The Sunday Good News Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time St. John Bosco June 30, 2013

HIS WORD TODAY BY Rev. William J. Reilly

“As they were making their way along someone said to him, ‘I will follow

you wherever you go.’ Jesus said to him: ‘The foxes have lairs, the birds of

the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no where to lay his head.’ To

another he said, ‘Come after me.’ Yet another said to him, ‘I will be your

follower, Lord but first let me take leave of my people at home.’ Jesus an-

swered him, ‘Whoever puts his hand to the plow but keeps looking back is

unfit for the reign of God.’”

The journey of the Christian today, being a disciple, is no different than that

found in the gospel. Three different persons approach Jesus making them-

selves available to Him, being called by Him, or setting the conditions for

being a disciple. How interesting the results.

I may identify with one or perhaps all three. My journey with Jesus, like

that of His journey to Jerusalem and the paschal mystery, finds me hesitat-

ing, making excuses, or even walking in another direction. During this Year

of Faith, I wish to examine where I stand, and then repair and renew my

own commitment. My motive is based on the urgency which Jesus imposes

on a disciple.

My willingness is challenged by the society and culture in which we live. His

invitation finds me being deaf to His call. It is easier for me to say 'but first'

rather than say 'Yes Lord' as I read and reflect to decide which of the three

resembles me and ask the grace to sense the urgency of becoming a better

disciple.

First Reading: 1 Kings 19:16b, 19-21

Elijah the prophet followed God's instruction to appoint a man named Elisha

as his successor. Elijah threw his cloak over Elisha, who went and said good-

bye to his family, then followed Elijah without question.

Second Reading: Galatians 5:1, 13-18

Paul reminds us that people were freed from the old law through Christ. But

he makes it clear that this freedom does not mean giving in to evil desires. In-

stead, we must be guided by the Spirit and most importantly love our

neighbor as ourselves.

Gospel: Luke 9:51-62

Jesus set out for Jerusalem, and passed through a town where he was not wel-

comed. He reprimanded his disciples for desiring vengeance against the town.

One man wanted to follow Jesus when he had finished his duties at home.

Jesus expressed that a man who begins a task, but constantly looks back is un-

fit for the reign of God.

THIS WEEK…

Youth Group Meeting (SJB)……………………………....….…...Sunday, June 30, 6—8PM

Adult Choir…..……………….……..………..……….…….....Monday, July 1, 7:00—9:00PM

Knights of Columbus……………………. ………………………..….Tuesday, July 2, 6:30PM

AA and Al-ANON…….. ……………….……….…..…….....….Wednesday, July 3, 7:00PM

IN THE WEEKS AHEAD…

Liturgy Meeting………….……………………………....……...…...Tuesday, July 16, 7:00PM

Conspiring with God

“And the Word became flesh” is a

Christological affirmation of a radical nature

with far-reaching implications for our

thinking about God, life in the world, and

what it means to be a Christian.

The Disguise of the Divine Rejoice over everything. Exult. Exhilarate. Be glad. Be delighted, elated, and bowled over with joy! Frolic freely, hop, hope, dance on the dare, cheer, champion the little ones, revel in the riotous light. Invoke God without ceasing. Pray with passion Whatever you do, do not quench the Spirit. Take care not to douse or dampen the bold blaze in your depths. Jump into life. Hold fast to it. Give thanks for everything. For everything even the most misshapen and misunderstood, is the disguise of the divine.

Susan Virginia Hull

SJB CLOTHING SHED SJB’s new clothing drop off shed is a fund-raiser & service to the community. In-stalled by St. Pauly Textile, it’s located near the rear parking lot between the church and rectory. Nothing will be shredded or destroyed, but instead will be distributed all over the U.S. and world to those who can use it. SJB will receive $40 for every 1,000 pounds and the money will be used in our St. Vincent de Paul fund. Items that can be donated include clothing, shoes, sneakers, belts, purses, linens, blankets, curtains and stuffed animals. Any ques-tions, please contact Scott Higgins.

