Tag: Retreat

Around the Parish – October 29, 2023

Written by on October 28, 2023. Posted in Around the Parish, News.

Normally we have adoration in our parish on First Friday, but due to another commitment in the Diocese, I am unable to hold this holy hour this month. We will resume our monthly holy hour on Friday, December 1.

A blast was had at the corn maze last Sunday. Pictures of the fun can be seen in our bulletin this weekend.

A reminder that this Wednesday is a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses for All Saints Day will be at 8:00am and 6:00pm. Please make sure you attend mass for this Holy Day.

On Thursday, we celebrate All Souls Day. On this special day we remember and pray for all the deceased. This special day is reserved for all the holy souls in purgatory as they are made clean before they enter into the joys of Heaven. Our masses for All Souls Day will be at 8:00am and 6:00pm. At 6:00pm, we will in a special way pray for the deceased from this past year. Please join us in praying for our beloved dead.

Next Sunday, daylight savings time ends, so the clocks fall back one hour on Sunday November 5 at 2:00 am. Make sure that you note the time change or else you might make it to mass an hour early!

I want to take the opportunity to really encourage our parish community, especially our high school age students and our young adults to consider participating in the Divine Mercy Encounter retreat on November 10-12. This retreat was and is an important part of my spiritual journey and one that is worth spending the weekend at. All ages 15 and up are invited and encouraged to attend. It is a wonderful weekend to experience the love of God and have a time to socialize with other people in the faith. At this moment of crazy in the world and in our lives, I think now is the perfect moment to step away and take some time with God to reconnect to what is most important. Join me this special weekend away at Saint Joseph Church in Erie. More information is found in this weekend’s bulletin.

Here’s a couple of thoughts for your week: Don’t stop because you are tired; stop when you can be proud of your accomplishments. Cherish yesterday, plan for tomorrow, but live in today. The road to success is always under construction.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

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Around the Parish – October 22, 2023

Written by on October 21, 2023. Posted in News, Around the Parish.

Join us next Saturday after our 5 pm vigil mass for a delightful pumpkin carving extravaganza! Please RSVP to ensure we have enough pizza and pumpkins for everyone, and if you can, bring a little something to share. Our evening will culminate with a heartwarming screening of “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!” Your presence will make this gathering all the more special. We can’t wait to see you there!

As we approach the celebration of All Souls Day this year, we extend a heartfelt invitation to all to contribute a picture of your dearly departed loved ones to grace our sanctuary. You may drop off these cherished mementos following the Sunday Masses over the next two weeks or at any convenient time during the week in the sacristy after mass. To ensure all pictures fit, kindly limit the size to 5×7. Don’t forget to label your photo with your name and contact information to ensure its safe return. These portraits will remain in our sanctuary until the weekend of November 5.

While on your way to the grocery store, if you can spare a moment, we kindly request your support for our Sharing Shed Thanksgiving distribution. Your contribution would be greatly appreciated based on the first letter of your last name: A-D – Stuffing Mix, E-H – Canned Vegetables, I-M – Instant Potatoes, N-Q – Cranberry Sauce, R-U – Macaroni & Cheese, V-Z – Sweet Potatoes. Your generosity will brighten the holiday season for those in need within our community.

Here’s a couple of thoughts for your week:

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

Cling to your faith and press on, for it’s in the storms of life that you’ll discover the strength of your anchor. With unwavering trust in God’s promises, your perseverance will carry you through, and you’ll emerge stronger and more resilient than ever before.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

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Around the Parish – October 15, 2023

Written by on October 14, 2023. Posted in Around the Parish, News.

We are coming up on the Holy Day of Obligation of All Saints Day. Our Mass schedule for All Saints will be Wednesday, November 1 @ 8am and 6pm. Masses for All Souls Day will be Thursday, November 2 @ 8am and 6pm. At the 6pm mass, we will have our annual memorial of all the deceased of our parish in the past year. Included in the bulletin is a list of all our beloved deceased. If you wish to include anyone from outside the parish in our list, please email the parish office including the name of the deceased and the date of their death.

