St Brigid Parish Bulletin for Sunday February 11, 2024

The Roman Catholic Community of ST. BRIGID PARISH, (St. Francis Xavier Church, Friendsville, Pa. St. Augustine Church, Silver Lake, Pa.)

PARISH MISSION STATEMENT

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

(St. Brigid’s Cross)

-mail: sfxc@epix.net Facebook: St Brigid Parish Rev. Augustine Thomas—Administrator Father Augustine—1 (570) 909-7819 Deacon Paul J. Brojack

February 11th, 2024 Be my protector, O God! MASS SCHEDULE Church - VIGIL: 6TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME JOSEPH & HELEN GRIFFIN by Mike Griffin St. Francis Church - 6TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME MARGARET FLAHERTY by Jeff & Rosanne Williams St. Augustine Church - INTENTIONS OF OUR PARISHIONERS NO MASS St. Francis Church -HAROLD CURLEY by Kay Keenan ASH WEDNESDAY St. Augustine Church- JACK KELLY by Rosalynd Perlick St. Francis Church - WANDA PURR & DECEASED FAMILY AND FRIENDS by Joe Purr St. Augustine Church - CECILIA DAVIDSON by Andrea & Jay Chen St. Francis Church - SPECIAL INTENTIONS St. Francis Church - VIGIL: FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT JULIA GOLDEN FLAHERTY, MARGARET FLAHERTY, MARY ELLEN FLAHERTY GRIFFIN by the Flaherty Family St. Francis Church - FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT INTENTIONS OF OUR PARISHIONERS St. Augustine Church - JIM SHELP by Rosalynd Perlick

Sat. Feb. 10

4:30PM St. Francis

Sun. Feb. 11

8:00AM

10:30AM Mon. Feb. 12 Tue. Feb. 13 12:00NN Wed. Feb. 14

8:30AM 12:00NN

Thur. Feb. 15 8:30AM Fri. Feb. 16 12:00NN Sat. Feb. 17 4:30PM

Sun. Feb. 18

8:00AM

19 10:30AM

CONFESSION SCHEDULE—(BEFORE ALL WEEKEND MASSES) Saturday—St. Francis Xavier—before 4:30PM Mass—3:30 to 4:15PM Sunday—St. Francis Xavier—before 8:00AM Mass—7:30 to 7:50AM Sunday—St. Augustine—before 10:30AM Mass—9:45 to 10:20AM STEWARDSHIP REPORT Our weekend collection total was $ 5,639.00. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

LIFELINES “Married love differs from any other love in the world. By its nature, the love of husband and wife is so complete, so ordered to a lifetime of communion with God and each other, that it is open to creating a new human being they will love and care for together.” ~ USCCB, Married Love and the Gift of Life

CHILDREN’S MASS NEXT WEEKEND A Children’s Mass will be held at St. Francis Church next Saturday, February 17th, at 4:30PM. WORLD DAY OF THE SICK—THIS SUNDAY World Day of the Sick is an awareness day, or observance, in the Catholic Church intended for "prayer & sharing, of offering one's suffering for the good of the Church and of reminding everyone to see in his sick brother or sister the face of Christ". This is a way for believers to offer prayers for those suffering from illness. The day was instituted on May 13th, 1992 by Pope John Paul II and is celebrated on February 11th, the memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes.

If you wish to receive the Sacrament of the Sick, anointing will follow Masses this weekend.

If you would like to be anointed but can’t attend Mass, please call the office 570-553-2288 to arrange anointing. Please pray for all the sick in our Parish, Community & World.

WORLD MARRIAGE DAY—“Love Beyond Words.”

Today, on World Marriage Sunday, we joyfully celebrate a love beyond words shared between a husband and wife in the marital covenant. We pray for all married couples called to be imitators of Christ’s sacrificial love in the world. May their marriages be bright beacons of hope to family members and friends, living reminders of Jesus’ love as they create nurturing homes, wellsprings of hospitality where the warmth of Jesus' love is shared and felt. One of the blessings of marriage is the gift of children. Parents are the first teachers to their children, especially in the way of love. Where love is shared abundantly in a family, the family becomes a school of love, especially for children who watch their parents love each other with every gesture and expression of self-giving. Children notice every hug, kiss, sacrifice, and loving glance. May parents strive to mirror Christ’s tender love before their children.

