SAINT PETER CHURCH

ELIZABETHTOWN, PA SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME JULY 26, 2020

1

Dear friends,

Faith Seeks Understanding

By the time you pick up this hard copy of the bulletin to read this Saturday/Sunday, fifteen of our parish youths must

have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. They must have heard a version of my homily for the seventeenth Sunday of

the ordinary time. The topic of my homily at confirmation this Saturday morning is the gifts of the Holy Spirit with emphasis

on understanding, knowledge and wisdom. I made a case for the necessity of these gifts to the confirmandi. They will need

them as they embark on lifelong efforts to make sense of the mystery of the Kingdom of God, the mystery of faith.

I told them they would have a lot of questions regarding the faith they have embraced totally in freedom. They

would sometimes have doubts about God and the Church along the way, and they would ask pertinent and intelligent

questions about the experience of evil and struggle with sin. But I made it clear to them that the Bible, Catholic Tradition

and the Magisterium of the Church are a sure guarantee that our Catholic faith is a gift and a reasonable way to navigate

the questions regarding mysteries of life. There will be questions, but the Holy Spirit will strengthen them in the moments of

weakness and enlighten them when they are in the dark. The spiritual gifts of understanding, knowledge and wisdom are

vital to responding meaningfully to questions related to Christian faith; ours is a faith seeking understanding.

The 11th-century Christian philosopher and theologian, St. Anselm of Canterbury taught us the principle of strengthening our

faith by continually seeking a more profound knowledge of God who loves us. He penned the famous quote, "fides quaerens

intellectum/faith seeking understanding". The gifts of the Holy Spirit would help us respond to questions about the kingdom of

heaven, questions about Christian faith; it will help us make sense of the vicissitudes of life and answer the question of what is morally

right or wrong. Just like Solomon, let us ask God for the gift of wisdom and understanding so that we "may know what is right" and

what his commandments mean (1 Kg 3:10; Ps.119:130). Gifts of wisdom, knowledge and understanding help us to see and accept the

gift of faith as a path to eternal happiness and the willingness to give up all other life-pursuits to have this "pearl of great

price" ( Mathew 13:46).

Join me in congratulating and praying for our parish's newly confirmed boys and girls who received these gifts of the Holy

Spirit to strengthen them to bear witness boldly to the kingdom of heaven, the greatest treasure they would ever possess. May the

Holy Spirit always lead and guide you: Bailey Elizabeth, Maximilian Patrick, Trevor Adjutor, Gillia Cosmos, Emma Cecilia, Annabelle

Cecilia, Reagan Elizabeth, Liana Cecilia, Mason Michael, Morgan Dymphna, Samuel Bernard, Rose Agnes, Joseph Sebastian, Mary

Therese, Gabriel Blaise and Kendall Mary.

In Christ, Fr. Bernard Oniwe, OP

SAINT PETER CHURCH

ELIZABETHTOWN, PA SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME JULY 26, 2020

2

Altar Flowers

In Celebration of

Joseph & Amie Barone’s Wedding Anniversary

Given by the Barone Family ~

The Blessed Mother Flowers

&

The St Joseph Flowers In Celebration of

Joseph & Amie Barone’s

Wedding Anniversary

Given by the Barone Family

DAILY MASS: HISTORIC CHURCH (HC)

WEEKEND MASSES: CHURCH (C) & PARISH HALL (PH)

SAT, JULY 25 VIGIL 5:00 PM Peter Stone (C) Norcott Family SUN JULY 26 8:30 AM For the Health & Well Being of our Parish Family & Nation (PH) 10:30 AM For the Health & Well Being of our Parish Family & Nation (C) MON, JULY 27 8:00 AM Michael Torres (HC) Julie Torres TUE, JULY 28 8:00 AM Dolores Ryan (HC) Ryan Family WED, JULY 29 8:00 AM Living Intentions of Linda Itzoe (HC) Religious Education Program THUR, JULY 30 8:00 AM Living intentions of Robin Ott (HC) (Mary Gottfried FRI, JULY 31 8:00 AM Frank Dunleavy (HC) CCW SAT, AUG 1 VIGIL 5:00 PM Kyle Ingham (HC) Mom & Dad SUN AUG 2 8:30 AM For the Health & Well Being of our Parish Family & Nation (PH) 10:30 AM For the Health & Well Being of our Parish Family & Nation (C) Live Stream

