1. 0. ST. MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST PARISH MINERSVILLE, PA FOURTH SUNDAY
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 ( )
WEEKDAY MASS AT 8:00 AM
MON – Godmother, R. Orlosky by R.S.
TUE – 8:00 AM – Victoria Souky (Estate)
5:00 PM – John Sokola by Wife, Mary Ann and Sons, Brian and Neil
WED – Mary Davis by Joan and Michael Yourey
THU – Gerald Malusky by Geraldine Feichtel
FRI – Living and Deceased Members of the Parish Memorial Society
SAT – 4:00 PM – Andrew Botek by Wife, Bertha
SUN – 8:30 AM – A.J. Drebitko by Leo and Sharon
10:30 AM – Living and Deceased Parishioners
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REQUIESCAT IN PACE: May Jesus, the Word Made Flesh, take unto Himself:
BERTHA A. TASSONE, a former member of the former St. Stanislaus Kostka
Parish, who died Thursday, January 29, and will be buried from our Church
Wednesday, February 4. May Mary, Mother of Our Savior, comfort Bertha’s
family and friends.
***********************************************************************************************THE WEEKLY CALENDAR: Save us, o Lord our God!/ And gather us
from the nations,/ to give thanks to your holy name,/ and make it
our glory to praise you. (Ps 106 (105):47)
FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, FEBRUARY 1 – 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 BOB AND TONI PLESNARKSI for hosting the FPC
for Vocations this week. Please sign up in Church vestibule.
FAMILY PERSPECTIVE: Today’s gospel reminds us “unclean spirits” still
haunt our families. These “spirits” thrive inside our grudges, punishing silence,
impatience and abruptness. Today Jesus offers you the “authority” to cast out
these spirits from your life and your family.
PRO-LIFE REFLECTION: Abortion is at the core of the “affordable health
care” act.  We need affordable health care, but not at the expense of the
unborn, the elderly, and the infirm.   Pray that our legislators will deliver to us
affordable health care without abortion and euthanasia.
STEWARDSHIP: “Brothers and sisters: I should like you to be free of
anxieties.” – 1 Corinthians 7:32. How much anxiety do we bring upon
ourselves by constantly worrying about not having enough or attaining more
things? God won’t necessarily give you everything you want, but He will
provide everything you need. Try this – use the word “pray” instead of the word
“worry” in the future. LAST WEEK YOU CONTRIBUTED: Sunday: $2,630;
Capital Improvement: $387; Expenses: $4, Thank you!
FRATERNAL CHARITY: ST. VINCENT DE PAUL FOOD PANTRY –
Your donation of all TYPES OF CANNED GOODS 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
VOTIVES: (1) SANCTUARY: Intentions of Pat Consugar (Available
Dates: March 15, 29, April 26, October 4, 18) (2) ALTARS: BLESSED
VIRGIN MARY: Special Intention by Stan and Sally Gober; For the Health of
George Homa and Special Intention by Wife and Family; IMO Rev. Ignatius
FOURTH SUNDAY
IN ORDINARY TIME
FEBRUARY 1, 2015
What can free us from being “anxious about
the things of the world”? The authority of
Jesus who “commands even the unclean
spirits and they obey him.” The people in the
time of Moses begged for such a prophet.
That promise is fulfilled definitively in Jesus
Christ whose authority astonishes the
assembled crowd. “If today you hear his
voice,” adhere “to the Lord without
distraction.” “To him you shall listen,”
because obeying the authority of Christ
makes us more human and fills us with a
burning desire for things truly great.
After Easter this region will become the point
of origin for the Church’s universal mission. //
In today’s gospel Jesus goes to the
synagogue and teaches there. After the
scribe’s catechesis on the Law, Jesus no
doubt reads a prophetic text and gives the
homily as he did at Nazareth (Luke 4:16). He
provokes wonder and astonishment in his
hearers. Unlike the scribes, who were anxious
to explain the letter of the Law on the basis of
commentaries received from their masters,
Jesus speaks from his own authority. He
confirms that authority when he heals the
man with an unclean spirit. That healing
gives rise to the question, “Who is this man?”
// Many are uneasy with such healing
miracles. Medicine and depth psychology
seem to reduce to a purely natural pathology
what antiquity attributed to the supernatural
world. Yet many scientists recognize that
there is more to the human than the eye can
see. Thus we should not fall into the trap of a
new reductionism by having recourse
exclusively to the empirical sciences. Like
the people in Capernaum, we who live in a
technological age must confront the same
question, “Who is this man?” 0.
Jesus spends the Sabbath at Capernaum with his first disciples. There he mani-fests his extra-ordinary authority as much by his teaching as by healing the pos-sessed and sick. Thus, from the very beginning of his ministry, his fame spreads through Galilee.
Szal (Birthday Anniversary) by Dennis and Diane Frank; Happy 58th Wedding Anniversary in Heaven Mom and Dad by Lynn Ann and
Cindy. DIVINE MERCY: IMO Joseph Bobby by Aldona and Ed. (3) BEFORE: ST. ANTHONY: IMO John Sokola by the Dudash Family.