With this celebration of All Saints and All Souls days, we recognize these special celebrations that are surrounded with much mystery and mysticism. A way that we as humans have come to understand these celebrations can be seen in the Mexican tradition of Dia de los Muertos. Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in Mexico involves the creation of an ofrenda or “altar of the dead” to honor deceased loved ones. This elaborately decorated altar features photographs of the departed as a central focus. Candles and marigold flowers illuminate the ofrenda and guide spirits back to the living world. Incense purifies the environment, and sugar skulls (calaveras de azúcar) serve as colorful decorations. Favorite foods and drinks, including the special Pan de Muerto bread, are provided for the spirits. Personal items, religious symbols, and papel picado (decorative paper) may also adorn the altar. The ofrenda is a heartfelt way to remember and honor the deceased, creating a connection with them during this unique and culturally rich holiday.

This year, for the celebration of All Souls Day, we wish to invite everyone to bring in a picture of their deceased loved ones to be placed in the sanctuary. We ask that you drop off a picture of your loved one either following the Sunday Masses these next two weeks, or any time during the week in the sacristy following mass. We ask that your picture is no larger than 5×7 so that we can adequately fit everyone’s pictures. Please make sure to put your name and contact information on the back of the picture so as to make sure the safe return of the portrait. These pictures will remain in our sanctuary through the weekend of November 5.

On November 5, we will have a special Family Faith Formation day where Antonio and Nelly Sosa-Ramirez along with their family will be presenting the understanding and history of Dia de los Muertos and how we can celebrate this very Catholic and very spiritually rich holiday in our families and our community. Please plan on attending this special day!

Here’s a couple of thoughts for your week: Remember, breakdowns can create breakthroughs. Sometimes, things fall apart so that other things can fall into place. Sometimes you have to fight through your worst days in order to earn the best days of your life. Don’t give up!

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

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Around the Parish – October 8, 2023

Written by on October 7, 2023. Posted in News, Around the Parish.

This Monday, October 9, is a national holiday of Columbus Day, and therefore our parish office will be closed. We hope all of our students and families who are off from school and work this Monday enjoy their extra day!

As mentioned in the bulletin last week, we will begin a seven week look at the different relics in our church. We are blessed to have seven different relics in our church, two of which are located inside the main altar of our church. This week, we take a look at Saint Maria Goretti.

A reminder to our parish families, all students and their families are invited to our annual trip to the Cool Springs Corn Maze. Lunch will be provided after the 11a mass. Transportation will not be provided, so all families will need to find their own transportation. The parish will pay for the students participating. To sign up, please visit the Faith Formation office or call the parish office by October 19.

Here’s a couple of thoughts for your week: Just because your life may not have turned out the way you’d planned, it doesn’t mean that it won’t turn out OK. It’s hard for a person to beat depression, but it’s even harder for depression to beat a person who never gives up. The most beautiful thing in the world is a smile that has struggled through tears. Today, you don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to know what to do next.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

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Around the Parish – October 1, 2023

Written by on September 30, 2023. Posted in Around the Parish, News.

In the northern hemisphere, the arrival of fall heralds a profound transformation in the natural world. As the vibrant colors of summer give way to the warm and earthy hues of autumn, we are reminded of the cyclical nature of life and the inevitable passage of time. It is during this season that we are particularly attuned to the signs of death and decay that surround us. The once-lush foliage now falls to the ground, decaying and returning to the earth from which it came. The days grow shorter, and the chill in the air serves as a harbinger of the approaching winter.

In the Catholic Faith, this recognition of death and decay in the natural world is closely tied to the observance of All Saints Day on November 1st. All Saints Day is a time when Catholics honor and celebrate the lives of the saints, the holy men and women who have gone before us and serve as examples of faith and virtue. It is a day to remember those who have lived lives of great holiness and have now found eternal rest in the presence of God.