PAGE 2 The Sunday Good News

SUNDAY STEWARDS

1270 families receive envelopes

June 22nd 261 people attended the 4:00 PM Liturgy

120 families used their envelopes and offered $1,944.00

June 23rd 209 people attended the 7:30 AM Liturgy

98 families used their envelopes and offered $1,326.00

251 people attended the 9:00 AM Liturgy

102 families used their envelopes and offered $1,876.00

252 people attended the 11:30 AM Liturgy 77 families used their envelopes

and offered $1,312.00

June 22nd/23rd’s Tithe from 397 families was $6,458.00

Our loose offering was $700.00

Weekly Operating Budget $12,019.08

YOUTH GROUP NEWS

The Diocese will be hosting its annual "Light The Fire Youth Rally" on Wednesday, July 17 at Misericordia University for high school students. This is a fun filled day full of great music, talks and activities. Steve Angrisano, Sean Malloy, and Full Armor Band will be highlights throughout the day. The cost is $25 for the rally and $10 for a t-shirt. For more information you can visit www.combinedym.org or contact

Scott at 406-9953 or scott.e.higgins@me.com. The youth group will be traveling to Philadelphia on mission with the Blessed Sarnelli Community from July 9-12. BSC works with the poor and homeless in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia. For more info you can check out their website at bscphilly.org or contact Scott. The youth of SJB will be gathering on June 30 from 6-8 in the youth room. All students in grades 6-12 are welcome. Congratulations and thank you to Mary Susan McAndrew, Matt Straub, and Brendan Reed for their participation in the Diocese's International Student Leadership Insti-tute this past week. Matt and Mary Susan both helped on the high school team to run the retreat, while Brendan learned how to facilitate a small group. Great work guys!!!

The Diocesan Congress is being coordinated by the Office for Parish Life with the theme Charged With the Spirit. It will take place on the campus of the Univer-sity of Scranton beginning at 9AM with a Welcome, Opening Prayer and Gather-ing Experience. In four time periods, participants will be able to choose from more than 40 workshops centered around topics essential to vibrant parish life. Lunch will be provided, with special interest groups gathering at designated tables for peer support and conversation. There will be an exhibit hall of service and resource vendors, as well as a “Parish Showcase” where individual parishes or clusters can demonstrate “what works” in your parish. The day will conclude with a 4PM Mass with the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bam-bera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, as principal celebrant. The Diocesan Congress will be preceded by a special event the night before. A concert prelude will be held on Friday evening, October 4, 2013 from 7:30—9PM at the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Scranton. Titled Age to Age: Generations of Faith, the concert will be a live performance by renowned Catholic musicians Steve Angrisano, Dan Schutte and Curtis Stephan. Presented in partnership with Oregon Catholic Press, this will be an evening of prayerful, inspirational music, spanning the life of the Church across the 50 years since the opening of the Second Vatican Council. Registration for the Saturday Congress will include this Friday Concert. Tickets will also be sold for “Concert only” participation. Lodging options will be avail-able to assist parishioners coming from outlying parishes to enjoy the full two-day event. For more information, call the Office for Parish Life at 570-207-2213.

PLAN FOR CHURCH PAINTING Beginning with the weekend of August 3/4 and continuing through the 4 weekends in August and the first 2 weekends in September, we will hold all weekend Masses at Valley Elemen-tary School while the church is being painted. Also, please note that daily Masses will be held in the gym. Funerals will be held at Good Shepherd Church. Your patience, understanding and cooperation during this time is most appreciated!

~ Fr. Jack

Last weekend’s collection for 2013 Storm and Disaster Relief was

$1,656.26. This weekend will be for Peter’s Pence. Your generosity is most appreciated!

VOCATIONS GOLF TOURNAMENT

Please support the 4th Annual Vocations Golf Classic to benefit the Saint John Vian-ney Endowment for Seminarians to be held Monday, August 5. ” Golfers, spon-sors and donors are welcome at all levels. For a complete brochure, visit: www.DioceseofScranton.org or call the Development office at 207-2250.