ST. JOSEPH: Special Intention. SACRED HEART: Intentions of Gregory Tatusko by Grandmother. Call for votives.
FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2 – In accordance with Jewish Law, Jesus was
presented in the Temple forty days after His birth, and two doves were sacrificed. The Prophets Simeon and
Anna recognized the Christ-Child as the long-awaited Messiah. On this day, also called Candlemas, candles are
blessed to acclaim Christ as the light of the world. Candles for home use will be blessed and can be found
in our Sanctuary this coming weekend. The offering per box is $5.00.
THE FEAST OF ST. BLAISE, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3 – In honor of St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr, Patron Saint of those afflicted with
ailments of the throat, the blessing of throats will take place within today’s 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM Masses!
ST. MATTHEW RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM: 6:00 PM in the Good Shepherd Building. Any questions, contact our
Coordinator of Religious Education, Rosalie Novack ( ). Absences call
MANDATORY PARENTS’ CONFIRMATION MEETING: 6:15 PM, Good Shepherd Chapel Room.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4 – DEVOTIONS TO ST. PEREGRINE: 8:00 AM Mass. St. Peregrine help cancer patients and their caregivers!
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5 – “SOUNDS OF THE SPIRIT” CONTEMPORARY CHOIR: New members are needed! Call
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 7:45 AM.
EUCHARISTIC HOLY HOUR: Immediately following today’s 8:00 AM Mass, there will be Eucharistic Exposition, Adoration, and
Benediction. Come and pray for vocations to the Priesthood and Consecrated Life from our Parish and Diocese.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 3:30 PM. Continue in this New Year by making a good Confession!
FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, FEBRUARY 8 – SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: 8:00 AM and 10:15 AM.
THE FAMILY PRAYER CHALICE FOR VOCATIONS (FPC): EDWARD AND LESLIE RUTECKI will host the FPC this

2. MINISTERS AT MASS FOR THE FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
week. Call or sign-up in the Church Vestibule. We also need host families for March and April!
NATIVITY BVM HIGH SCHOOL SOPHY JEWELER BINGO: Doors open 11:30 AM; Bingo starts 1:00 PM. $25 for 15 regular games,
4 specials. Jackpot, homemade food, desserts, beverages. Call for information.
HALUPKI DINNER: 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, St. Nicholas Hall, Primrose. $9.50 per platter includes: halupki, filling, mashed potatoes,
green beans and roll. Eat-in or take-out. Advance tickets only by calling
SECOND COLLECTION ENVELOPE: FUEL: Your contribution will help defray the cost of heating oil for all parish buildings. Thanks!
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MINISTERS AT MASS FOR THE FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
OFF. PROC LECTORS E. M. of H. C ALTAR SERVERS
SAT 4:00 PM Botek Family Tom Mundy Frank Melenchick Alexandra Eades
Fletcher Eades
SUN 8:30 AM Drebitko Family Michael Novack Teresa Miller Emily Purcell
Abby Schoffstall
10:30 AM Parishioners Marge Walasavage Lori Hoffman Bella Kuehn Gabriel Kuehn
COMING EVENTS: Please be sure to mark your calendar!
FEBRUARY 11 – GOD’S BOUNTIFUL TABLE: 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, Fr. Ricapito Annex.
NATIVITY BVM HIGH SCHOOL TUITION ASSISTANCE PRESENTATION: 6:30 PM. Members of the Nativity community will be
available to answer questions. No pre-registration required. All are welcome! Call with any questions.
FEBRUARY 12 – MONTHLY ROSARY: 6:15 PM, Church. Jesus taught that praying with others is especially powerful as He is there within
our midst during these times (Matthew 18:20). This is true for the Rosary. Whenever you have the opportunity, pray it with others. Join us!
ST. MATTHEW’S TRAVELERS’ SANDS CASINO BUS TRIP: Pay $23; Rebate $30. Bus leaves R&J 8:30 AM; Quandel’s in
Minersville 9:00 AM. Bus departs casino 4:00 PM. Call Julie ( ) or Millie ( ) for information.
BRANCHDALE CITIZENS FIRE COMPANY FISH DINNER: Cost $11 includes choice of Broiled Haddock or Crabcake. Dessert
included. For tickets call Pick-up and tickets are also available at Anne’s Bakery.
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST LENTEN DINNERS: Every Friday in Lent in the Russell Building, Pottsville. Full course includes New
England Clam Chowder, Full Salad Bar, choice of Macaroni and Cheese, Baked or Mashed Potatoes, Choice of Vegetables, Homemade
Dessert, Beverage, and your choice of Fish or Crab Cake. Prices, $8 to $16. Call
FEBRUARY 26 – PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN WORKSHOP: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Nativity BVM H.S.Call Margie Young ( ).
MARCH 7 – CONFIRMATION RETREAT: 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM at St. Michael Parish Center. Parent Session: 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM.
APRIL 8 – CONFIRMATION: 4:30 PM, St. Michael the Archangel Church, for St, Michael, St. Matthew, Most Blessed Trinity Parishes. Bishop
Cullen will be Confirming our children.
APRIL 21 – MANDATORY PARENTS’ FIRST COMMUNION MEETING: 6:15 PM, Good Shepherd Chapel Room.