The connection between the changing seasons and All Saints Day lies in the symbolism of death and rebirth. Just as the fallen leaves will eventually give way to new growth in the spring, so too do the lives of the saints inspire us to strive for spiritual renewal and transformation. In the midst of the autumnal decay, we are reminded that death is not the end, but rather a transition to a new and eternal life. This season of reflection and remembrance encourages us to emulate the saints’ virtues, seeking to lead lives of faith, compassion, and service to others. In doing so, we hope to one day join the ranks of the saints in the heavenly kingdom, where the eternal spring of God’s love and grace knows no end.

In the Catholic Church, we hold the lives of the saints in high regard, so much so that we sometimes keep relics of saints. Relics hold a significant place in the Catholic Church as tangible connections to the lives of saints and the divine. These physical remains or objects associated with saints, such as bone fragments, clothing, or personal belongings, serve as powerful reminders of the faith’s rich history and the lives of those who have exemplified devotion.

In the next few weeks in our bulletin, we will be talking more about Saints and Relics as we prepare for the celebration of All Saints and All Souls. We will talk about the specific relics present here in our church for veneration, and the lives of those particular saints.

Here are a couple of thoughts for the week ahead: Never forget that walking away from something unhealthy is a very brave thing to do – even if you stumble a little on your way out the door. Stop beating yourself up. You are a work in progress, which means you get there a little at a time, not all at once.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

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Around the Parish – September 24, 2023

Written by on September 23, 2023. Posted in News, Around the Parish.

As you may have already heard, this past Monday, September 18, my maternal Grandmother Mary Church passed into eternal life. I truly appreciate all of the prayers and continued support and understanding during this time. I spent the week with family and friends in Erie as we prepared for the funeral services.

An important bit of information that we should all be aware of: on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at 2:18 PM, FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). Why am I telling you about this? Because it has not been widely publicized, and it can and will have ramifications even in our area. This alert that will be sent out is called the “Presidential Alert.” Every television and radio station will play the normal alert. The major difference is that every cell phone will receive a special push notification with vibration and sound. Even if the phone does not have cell service, any cellular telephone turned on will receive this message. Every phone, even if on silent, will buzz and make noise. If you know someone who has a secondary phone, make sure to alert them of this. To prevent receiving this notification, the cell phone will need to be turned off at least 30 minutes before the alert is sent and remain off for at least four hours after the test is sent. The message that appears on their phones will read: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.” I share this with you so that when everyone’s phones goes off, you aren’t surprised! If for some reason the alert cannot go through on October 4, the makeup day for the alert is October 11.

On October 7 at noon in the upper parking lot at church, we will have a pet blessing. All pets are welcome for a quick blessing, but please make sure to leash your animals!

Don’t forget! The DME retreat is this November! All are welcome to register. More information is in today’s bulletin!

Here are a couple of thoughts for the week ahead: Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. Our lives are defined by opportunities, even the ones that we’ve missed. Excuses will always be there for you; opportunities won’t.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

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Around the Parish – September 10, 2023

Written by on September 9, 2023. Posted in News, Around the Parish.

Another year has gone by, and yet, every year we are always surprised with how fast time goes by. Tomorrow we remember again the attack on America. The remembrance of 9/11 is a solemn occasion that also carries a message of hope and resilience. On that tragic day, our world was shaken to its core, and we witnessed the worst of humanity’s cruelty. However, we also saw the best of humanity emerge in the form of countless acts of courage, compassion, and heroism. Firefighters, police officers, first responders, and ordinary citizens selflessly rushed to help those in need, showing the indomitable spirit of unity in the face of adversity. In the years that have passed, the scars from that day remain, but so does our commitment to never forget the lives lost and the lessons learned. The remembrance of 9/11 reminds us that even in our darkest hours, we can come together as a nation, support one another, and rebuild stronger than before. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a pledge to honor the memory of those we lost by continuing to strive for a more peaceful and just world.