REV. JOHN L. QUINN — LOVE IN ACTION Please welcome Father John Quinn who will speak at all the Masses on behalf of Cross Catholic Outreach which was founded to create a meaningful link between parishes in America and the priests and nuns working in the Church overseas in the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Central and South America. Please be

generous in your response to Father’s appeal. Brochures will be provided if you wish to sup-port this worthy Catholic ministry. Cross Catholic Outreach is a Christ-centered ministry founded to help the poor throughout the world. We assist desperate families through a network of church-based ministries: feeding centers, orphanages, schools, clinics, job-training centers and home-building programs. We also serve as a disaster relief organization when the need arises. Utilizing churches to distribute the aid has an important spiritual impact. It empowers local religious leaders, strengthening the Christian community’s ability to share the Gospel with those who need it most. By meeting the urgent needs of the poor with a cost-effective approach to purchasing and dis-tribution, Cross Catholic ensures that more of your contribution reaches the poor.

NOVENA PRAYER FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY—JUNE 25—JULY 3

Almighty God, Father of all nations, for Freedom You have set us free in Christ Jesus. We praise and bless You for the gift of religious liberty, the

foundation of human rights, justice , and the common good. Grant to our leaders the wisdom to protect and promote our liberties. By Your grace may we have the

courage to defend them for ourselves and for all who live in this blessed land. We ask this through the intercession of Mary Immaculate, our patroness, and in the name of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, with

You who live and reign, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

FORTNIGHT FOR FREEDOM The Bishops of the United States are once again organizing the Fortnight for Freedom – a 14 day period of prayer, reflection and action to promote a greater understanding of religious liberty during the two weeks leading up to Independ-ence Day. The Fortnight’s official opening will take place during a Mass cele-brated in Baltimore’s Basilica of the Assumption on June 21. Its closing Mass will be July 4 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Bishop Bambera invites your participation in two diocesan Fortnight for Freedom events that will be held in Saint Peter’s Cathedral: On Wednesday, June 26, at 12:10 p.m., there will host an Ecumenical Service of Prayer for Religious Freedom with representatives of Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant denomina-tions in attendance; and on Sunday, June 30 at 12:15 p.m., he will celebrate a special Mass of Faith and Freedom.

PAGE 3 The Sunday Good News

WE REMEMBER...

DAILY READINGS

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sunday

1 Kgs 19:16b, 19-21; Gal 5:1, 13-18;

Lk 9:51-62

Monday

Gn 18:16-33; Mt 8:18-22

Tuesday

Gn 19:15-29; Mt 8:23-27

Wednesday

Eph 2:19-22; Jn 20:24-29

Thursday

Gn 22:1b-19; Mt 9:1-8

First Friday

Gn 23:1-4, 19, 24:1-8, 62-67; Mt 9:9-

13

First Saturday

Gn 27:1-5, 15-29; Mt 9:14-17

Early registration continues! Please pick up paperwork outside of FF office. Anyone wishing to register for Kinder-garten, contact Carrie atcarrie.grandzol@yahoo.com. 2013 Confirmation and Communion photos: We are

still waiting on the photographer’s word that they are ready. As soon as they are, we will contact all families. Thank you for your patience and we are sorry for the delay. Are you missing Communion/Confirmation photos/DVDs/VHSs? A recent closet clean out revealed several of them from years past (and we mean many years past). If you are missing photos/DVDs/VHS tapes you had ordered please contact Carrie at carrie.grandzol@yahoo.com. We are currently working through the list of contacting the photos with names on them.

Saturday, 4:00PM June 29 Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Barbara Ancharski By Husband & Sons

Sunday, 7:30AM June 30 Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Living & Deceased Members of St. John Bosco

Sunday, 9:00AM June 30 Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Priest’s Intention

Sunday, 11:30AM June 30 Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Vivian Kupiec By Katie & Jeremy Pill

Monday, 8:00AM July 1 Margaretta & George Zokovitch By Norma Solarek

Tuesday, 8:00AM July 2 Michael Maylath By Mary Kelly Palermo & Son

Wednesday, 8:00AM July 3 Marie Luchi By Carolyn, Bill, Bob & Julie Luchi

Thursday, 9:00AM July 4 Religious Freedom

Friday, 8:00AM July 5 George Stefanik By Family

Saturday, 4:00PM July 6 Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Jeff Kuchar By Wife & Sons