Jesus' healing of the leper is a beautiful example for us. Jesus’ love heals. Only His tremendous love can save and free us. Like the leper, we must kneel in faith and beg for Jesus the Divine Physician to enter into where we need healing or are bound by sin, to enter marriages that are hurting, to heal our families by His love from any division, anger, or resentment, to mend every human heart, and to bind up the wounds of the human family throughout the world with His healing and salvific love. Like the psalmist, we pray, “I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you filled me with the joy of salvation.” Lay your hand upon us and may the world overflow with your healing love. Amen. ~ From United States Conference of Catholic Bishops PARISH LOTTERY CALENDARS Parish Lottery Calendars are available in the back of our Churches. They are $ 20.00 each and run from April 1st thru December 31st, 2024. Each family is asked to take at least (5) calendars to sell. There are both packages of (5) calendars and loose (single) calendars. (Please do not break up the packages.)

Please sign the calendars out on the sheet provided.

DECEASED Please pray for the deceased, especially Sean McMahon, son of Sheila McMahon.

We also pray for Linda Burrell who was known to many in our community. May they rest in peace. Amen.

THANK YOU CARE & EDUCATION OF PRIESTS Thank you all for your generosity in last weekends collection for the Care & Education of Priests.

Our collection total was $ 626.00.

COLLECTION FOR THE CHURCH IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE Next week we take up the Collection for the Church in Central & Eastern Europe. This collection supports the Church in more than 25 countries that struggle to recover from former communist rule. It also aids communities throughout the region that are affected by the war in Ukraine.

Funds support pastoral care, catechesis, renovations, and seminary formation. Your support restores the Church and builds the future in this region. Please prayerfully consider how you can support the collection next week. You can find more information at www.usccb.org/ccee. #iGiveCatholicTogether (https://usccb.igivecatholictogether.org/organizations/usccbchurch-incentral-and-eastern-europe) also accepts funds for this collection if you prefer to donate online.

