1. 0. ST. MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST PARISH MINERSVILLE, PA
Rectory Office Hours: Monday to Friday 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Phone: (570) Fax: (570)
SAINT MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST WELCOMES ALL
No matter what your present status in the Catholic Church; no matter what your current family or marital situation; no matter what your past or present religious affiliation; no matter what your personal history, age, background, race, ethnicity, etc.; you are Invited, Welcomed, Accepted, Loved and Respected at Saint Matthew the Evangelist Parish!
SAFE ENVIRONMENT COORDINATOR: Sr. Meg Cole ( x19)
VICTIM ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR: Wendy S. Krisak (Direct: )
THE WEEKLY CALENDAR: I am the salvation of the people,
says the Lord. Should they cry for me in any distress,
I will hear them, and I will be their Lord for ever.
THE TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, SEPTEMBER
20 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 8:00 AM and 10:15 AM.
THE FAMILY PRAYER CHALICE FOR VOCATIONS (FPC):
Jesus told us to ask the Harvest Master to send laborers into
his harvest. May the prayers of our participating families bear
fruit. Thanks to ED AND LESLIE RUTECKI for hosting the FPC
for Vocations. Please sign up in Church Vestibule.
FAMILY PERSPECTIVE: Disagreements are common in families. But
what would you say if Jesus posed the same question “What are you arguing
about?” Is it silly and petty? Is it an attempt to impose your will and control on
Another? Today Jesus tells us and his disciples to give it up. We are meant to
serve each other, not control.
PRO-LIFE REFLECTION: There’s a difference between interest and
commitment.  When you’re interested in doing something,  you do it only when
it’s convenient.  When you’re committed to something, you accept no excuses;
only results.  Good intentions are not enough; the road to hell is paved with
good intentions.  Don’t delay.  Be committed; join the pro-life movement today.
STEWARDSHIP: “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all
and the servant of all.”  (Mark 9:35). Jesus teaches us that we are called to
serve one another.  Sacrifice is not a word that many people like to hear.  We
think it means that we must give up something that we want.  However, the
literal meaning of sacrifice is “to make holy,” from the words “sacer” = sacred
and “facere” = to make.   In other words, we make our lives holy by sharing our
gifts in the service of God. LAST WEEK YOU CONTRIBUTED: Sunday:
$2,936;Insurance: $408; Expenses: $4, Thank you for your generosity!
FRATERNAL CHARITY: ST. VINCENT DE PAUL FOOD PANTRY: Your
donation of CANNED MEATS will allow the SVDP Society to aid the needy of
our area. Volunteer to help our SVDP Society Outreach and God’s Bountiful
Table. Call Edward Butler at to volunteer.
VOTIVES: (1) SANCTUARY:IMO Jack Consugar by Family. (2) ALTARS:
BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: IMO John and Anna Dobles by Daughter, Carol;
Special Intention by Stan and Sally Gober; IMO Bosack and Willinsky Families
(2). DIVINE MERCY: For the Health of George Homa and Special Intention by
Wife and Family; For the Health of Nikki Royal by Helen, CoCo, Ang and
Allison; IMO Joseph Gober by Sister, Katherine. (3) BEFORE: ST. JOSEPH:
Special Intention. Call to memorialize votives.
THE ANNUAL DIOCESAN ANNIVERSARY MASS CELEBRATION:
3:00 PM, Cathedral of Saint Catherine of Sienna, Allentown. Couples
celebrated 5, 25, 40, 50, or 60 plus years of marriage are invited. Late
registrations call ext. 224 or 238.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 – FYI: Msgr. Handges will be saying Mass
Tuesday through Thursday this week. We thank him for his help! Pastoral
Note: Please note the change in Mass time today to 7:00 AM.
TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY
IN ORDINARY TIME,
SEPTEMBER 20, 2015
“Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist” there is the temptation to “best the just one” with “revilement and torture.” This is what Jesus reveals to his disciples he is to be “handed over to men and they will kill him.” The disciples’ staggering response is to squabble among themselves about “who was the greatest.” “Where do the conflicts among you come from?” From “your passions that make war within,” spurring us to “kill and envy.” Yet, for all our coveting, we do not possess. So Jesus puts his arms around a child. In order to receive this little one we must be pure, peaceable, gentle, full of mercy – so much better than fighting and waging war. We “have proof of his gentleness” in the desire to be gentle that Jesus generates in us.
Jesus, the Son of Man, is on the road which leads to his passion. Although his message jars the disciples’ expectations, he nevertheless strives to draw them after him. Unwittingly, and often unwillingly, they are to become messengers of a suffering Messiah. // “What were you discussing on the way home?” Jesus must have observed their lack of perception. They are arguing about who will be the greatest in that temporal kingdom which they anticipate. Accustomed to humiliation, they dream of advancement to positions of prestige and power. “You want to be the first?” says Jesus, “Become the last! You want to be great? Become small! You want to be masters? Become servants!” This paradox is based not on theoretical considerations but on the concrete example which the suffering servant himself never ceases to give. // And what do we discuss on the way home? Perhaps we too would be embarrassed if Jesus were to question us. In speaking about what is closest to our hearts, we reveal the depths of ourselves. You dream of authority, of power? Ask yourself how you will best serve others, how you will best help those in need. So must it be with every Christian eager to conform with Jesus.
WEEKDAY MASS AT 8:00 AM
MON – 7:00 AM – John and Anna Dobles by Daughter, Carol
TUE – Martin Turnowchyk, Jr. by Mary and Adele Grabusky
WED – Mary Callery (Estate)
THU – Nicholas and Helen Stoppi by Family
FRI – Scott Renninger by Family
SAT – 4:00 PM – Joseph and Betty Wentz by Aucker Family
SUN – 8:30 AM – Connie Stine Bluis (Birthday) by Family
10:30 AM – Living and Deceased Parishioners 0.
2015 BISHOP’S ANNUAL APPEAL: 183 parishioners (33.70% of our registered families) have contributed $19,147 (93% of our goal of $20,726). Remember, every gift counts, no matter how small. You can make your gift online at or drop your pledge form in the collection basket. Please show we are a Parish that cares by making your donation as soon as you possibly can!
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 – ST. MATTHEW RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM: 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM.
Good Shepherd Cafeteria. Contact our Coordinator of Religious Education, Rosalie Novack (570-
). SOME REGISTRATIONS ARE PAST DUE!
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 – DEVOTIONS TO ST. PEREGRINE:8:00 AM Mass. St. Peregrine, help cancer patients and caregivers!
GOD’S BOUNTIFUL TABLE: 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, Fr. Ricapito Annex ( ). Please volunteer your help!
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 – “SOUNDS OF THE SPIRIT” CONTEMPORARY CHOIR REHEARSAL:Call Greg at to join.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 7:45 AM.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 3:30PM. Did you bring your children to Confession before school began?
THE TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME,SEPTEMBER 27 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 8:00 AM,10:15 AM.

2. MINISTERS AT MASS FOR THE TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME.
THE FAMILY PRAYER CHALICE FOR VOCATIONS (FPC): RYAN AND CHRISTINA PLESNARSKI will host the
FPC this week. Call or sign-up in the Church Vestibule for November and December!
SECOND COLLECTION ENVELOPE: (1) CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT: Your contribution will help defray the cost of improvements for
all Parish buildings. (2) Please check your Sunday Church Envelope Boxes for the envelopes you might have missed. Kindly catch up! (3)
Please write the amount of your donation on your envelope. Thanks!