OUR SANCTUARY CANDLES ILLUMINATE THIS WEEK FOR:

~ HISTORIC CHURCH ~

In Loving Memory of

Leo & Irene Tilmont

Given by the Telenko Family

~ CHURCH ~

In Loving Memory of

Ben Yeckley

Given by Ann Shank

THANK YOU TO OUR BULLETIN SPONSOR OF THE WEEK

MILLER-FINKENBINDER Funeral Home & Crematory

Thomas W. Ford Supervisor

717-367-1543

www.finkenbinderfamiy.com

ST PETER PARISH MISSION STATEMENT

We are the church of St. Peter committed to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ through

prayer, service, scripture and sacrament in the living Catholic and apostolic tradition.

We welcome all to walk with us on this journey of faith.

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

God invites us to ask for what we need. Consider what Solomon requested – an understanding heart. What do you need as you seek to follow Jesus? (1 Kings 3:5, 7-12). If God may be calling you to the priesthood or consecrated life, visit our website at www.hbgdiocese.org, call Father Jonathan Sawicki at (717) 657-4804, or write: frjsawicki@hbgdiocese.org.

SAINT PETER CHURCH

ELIZABETHTOWN, PA SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME JULY 26, 2020

3

Donations Needed For Interfaith Shelter for Homeless Families

Interfaith Shelter for Homeless Families (a Catholic Charities residential program in suburban Harrisburg) is in need of the following donations: trash bags (39-gallon

size), aluminum foil, ketchup, paper plates, paper cups (hot and cold), paper bowls, napkins, plastic spoons, and plastic forks. Donations can be delivered to the Diocesan Center (4800 Union Deposit Road in Harrisburg) or call the shelter at 717-652-8740 to make arrangements. Thank you for your generosity!

Scripture Readings for the Week of July 26, 2020

Sunday Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time 1 Kgs 3:5, 7-12; Ps 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130; Rom 8:28-30; Mt 13:44-52 or Mt 13:44-46 Monday Jer 13:1-11; Dt 32:18-19, 20, 21; Mt 13:31-35 Tuesday Jer 14:17-22; Ps 79:8, 9, 11 and 13; Mt 13:36-43 Wednesday Memorial of Saint Martha Jer 15:10, 16-21; Ps 59:2-3, 4, 10-11, 17, 18; Jn 11:19-27 or Lk 10:38-42 Thursday Saint Peter Chrysologus, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Jer 18:1-6; Ps 146:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6ab; Mt 13:47-53

Friday Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest Jer 26:1-9; Ps 69:5, 8-10, 14; Mt 13:54-58 Saturday Memorial of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church Jer 26:11-16, 24; Ps 69:15-16, 30-31, 33-34; Mt 14:1-12 Sunday Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Is 55:1-3; Ps 145:8-9, 15-16, 17-18; Rom 8:35, 37-39; Mt 14:13-21

JULY 19, 2020

SUNDAY ONLINE $ 6,300.00 SUNDAY ENVELOPES $ 4,774.88 TOTAL SUNDAY $ 11,074.88 SAINT VINCENT DEPAUL $ 130.00

SECOND COLLECTIONS

Mission Cooperative Collection

YOUTH MESSAGES OF STEWARDSHIP & TALENT”

“I helped my neighbor with a project.” “I picked up trash outside the Church.”

“I helped Alex get dressed.” “I helped my sister put on her bracelet.”

++++++++++++++

GROWING OUR FAITH & STRENGTHENING OUR MINISTRY CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

TOTAL AMOUNT PLEDGED: $2,105,144.48

TOTAL PAID TO DATE: $ 1,754,325.42

TOTAL DUE: $ 350,819.06

Thank you for your continued support!