MINISTRY SCHEDULE Ash Wednesday—8:30AM—St. Augustine: Lector—Bob Allen; Minister—Eileen McDonald & volunteer; Rosary—volunteer; Greeter—Barb Pichette Ash Wednesday—12:00NN—St. Francis: Lector—Sandy Gardner; Ministers—volunteers; Rosary—volunteer Sunday, February 18—8:00AM—St. Francis: Lector—Christina Long; Ministers—Chris & Katie Volk; Servers—volunteers; Rosary—Joyce Barnum; Greeter—volunteer Sunday, February 18—10:30AM—St. Augustine: Lector—Cott DeMaree; Ministers—Bob Allen & volunteer; Servers—volunteer; Rosary—volunteer; Greeter—volunteer PRAYER LIST Lord, hear our prayers for the sick of our Parish & Community listed below and for those who are not listed and in need of our prayers, especially all suffering from cancer, Lyme disease, or Covid-19. Kaitlyn Andre, Michael Haefner, Bill Jones, Jr., Ruth King, Kyle Stoddard, Sam Miner, Sophie Padula, Tom Wenman, Toni Colardino, Madigan Gow, Emily D., Amanda Branning, Daniel Gavin, Tommy Williams, Kathy Holt, Linda Hollenback, Don Zaleski, MaryLou Fahs, Elton Carr, Jim Raftis, Bub Davis, Tyler Fletcher, William Chaney, Joe Grindel, Chelsea Judson, Trisha, Mary Guido, Hallie Brooks, Mark Kovach, Brooke Arnold, “D”, Robyn Lawson, Ned Offner, Ethel Reid, Butch Rosencranz, Shawn Burns, Quinn Seymour, Marie Donahue, Barbara Mahoney, Rusty Carmen, Adam Price, Greg Lasgowka, Terry, Cameron & Levi White, Natalie Dawn Abell, Tom Ellison, the Reed Family, Don Higgins, Raub Family, Todd Legg, Ryan Hayes, Thomas McWilliams, Marty Mosher, Chad Grindel, Cathy Ballogg, Mary Ann Casterline, Janice Jacobs, Patricia Charpinsky, Jay Gurn, Diane Holleran, Kineer Worgen, James Dughi, Peg Broadwater, Christopher Dauber, Adrian Stephens, Millie, John, Reilly, Sophia ILichishin, Alice Walsh, Josh Zaleski, Caleb Scepaniak, Dana Marsh, Mary Joan, Lori Rawlins, Brendan Merritt, Mark Pasteka, Tim Fruehan, Linda, Gloria, Lori Hammerly Coleman, Brendan Kelly, Pat Walsh, Angelo Scarfalloto, Emily Graves, Cathy Albert, Robert Nemcek, Wink, Wayne Hibbard, Laura Nelson, Garrett Farr, Dr. Silversti, Mary Keenan, Everly Hausmann, George Coleman, Sally Saunders, Dennis Byerly, Marie Cavalarro, Sully & Patty Cavallaro, R.C.M., Evelyn Ferro, Briana Grisdale, Gregory Diorio, Mike Coleman, Nicholas, Alex, Alice, Mike & Pat Stelacio, Fr. John Victoria, Joseph Santora, Carol Garcia, Jay S., Carl, Jessica Lawrence, Sophie Holgash, Nellie Manarchuck, Monica Gibson, Diane Coffee, Bill Noldy, Jr., Cathy Edsell, Patricia Hutchinson, Chris Mortensen, Clyde & Mary Tims, Louise Darrow, Diane, Aaron Fredendall, Louise Eastman, Niki Rogers, Wade Leach, Shirley Conboy, Mark, Joseph Olszewski, Curtis Edwards, Matthew Gatto, Madigan, Marge Murphy, Kris Kiesly, Ellen Bieleski, Kylie Keenan, Sara Kelly Price, Tucker White, Terri Grindel, Jerry Wells, Fred Brown, Rosa Prieto, Sue L., Mike, Carl Whitehead, Ed Snee, Cliff & Anita James, Pete Strojny, Jay C., Shirley McWilliams, Mary (Jones) Edsell, Eileen Maruschok, Shirley Rockefeller, Tony McHugh, Val Mosier, Hunter Allen Sapp, A.J. Pass, Leonard Howell, Bryce Histand, Deacon Tom Hartley, Ken Warner, George Thrasher, Norma Volk, Kathy Conklin, Gary Fisher, Joan Middendorf, Marie Mirabelli, Clint Wise, Carol Jarnigan, Brian, Kevin Pierson, Anne, Madeline Barno, Evan Small, Megan Hale, Ben Naylor, Tammy Volk Jennings, Rosemary Stewart, Margaret Zernone, Owen, Bucky Russell, Kathleen, Gerry, Delores Sinchak, Carolyn Doolittle, Tom Murphy, Leah Walters, Jane Borelli, Jake Warner, Chuck Bullock, Tom Krupinski, Susie Reichlen, and Eileen Drab. Please pray for all the needs in our Parish & Community. Our Lady of Good Health, pray for us. Amen.

ARMED FORCES LIST Please pray for those in our Armed Forces, especially those from our Parish & Community, Ryan Gor m ley, Christopher Reichlen, Mike Griffith, Matthew Kramer, Ryan Neville, Shane Kalpokas, Dustin Ryder, Steven Shelp, Ricky Trowbridge, A. Jay Tewksbury, Lukas Crisman, Ryan Newberry, Mark W. Gregg, Lisa Phillips, Andrew Muscarelle, Adam Barziloski, Marty Conboy, Wayne M. Bennett, Joseph Elliott, Bradley J. Bryant, John Baltsley, Mara Redding, Michael Redding, James Hemmerly, Amberlynn Villanella, Jacob Balchikonis, Rip VanWinkle, Jonathan Green, Cameron, Garrett Kiehle, and all who serve with them. May they be protected & safe from harm & return home safely and soon. Amen.

THIS WEDNESDAY IS ASH WEDNESDAY Lent begins THIS week on Ash Wednesday, February 14th. Services are as follows: ♦ St. Augustine—8:30AM Mass & Distribution of Ashes ♦ St. Francis Xavier—12 Noon Mass & Distribution of Ashes ♦Ashes will be distributed at weekend Masses for those who aren’t able to attend Wednesday.

SCHEDULE FOR STATIONS OF THE CROSS Stations will be held Friday, February 16th, after 12 Noon Mass at St. Francis.

Stations will be held Friday, February 16th, at 6:00PM at St. Augustine.

Stations of the Cross will continue with this schedule most Friday’s during Lent.

CHOIR PRACTICE Choir practice for Lent & Easter will be held on Tuesday evenings at 6:00PM at St. Francis.