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
MINISTERS AT MASS FOR THE TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
OFF. PROC LECTORS E. M. of H. C ALTAR SERVERS
SAT 4:00 PM Wentz Family Al Boris Teresa Miller Alexandra Eades
Fletcher Eades
SUN 8:30 AM Bluis Family John Andruchek Sharon Kolenick Logan Perzel
Michael Perzel
10:30 AM Parishioners Linda Butensky Tom Mundy Olivia Osborne
Frank Melenchick
COMING EVENTS: Please be sure to mark your calendar!
SEPTEMBER 28, 29 – ANNUAL FORTY HOURS CELEBRATION DAY II AND DAY III.
SEPTEMBER 30 – FOOD PREPARATION: 9:00 AM, Parish Center, Prepare vegetables for soups. PLEASE LEND A HAND!
OCTOBER 2 – ST. MICHAEL’S FISH/CRAB DINNER: Advanced tickets only ( $10). Haddock or crab cake, french fries, green beans, cole
slaw, roll, beverage and dessert. Call or SMTA Parish Office at
OCTOBER 2, 3 – HARVEST FEST: St. Mary Church, Hamburg. October 2, 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM (Polka Mass at 4:30 PM); October 3, 12:00
PM to 9:00 PM. Food, fun and activities for all ages! Lots of indoor and outdoor activities. Located in Tilden Township (only 2 miles from
Cabela’s). For directions or more information call (
ST. JOHN’S CURIOSITY SHOP/YARD SALE: October 2, 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and October 3, 8:00 AM to12:00 Noon, Russell
Building. Various items, toys and games, jewelry, kitchen items, books, candles, vases, craft items, and much more. Food and
refreshments available. Call for more information.
OCTOBER 4 – FIRST PENANCE/FIRST COMMUNION AND CONFIRMATION ENROLLMENT MASS: 10:30 AM.
OCTOBER 5 – FEAST OF ST. FRANCIS: 8:00 AM Mass in the former St. Francis of Assisi Church. BLESSING OF ANIMALS: 6:00 PM.
OCTOBER 7 – GOD’S BOUNTIFUL TABLE: 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, Fr. Ricapito Annex ( ). Please volunteer your help!
OCTOBER 8 – ST. PATRICK’S SENIORS DINNER THEATER TRIP TO PENN’S PEAK IN MAUCH CHUNK: See and hear the music of the
Glenn Miller Band. Cost $75 includes transportation, a dinner consisting of their signature roast beef, baked chicken breast, veggies,
dessert and beverage, and the show! Call Joan ( ) or Alberta ( ) for information.
OCTOBER 11 – SPAGHETTI DINNER: 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, St. Nicholas Hall, Primrose. Cost $8.50 includes spaghetti, meatballs, salad,
Italian bread. Eat-in or take-out. Advance tickets only. Call
OCTOBER 14 – ST. MATTHEW’S TRAVELERS’ “VATICAN SPLENDORS” AT FRANKLIN INSTITUTE PHILADELPHIA BUS TRIP: Cost
$60. See more than 200 works of art and historically significant objects that together form a great mosaic of the history of the Church and
its impact on art, history, and culture.  From the sights and sounds of the grand Basilica to a touchable cast of Saint John Paul II’s hand,
embark on a journey through the ages of artistic expression and religious iconography. Includes many artifacts which have never left
Vatican City. The collection is composed of renaissance art along with work from the baroque period. The 11 galleries walk you through the
history of Christianity focusing on the Catholic Church and the amazing religious art that came out of Rome. An impressive focus in the
exhibition is on the Basilica of which Michelangelo and Bernini were key contributors. Bus leaves 7:30 AM. Stop off on way home to have
dinner in Douglasville. YOUR PAYMENT IS YOUR RESERVATION! Call Julie ( ) or Millie ( ).
OCTOBER 17, 18 – DIOCESAN COLLECTION: WORLD MISSION SUNDAY: This year, all our parishioners are invited to act in solidarity
with missionaries in India and throughout the world. Every day, faithful missionaries are reaching out in the name of Christ, offering
practical, emotional and spiritual care to communities, children and families in desperate need, bringing the light of Christ to the darkest of
circumstances. Use the Special Mission Sunday Envelope found in your envelope boxes. Please be generous!