2020 MEN’S CLUB CALENDAR WINNER

Ginnie Schroll, Hailey Figliola & Tim Henry

OFFICE NEWS

~ The September issue of the WORD among us, Daily Meditations for Catholics, is available on a table in the Narthex and on a table outside the Parish Hall. ~ Current Missalettes are also available on the tables. If you take one please keep it with you. ~ Sacrament of Reconciliation is available on Saturdays at 4:00pm. ~ Sunday drive-up Communion is available from the end of 10:30 Mass until noon! ~ Staff is in the Parish Office Monday -Thursday, 10:00-2:00.

Across: The Father Tolton Movie On Friday, July 31 at 6:30 there will be a short film viewing about the boyhood of the first African American priest and his attempt to escape slavery in 1863. Film will be followed by historical presentation about Venerable Augustine Tolton and Q&A with Writer/Director Christopher Foley. Bishop Ronald Gainer and Bishop Joseph Perry, postulator for the Fr. Tolton canonization cause, will join our discussion. Screening and presentation

will be offered using the zoom platform on Friday, July 31, 2020 at 6:30 PM. To receive the zoom link to access the presentation, please register online by visiting https://hbgdiocese.formstack.com/forms/across_the_father_tolton_movie. Youth groups are encouraged to join us and learn about one of America’s unknown heroes. For additional information, contact Jackie Curran at jcurran@hbgdiocese.org. Thank you!

SAINT PETER CHURCH ELIZABETHTOWN, PA SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME JULY 26, 2020

4

COMMUNITY NEWS United Churches Elizabethtown Area

⬧ The Community Cupboard is back and allowing clients to shop or do curb-side pick up.

⬧ The Clothing Barn is open; clients need to make an appointment to shop.

⬧ Meals on Wheels is in need of more drivers. Contact Kent Bates, batemo1@comcast.net if interested.

⬧ UCEA is looking for a Campus Manager. Please call the Parish Office for a job description.

PRAYER DURING A PANDEMIC

O clement, O loving, O sweet Mother Mary,

We, your children of every nation,

Turn to you in this pandemic.

Our troubles are numerous; our fears are great.

Grant that we might deposit them at your feet,

Take refuge in your Immaculate Heart,

And obtain peace, healing, rescue,

And timely help in all our needs. You are our Mother.

Pray for us to your Son. Amen.

GOD’S HOUSEKEEPERS Saturday, August 01, 2020

Marie Strait, Patty Worrall, Ginny Blazer, Bill & Cheryl Dechant

Thank you for keeping our Church beautiful!!

“Some people are so foolish that they think they can go

through life without the help of the Blessed Mother. Love the Madonna and pray the rosary, for the rosary is the weapon against the evils of the world today. All graces

given by God pass through the Blessed Mother.”

~ Saint Padre Pio

MASS ATTENDANCE

JULY 18 & 19, 2020

Saturday Vigil Mass 5:00 - 71

Sunday Masses 8:30 - 52 10:30 - 97

Streaming - 179 Views

Holy Communion Mass 459 Views

Congratulations to our newly Confirmed

students who were sealed with the Gifts of

the Holy Spirit on Saturday

Joseph Sebastian Barb

Mason Michael Blazer

Mary Therese Bolesky

Morgan Dymphna Conway

Reagan Elizabeth Cook

Rose Agnes Cramer

Liana Cecilia Endy

Bailey Elizabeth Grinnell

Maximilian Patrick Mikula

Trevor Adjutor Nolen

Giulia Cosmos Piermattei

Annabelle Cecilia Price

Emma Cecilia Randazzo

Kendall Mary Riegler

Gabriel Blaise Rottet

Samuel Bernard Yoder

May they grow as good stewards of faith and

commitment to our Church.

2020 St Peter Guardian Angel

At St Peter Parish we are committed to Catholic Education and we are blessed to have our Guardian Angel Program that provides financial assistance to families who choose to send their children to Catholic School. The 2020-2021 school year applications are now available and can be

found on our website under Education or in the parish office. Deadline application is July 31st. We are very proud of this program and very thankful for the generous donations from parishioners and the proceeds from the SCRIP Gift Card program. If you would like to donate to the Guardian Angel Fund, please send your contribution to the office marked Guardian Angel.

Thank you!

Parish Council is asking that we do not drive over or park on the grass. We appreciate everyone's attention to this request. Please take an extra minute to back up when leaving the parking lot. Let’s keep our Church beautiful!

Thank you