LENTEN READING MATERIALS There are copies of the “Little Black Books” for Lent and the Lenten Edition of “The Word Among Us” available in the back of the Churches. Please feel free to take a copy home with you and use as part of your daily Lenten meditations OPERATION RICE BOWL LENT IS COMING! Join our faith community in a transformative Lenten journey through CRS Rice Bowl to meet people in Uganda, El Salvador and Indonesia who are working hard to overcome the challenges of hunger and the impact of climate change. During the 40 days of Lent, we will reflect on our connectedness as one family in Christ and work together to ensure our sisters and brothers worldwide can thrive. Visit crsricebowl.org to learn more. The Rice Bowl Collection is taken up as the second collection on Holy Thursday. You can place your envelopes in the collection at any time during Lent.

GOOD FRIDAY COLLECTION Our collection on Good Friday will be the Pontifical Good Friday Collection for the Holy Land.

You can also place your envelopes in the collection at any time during Lent.

Lent continues until the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, March 28th.

THE LIGHT IS ON FOR YOU” To make it very easy for every Catholic to experience the grace of the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the season of Lent, a noble practice has been set forth in every parish of the Diocese of Scranton. Entitled The Light Is On for You, this initiative, which has served well in our diocese for several years now, will provide the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation in all parishes of the Diocese of Scranton at the same time during the weeks of Lent.

The schedule for “THE LIGHT IS ON FOR YOU” in St. Brigid Parish will follow in next weeks bulletin.

Deacon’s NOTE This is a story of healing and touching. Strictly speaking, Jesus should not have touched a leper. Neither should the leper have approached Jesus, as lepers had to isolate themselves and call out ‘unclean, unclean’ to anyone who approached. Lord, help us to see how we isolate ourselves and others and how to break down barriers of s!gma, shame and fear, and reach out in love to others, just as you did.

PARISH PRAYER CHAIN If you would like to respond to prayer requests, or if you have a prayer request, please contact Rosalynd Perlick (570-663-2212) or Susie Reichlen (570-553-2618). Many prayers will be offered for your intentions. Please call when the person you put on this Prayer List can be removed, either because of their return to health or because they have passed away.

SPECIAL PRAYERS Please continue to pray for vocations to the Priesthood in our Diocese.

A$end carefully to the leper’s prayer: “If you wish, you can make me clean”. And to Jesus’ reply: “I do will it. Be made clean”. What does this exchange tell you about the leper’s convic!ons and feelings, as well as those of Jesus? Have you seen this pa$ern in your own prayers of pe!!on?

CHURCH CLEANING St. Augustine: February 12 to 18—Sr. Bette Brown; February 19 to 25—Sr. Bette Brown & Barb Pichette; February 26 to March 3—Barbara Gow & Jen Henry; March 4 to 10—Barb & Bill Pichette; March 11 to 17—Barb & Bill Pichette; March 18 to 24—Helena Arbosheski & Sr. Bette Brown; March 25 to 31—Cathy O’Reilly

Deacon Ron Maida—dorronto@protonmail.com

St. Francis cleaner for the month of February is Kay Keenan.

NEW VOLUNTEERS are always needed to help clean our Churches. There are openings throughout the year that need to be filled at both Churches. If you would like to volunteer, please call Kay (570)553-2288.

SANCTUARY & DEVOTIONAL CANDLES ~ A Devotional Candle at St. Francis b u r n s for a Special Intention offered by Joe Purr. ~ A Devotional Candle at St. Francis b u r n s for peace in Ukraine, Israel, and the Middle East. ~ A Devotional Candle at St. Francis b u r n s for the return to health of all the sick in our Parish and Community offered by St. Brigid Altar and Rosary Society. ~ The Sanctuary Candle at St. Francis b u r n s in Memory of Barbara, Irene, and George Kotch offered by Chuck and Sandy Kotch.

DIOCESAN ANNUAL APPEAL Our goal for 2023 is $ 22,000.00. We have raised $ 32,550.00 (147.95 % of our goal from 109 donors/ 35.97 % of our Parishioners). We are over our goal by $ 10,550.00. All donations are still very welcome. 75% of all money raised over our goal is returned to St. Brigid Parish.

Thank you again to all of our very generous supporters!!

RECTORY, SET, COOK! Rectory, Set, Cook is back again this year with more

ADORATION HELP IS URGENTLY NEEDED!

participants than ever

Adoration is in need of substitutes due to illness and snow birds being away.