Sunday, 7:30AM July 7 Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Ronald Palmer By Jim & Dorothy Staudenmeier

Sunday, 9:00AM July 7 Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Dorothy & Frank Lagana By Tom & Christine Lagana Family

Sunday, 11:30AM July 7 Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Priest’s Intention

TABERNACLE CANDLE

The Tabernacle Candle burns this week in memory of Marie Luchi by Sally Schmeer Family.

JULY 4TH MASS Begin your Independence Day celebration in support of Fortnight for Freedom by attending Mass on Thurs., July 4th at 9:00AM when our mass intention will be for religious freedom.

PAGE 4 The Sunday Good News

In Step with Pope Francis via John L. Allen Jr., Catholic News Service

Francis at 100 days: ‘the world’s parish priest’

By traditional standards, it's been quiet on the Vatican front. To date, Francis has announced only one truly bold policy move -- the mid-April appointment of a group of eight cardinals from around the world to serve as his kitchen cabinet. Its first meeting, however, isn't until October, and it's still unclear what it might. At the moment, Francis is preparing for a trip in late July to Rio de Janeiro for World Youth Day, and afterward the Vatican enters its summer doldrums. It's likely to be September at the earliest before any decisions considered significant will be unveiled, such as the appointment of a new secretary of state. Perhaps the root lesson of Francis' first 100 days is that when it comes to spiritual leadership, sometimes

style really is substance. Bishop Jorge Eduardo Lozano of Argentina, says it's a mistake to wait for the real pope to emerge from beneath the largely symbolic flourishes of his early days. Instead, those flourishes are the real pope, insists Lozano, a close friend of the former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio who worked under him as an auxiliary in Buenos Aires for six years. "They're an expression of his magisterium," Lozano said in mid-April. "He's sending a message to other cardinals, bishops and priests that this is what we need to do -- to reach out to people, not being content to wait for them to come to us," Lozano said. "More broadly, he's sending the same message to all Catholics everywhere."

That message can be unpacked in terms of four defining features of Francis' leadership style: simplicity, humility, remaining largely apolitical, and being remarkably accessible to ordinary folks.

In Step with Christ’s Mystical Body—A Crack in Everything Cohen’s song, “Anthem,” states in the refrain: “There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.” It sounds a lot like Paul’s statement about carrying “the treasure in earthen vessels” (2 Corinthians 4:7). These are both much more poetic ways of naming what we unfortunately called “original sin”—a poor choice of words because the word sin implies fault and culpability, and that is precisely not the point! Original sin was trying to warn us that the flaw at the heart of all reality is nothing we did personally, but that there is simply “a crack in everything” and so we should not be surprised when it shows itself in us or in everything else. This has the power to keep us patient, humble, and less judgmental. (One wonders if this does not also make the point that poetry and

music are a better way to teach spiritual things than mental concepts.) The deep intuitions of most church doctrines are invariably profound and correct, but they are still expressed in mechanical and literal language that everybody adores, stumbles over, denies, or fights. Hold on for a while until you get to the real meaning, which is far more than the literal meaning! That allows you to creatively both understand and critique things—without becoming oppositional, hateful, arrogant, and bitter yourself. Some call this “appreciative inquiry” and it has an entirely different tone that does not invite or create “the equal and opposite reaction” of physics. The opposite of contemplation is not action; it is reaction. Much of the “inconsistent ethic of life,” in my opinion, is based on ideological reactions and groupthink, not humble discernment of how darkness hides and “how the light gets in” to almost everything. I hope I do not shock you, but it is really possible to have very “ugly morality” and sometimes rather “beautiful immorality.” Please think and pray about that. ~ Fr.Richard Rohr OSF

If foreigners live with you in your land, do not harm them. You must count them as fellow countrymen, and love them as yourselves. For you too were once foreigners in another land. Leviticus 19:33-34