On November 10, 11, and 12, The Divine Mercy Encounter Retreat Program will be hosting DME #106. In November of 2008, I participated in TEC 51, which is what DME is the spiritual successor of. This amazing weekend retreat lasts three days at Saint Joseph Church in Erie where participants encounter our Lord through His Invitation, Encounter, and Commissioning. Each day has a different focus: Friday is the Day of Invitation, focusing on how God is inviting us into relationship. Saturday is the Day of Encounter, where we encounter God through the sacraments, Adoration, and others. Sunday is the Day of Commission, where we as a community are empowered to evangelize and share our faith. The weekend includes talks, exposure to different types of prayer, Mass, community, and much more. The weekend runs from 10am on Friday to 5pm on Sunday, and retreat participants stay onsite for the weekend.

I look forward to this special weekend this November as I will be the main priest running the weekend with my home parish pastor, Father James McCormick. I encourage everyone to consider participating in this retreat! For more information visit https://divinemercyencounter.com

Here are a couple of thoughts for the week ahead: Archabbot Wimmer, the first abbot of Saint Vincent Monastery in Latrobe, PA had a motto of “Forward, always forward, everywhere forward!” This is an excellent motto for the spiritual life. Always look forward to the future with Christ, for He is already there, preparing for us the joys of Heaven.

Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy

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Divine Mercy Encounter Retreat

Written by on October 7, 2022. Posted in News, Diocese News.

DME is a three day retreat program. Each day has a different focus: Friday is the Day of Invitation, focusing on how God is inviting us into relationship. Saturday is the Day of Encounter, where we encounter God through the sacraments, Adoration, and others. Sunday is the Day of Commission, where we as a community are empowered to evangelize and share our faith.

The weekend includes talks, exposure to different types of prayer, Mass, community, and much more. The weekend runs from 10am on Friday to 5pm on Sunday, and retreat participants stay onsite for the weekend.

For more information, feel free to speak with Father Andy about the retreat!

Where are Divine Mercy Encounter retreat weekends held?
DME retreat weekends are held at Saint Joseph Church / Bread of Life Community at 147 West 24th Street, Erie, PA 16502. Retreat participants are expected to stay at the social center for the entire weekend.

Is there a cost for the DME weekends?
The cost to make the DME weekend is $45. We ask for a $20 deposit to hold your spot on a particular weekend. Please contact the Parish Office if you cannot afford this cost.

What should I bring with me on a DME weekend?
On the DME weekend, you will be staying over at the parish social center. In addition to the items you’d normally bring on a trip (clothes, pajamas, towels, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, any medication, etc.) you will also want to bring a sleeping bag and pillow. Inflatable mattresses are permitted, although we ask that you bring a single-sized mattress to allow for room in the sleeping area. Cots are available upon request. We also ask that you bring one dress-clothes outfit for a special event on Saturday.

Am I going to have to share personal stuff that I don’t want to talk about on DME weekends?
There is plenty of time on the weekend for sharing – if you feel comfortable – but you do not have to talk about anything that you don’t want to. No one is going to expect you to answer questions about yourself or your life. You can go as far as you want.

Who will be at a Divine Mercy Encounter Weekend?
The makeup of each Divine Mercy Encounter weekend varies a little, but usually around 30 people make the weekend and around 20 people work the weekend. There are usually around 15 high school aged participants, 5 – 10 college / young adult participants, and up to 8 adult participants making the weekend. At your table will also be two people around your age who have made a Divine Mercy Encounter before who will be there as your table resources to help out. The other people working the retreat include the musician, directors, and spiritual directors.

Will I be able to shower on Divine Mercy Encounter Weekends?
Yes, there are showers available and everyone has a chance to take showers.

Where am I going to be sleeping?
You will be sleeping on the floor of the location where you are making your DME. Participants are encouraged to bring a twin inflatable mattress or floor pad, a sleeping bag, or (when necessary) a cot. Some cots are available for those who need them.

Who can make a DME weekend?
Anyone can participate as long as they are a sophomore in high school and 15 years of age or older.

When is the next retreat?
The NEXT DME Retreat Weekend is scheduled for November 11, 12, & 13, 2022. Register soon!!

TO APPLY TO MAKE THE WEEKEND VISIT:

https://www.divinemercyencounter.com/retreat-application

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