OPEN HOURS FOR SUBSTITUTES Friday, February 23— 9:00 to10:00AM Friday, February 23— 12:00 to 1:00PM Thursday, February 29— 5:00 to 6:00PM Thursday, March 7, 14, 21, 28— 5:00 to 6:00PM Friday, March 1, 8, 15, 22— 12:00 to 1:00PM Friday, March 1 & 8— 9:00 to 10:00AM Thursday, April 4— 5:00 to 6:00PM OPEN HOURS FOR PERMANENT OR SUBSTITUTES Tuesday—9:00 to 10:00AM and 2:00 to 3:00PM Wednesday—5:00 to 6:00PM every other week Wednesday—4:30 to 6:00PM every other week Thursday—10:00 to 11:00AM; 6:00 to 7:00PM; 7:00 to 8:00PM Friday—9:00 to 10:00AM; 1:00 to 2:00PM; 2:00 to 3:00PM Please consider spending an hour with Our Lord. Call Rosalynd Perlick @ (570-663-2212).

before!

The launch date is THIS Tuesday, February 13th.

Be on the look-out for Fr. Augustine making his delicious Chicken Curry!!

And get ready to vote, vote, vote!

THIS WEDNESDAY IS ASH WEDNESDAY Lent begins THIS week on Ash Wednesday, February 14th. Services are as follows: ♦ St. Augustine—8:30AM Mass & Distribution of Ashes ♦ St. Francis Xavier—12 Noon Mass & Distribution of Ashes ♦Ashes will be distributed at weekend Masses for those who aren’t able to attend Wednesday.

SCHEDULE FOR STATIONS OF THE CROSS Stations will be held Friday, February 16th, after 12 Noon Mass at St. Francis.

Stations will be held Friday, February 16th, at 6:00PM at St. Augustine.

Stations of the Cross will continue with this schedule most Friday’s during Lent.

CHOIR PRACTICE Choir practice for Lent & Easter will be held on Tuesday evenings at 6:00PM at St. Francis.

LENTEN READING MATERIALS There are copies of the “Little Black Books” for Lent and the Lenten Edition of “The Word Among Us” available in the back of the Churches. Please feel free to take a copy home with you and use as part of your daily Lenten meditations OPERATION RICE BOWL LENT IS COMING! Join our faith community in a transformative Lenten journey through CRS Rice Bowl to meet people in Uganda, El Salvador and Indonesia who are working hard to overcome the challenges of hunger and the impact of climate change. During the 40 days of Lent, we will reflect on our connectedness as one family in Christ and work together to ensure our sisters and brothers worldwide can thrive. Visit crsricebowl.org to learn more. The Rice Bowl Collection is taken up as the second collection on Holy Thursday. You can place your envelopes in the collection at any time during Lent.

GOOD FRIDAY COLLECTION Our collection on Good Friday will be the Pontifical Good Friday Collection for the Holy Land.

You can also place your envelopes in the collection at any time during Lent.

Lent continues until the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, March 28th.

THE LIGHT IS ON FOR YOU” To make it very easy for every Catholic to experience the grace of the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the season of Lent, a noble practice has been set forth in every parish of the Diocese of Scranton. Entitled The Light Is On for You, this initiative, which has served well in our diocese for several years now, will provide the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation in all parishes of the Diocese of Scranton at the same time during the weeks of Lent.

The schedule for “THE LIGHT IS ON FOR YOU” in St. Brigid Parish will follow in next weeks bulletin.

Deacon’s NOTE This is a story of healing and touching. Strictly speaking, Jesus should not have touched a leper. Neither should the leper have approached Jesus, as lepers had to isolate themselves and call out ‘unclean, unclean’ to anyone who approached. Lord, help us to see how we isolate ourselves and others and how to break down barriers of s!gma, shame and fear, and reach out in love to others, just as you did.

PARISH PRAYER CHAIN If you would like to respond to prayer requests, or if you have a prayer request, please contact Rosalynd Perlick (570-663-2212) or Susie Reichlen (570-553-2618). Many prayers will be offered for your intentions. Please call when the person you put on this Prayer List can be removed, either because of their return to health or because they have passed away.

SPECIAL PRAYERS Please continue to pray for vocations to the Priesthood in our Diocese.