MAY – ST. MATTHEW’S TRAVELERS’ VIRGINIA BEACH BUS TRIP: $479 per person, double occupancy includes: 3 nights hotel
accommodations, 3 full breakfasts, 3 dinners including all-you-can-eat seafood buffet, visit to Fort Monroe Casemate Museum
Williamsburg Pottery, Yankee Candle Village, Douglas MacArthur Memorial, Norfolk Naval Base, Hampton Roads Naval Museum, beach
and boardwalk. Motorcoach transportation. Baggage handling, meal gratuities and hotel taxes included. YOUR PAYMENT IS YOUR
RESERVATION! Call Julie ( ) or Millie ( ).
JULY 6 – 8 – ST. MATTHEW’S TRAVELERS’ PITTSBURG EXPRESS BUS TRIP: $429 per person, double occupancy includes: 2 nights
lodging, 2 breakfasts, 2 dinners including a dinner at the Grand Concourse, Duquesne Incline, Gateway Clipper cruise, Guided tour of
Pittsburgh including University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning, Nationality Rooms, Heinz Memorial Chapel, Tour of Phipps
Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Frank Lloyd Wright’s “Fallingwater”, Visit to Flight 93 Memorial, souvenir gift. Motorcoach
transportation. Baggage handling, meal gratuities and hotel taxes included. YOUR PAYMENT IS YOUR RESERVATION! Call Julie (570-
) or Millie ( ).
SEPTEMBER – ST. MATTHEW’S TRAVELERS’ WILDWOOD SEAFOOD FEAST BUS TRIP: $399 per person, double occupancy
includes: 3 nights motel accommodations, 3 full breakfasts, 3 dinners including all-you-can-eat seafood buffet featuring a DJ and over 50
different buffet items, one $20 meal credit valid for a 3 course price-fixed meal at Breadsticks in Resorts Casino, one dinner at a local
restaurant, a trip to Atlantic City casino with a bonus package, visit to Washington Street Mall in Cape May, visit to Smithville Village,
Wildwoods' famous beach and boardwalk. Motorcoach transportation. Baggage handling, meal gratuities and hotel taxes included. YOUR
PAYMENT IS YOUR RESERVATION! Call Julie ( ) or Millie ( ).
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE SICK: A) In commemoration of The Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, we will have Communal
Anointing of the Sick within today’s 12:15 PM Mass. REQUIREMENTS FOR RECEIVING THE SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING
OF THE SICK: (1) You must be a baptized Catholic in the state of grace who has attained the use of reason (children who have not
made their first Communion and infants are generally not anointed). (2) Your health must be impaired by sickness or advancing age.
Practically speaking, you can and should be anointed: (a) If you are suffering from a chronic (long lasting) illness. (b) If you are about to
undergo major surgery. (c) If you are suffering from depression or any form of mental illness. Call to register. THIS IS A
MUST! B) Holy Mass will be celebrated and the patients anointed at 10:00 AM at Golden Living Center, York Terrace.
FEBRUARY 15 – CATHOLIC HOME MISSIONS APPEAL INCLUDING BLACK AND INDIAN MISSIONS: One
way that this appeal works to strengthen home mission dioceses in the United States is by funding
seminarian formation in poor dioceses. The blessing of seminarians places a financial burden on
these dioceses, where educating each seminarian costs $35-40K per year. Your support is needed
for these young men so that they might go back and serve their parishes. Please strengthen the
Church at home by making a generous gift to this weekend’s appeal. Remember to use the special
Home Mission Envelope found in your envelope boxes. Place envelope in the Second Collection.
FOOD PREPARATION: 9:30 AM, Parish Center. Peel and slice onions! Lend us a hand!
FEBRUARY 16 – FOOD PREPARATION: 9:00 AM, Parish Center. Prepare Vegetables for Soup! Help us!
FEBRUARY 18 – FOOD PREPARATION: 9:00 AM, Parish Center. Make Halushki! Everyone Welcome!
FEBRUARY 19 – FOOD PREPARATION: 5:00 PM, Parish Center. Make bleenie batter! Please help us!
FEBRUARY 20 – LENTEN FOOD SALE: 12:00 Noon to 3:00 PM, Parish Center. Eat-in or take-out. To
place take out orders call the Parish Center ( ) from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Friday
only. Help is needed to fry bleenies, cook pierogi, serve customers, pack orders, deliver business
orders and clean up. Your home baked goodies would be appreciated for our dessert table and can
be brought to the Parish Center between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. NEXT SALE MARCH 6.
FEBRUARY 28 – WOMEN’S LENTEN MORNING OF PRAYER: 8:30 AM Confessions; 9:00 AM Mass
followed by breakfast and reflection in our Parish Center. Free-will offering accepted. Sr. Natalya
Stoczanyn, S.S.M.I., St. Nicholas Convent, Minersville, guest speaker. Sister’s topic will be “The
Value of the Charism of Consecrated Life in Toady’s Church and some insights into the Holy Season
of Lent from the Eastern Church Perspective.” Please call ( ) if you are attending to
allow us to prepare adequately for the breakfast. We hope you can join us!