OCTOBER 19 – ST. MATTHEW’S TRAVELERS’ SANDS CASINO BUS TRIP: Bus leaves R&J 7:45 AM; Quandel’s Lot, 8:15 AM; Bus departs
casino 4:00 PM. Cost $25; Rebate $35. Call Julie ( ) or Millie ( ).
NOVEMBER 11 – ANNUAL MASS OF REMEMBRANCE: 6:00 PM. God grant eternal rest to out deceased Parishioners!
DECEMBER 3 – ST. MATTHEW’S TRAVELERS’ RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR BUS TRIP: Call Julie ( ) or Millie
( ) for more information and to reserve your seat.
DECEMBER 16 – ST. MATTHEW’S TRAVELERS’ HOLLYWOOD CASINO BUS TRIP: Bus leaves R&J 7:45 AM; Quandel’s Lot, 8:15 AM;
Bus departs casino 4:00 PM. Cost $25; Rebate $35. Call Julie ( ) or Millie ( ).
MARCH 7, – ST. MATTHEW’S TRAVELERS’ PHILADELPHIA FLOWER SHOW BUS TRIP: Call Julie ( ) or Millie
MAY 9-13, 2016 – ST. MATTHEW’S TRAVELERS’ MONTREAL AND QUEBEC BUS TRIP: Call Julie ( ) or Millie (
5413) for more information and to reserve your seat.
SEPTEMBER, 2016 – ST. MATTHEW’S TRAVELERS’ CHICAGO OR SAVANNAH, GEORGIA BUS TRIP: Call Julie ( ) or Millie
ASSUMPTION BVM SCHOOL NEWS: 1) Welcoming any new registrations for the school year for grades K through 8. Call the
school office ( ) to schedule a visit. 2) Gift certificates for groceries, gas, and other necessities are sold in the school office.
Gift certificates are also available to help with tuition! No gift is more valuable than the gift of education. Call the school office (
0106) to inquire about the gift certificate programs. 3) Box Tops for Education can be placed in the receptacle in the Church vestibule.
Save your qualifying labels and box tops to help our school! Thanks!
ANNUAL FORTY HOURS CELEBRATION DAY I: (1) Memorializations of Vigils ($5 each) and
Flowers ($10 each) can be made by contacting the Rectory ( ). We would appreciate
your help in adorning our Church’s Altars with Vigils and Flowers. Thanks for caring! (2) Euchar-
istic Adoration Sign-Up Sheets can be found in the Church Vestibule. We need at least 2 people for
each half-hour interval for each of the three days of our Annual Forty Hours Celebration. Please
honor our Eucharistic Lord by your presence! (3) The Parish Forty Hours Offering Envelope can be
found with your September Envelopes. We would be grateful for your support of this spiritual
endeavor. Thanks for being the good and caring people that you are! GOD BLESS YOU!
OCTOBER 2, 3, 4 – SOUP AND BAKE SALE: Friday, 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM; Saturday, after 4:00
PM Mass; Sunday, after both 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM Masses. At our Parish Center. Call
for information. Benefits St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish.
NOVEMBER 8 – ST. MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST TOP-YOUR-OWN-PANCAKE BREAKFAST:
Parish Center. Information to follow.Call Mary ( ) or Maria ( ) to help.
DECEMBER 1 – 31 – SMTE HOLIDAY CALENDAR: PLEASE MAKE A MONETARY DONATION OR
OTHER GIFT IN KIND TO OUR CALENDAR! Call Julie Kubich ( ).
DECEMBER 16 – HOLIDAY FOOD SALE: Homemade pierogi and kielbasa. Pick-up 10:00 AM
to 2:00 PM today at the Parish Center. PRE-ORDER ONLY. More information to follow.