A$end carefully to the leper’s prayer: “If you wish, you can make me clean”. And to Jesus’ reply: “I do will it. Be made clean”. What does this exchange tell you about the leper’s convic!ons and feelings, as well as those of Jesus? Have you seen this pa$ern in your own prayers of pe!!on?

CHURCH CLEANING St. Augustine: February 12 to 18—Sr. Bette Brown; February 19 to 25—Sr. Bette Brown & Barb Pichette; February 26 to March 3—Barbara Gow & Jen Henry; March 4 to 10—Barb & Bill Pichette; March 11 to 17—Barb & Bill Pichette; March 18 to 24—Helena Arbosheski & Sr. Bette Brown; March 25 to 31—Cathy O’Reilly

Deacon Ron Maida—dorronto@protonmail.com

St. Francis cleaner for the month of February is Kay Keenan.

NEW VOLUNTEERS are always needed to help clean our Churches. There are openings throughout the year that need to be filled at both Churches. If you would like to volunteer, please call Kay (570)553-2288.

SANCTUARY & DEVOTIONAL CANDLES ~ A Devotional Candle at St. Francis b u r n s for a Special Intention offered by Joe Purr. ~ A Devotional Candle at St. Francis b u r n s for peace in Ukraine, Israel, and the Middle East. ~ A Devotional Candle at St. Francis b u r n s for the return to health of all the sick in our Parish and Community offered by St. Brigid Altar and Rosary Society. ~ The Sanctuary Candle at St. Francis b u r n s in Memory of Barbara, Irene, and George Kotch offered by Chuck and Sandy Kotch.

DIOCESAN ANNUAL APPEAL Our goal for 2023 is $ 22,000.00. We have raised $ 32,550.00 (147.95 % of our goal from 109 donors/ 35.97 % of our Parishioners). We are over our goal by $ 10,550.00. All donations are still very welcome. 75% of all money raised over our goal is returned to St. Brigid Parish.

Thank you again to all of our very generous supporters!!

RECTORY, SET, COOK! Rectory, Set, Cook is back again this year with more

ADORATION HELP IS URGENTLY NEEDED!

participants than ever

Adoration is in need of substitutes due to illness and snow birds being away.

OPEN HOURS FOR SUBSTITUTES Friday, February 23— 9:00 to10:00AM Friday, February 23— 12:00 to 1:00PM Thursday, February 29— 5:00 to 6:00PM Thursday, March 7, 14, 21, 28— 5:00 to 6:00PM Friday, March 1, 8, 15, 22— 12:00 to 1:00PM Friday, March 1 & 8— 9:00 to 10:00AM Thursday, April 4— 5:00 to 6:00PM OPEN HOURS FOR PERMANENT OR SUBSTITUTES Tuesday—9:00 to 10:00AM and 2:00 to 3:00PM Wednesday—5:00 to 6:00PM every other week Wednesday—4:30 to 6:00PM every other week Thursday—10:00 to 11:00AM; 6:00 to 7:00PM; 7:00 to 8:00PM Friday—9:00 to 10:00AM; 1:00 to 2:00PM; 2:00 to 3:00PM Please consider spending an hour with Our Lord. Call Rosalynd Perlick @ (570-663-2212).

before!

The launch date is THIS Tuesday, February 13th.

Be on the look-out for Fr. Augustine making his delicious Chicken Curry!!

And get ready to vote, vote, vote!

THIS WEDNESDAY IS ASH WEDNESDAY Lent begins THIS week on Ash Wednesday, February 14th. Services are as follows: ♦ St. Augustine—8:30AM Mass & Distribution of Ashes ♦ St. Francis Xavier—12 Noon Mass & Distribution of Ashes ♦Ashes will be distributed at weekend Masses for those who aren’t able to attend Wednesday.

SCHEDULE FOR STATIONS OF THE CROSS Stations will be held Friday, February 16th, after 12 Noon Mass at St. Francis.

Stations will be held Friday, February 16th, at 6:00PM at St. Augustine.

Stations of the Cross will continue with this schedule most Friday’s during Lent.

CHOIR PRACTICE Choir practice for Lent & Easter will be held on Tuesday evenings at 6:00PM at St. Francis.

LENTEN READING MATERIALS There are copies of the “Little Black Books” for Lent and the Lenten Edition of “The Word Among Us” available in the back of the Churches. Please feel free to take a copy home with you and use as part of your daily Lenten meditations OPERATION RICE BOWL LENT IS COMING! Join our faith community in a transformative Lenten journey through CRS Rice Bowl to meet people in Uganda, El Salvador and Indonesia who are working hard to overcome the challenges of hunger and the impact of climate change. During the 40 days of Lent, we will reflect on our connectedness as one family in Christ and work together to ensure our sisters and brothers worldwide can thrive. Visit crsricebowl.org to learn more. The Rice Bowl Collection is taken up as the second collection on Holy Thursday. You can place your envelopes in the collection at any time during Lent.

GOOD FRIDAY COLLECTION Our collection on Good Friday will be the Pontifical Good Friday Collection for the Holy Land.

You can also place your envelopes in the collection at any time during Lent.

Lent continues until the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, March 28th.

THE LIGHT IS ON FOR YOU” To make it very easy for every Catholic to experience the grace of the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the season of Lent, a noble practice has been set forth in every parish of the Diocese of Scranton. Entitled The Light Is On for You, this initiative, which has served well in our diocese for several years now, will provide the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation in all parishes of the Diocese of Scranton at the same time during the weeks of Lent.

The schedule for “THE LIGHT IS ON FOR YOU” in St. Brigid Parish will follow in next weeks bulletin.

Deacon’s NOTE This is a story of healing and touching. Strictly speaking, Jesus should not have touched a leper. Neither should the leper have approached Jesus, as lepers had to isolate themselves and call out ‘unclean, unclean’ to anyone who approached. Lord, help us to see how we isolate ourselves and others and how to break down barriers of s!gma, shame and fear, and reach out in love to others, just as you did.

PARISH PRAYER CHAIN If you would like to respond to prayer requests, or if you have a prayer request, please contact Rosalynd Perlick (570-663-2212) or Susie Reichlen (570-553-2618). Many prayers will be offered for your intentions. Please call when the person you put on this Prayer List can be removed, either because of their return to health or because they have passed away.

SPECIAL PRAYERS Please continue to pray for vocations to the Priesthood in our Diocese.

A$end carefully to the leper’s prayer: “If you wish, you can make me clean”. And to Jesus’ reply: “I do will it. Be made clean”. What does this exchange tell you about the leper’s convic!ons and feelings, as well as those of Jesus? Have you seen this pa$ern in your own prayers of pe!!on?

CHURCH CLEANING St. Augustine: February 12 to 18—Sr. Bette Brown; February 19 to 25—Sr. Bette Brown & Barb Pichette; February 26 to March 3—Barbara Gow & Jen Henry; March 4 to 10—Barb & Bill Pichette; March 11 to 17—Barb & Bill Pichette; March 18 to 24—Helena Arbosheski & Sr. Bette Brown; March 25 to 31—Cathy O’Reilly

Deacon Ron Maida—dorronto@protonmail.com

St. Francis cleaner for the month of February is Kay Keenan.

NEW VOLUNTEERS are always needed to help clean our Churches. There are openings throughout the year that need to be filled at both Churches. If you would like to volunteer, please call Kay (570)553-2288.

SANCTUARY & DEVOTIONAL CANDLES ~ A Devotional Candle at St. Francis b u r n s for a Special Intention offered by Joe Purr. ~ A Devotional Candle at St. Francis b u r n s for peace in Ukraine, Israel, and the Middle East. ~ A Devotional Candle at St. Francis b u r n s for the return to health of all the sick in our Parish and Community offered by St. Brigid Altar and Rosary Society. ~ The Sanctuary Candle at St. Francis b u r n s in Memory of Barbara, Irene, and George Kotch offered by Chuck and Sandy Kotch.

DIOCESAN ANNUAL APPEAL Our goal for 2023 is $ 22,000.00. We have raised $ 32,550.00 (147.95 % of our goal from 109 donors/ 35.97 % of our Parishioners). We are over our goal by $ 10,550.00. All donations are still very welcome. 75% of all money raised over our goal is returned to St. Brigid Parish.

Thank you again to all of our very generous supporters!!

RECTORY, SET, COOK! Rectory, Set, Cook is back again this year with more

ADORATION HELP IS URGENTLY NEEDED!

participants than ever

Adoration is in need of substitutes due to illness and snow birds being away.

OPEN HOURS FOR SUBSTITUTES Friday, February 23— 9:00 to10:00AM Friday, February 23— 12:00 to 1:00PM Thursday, February 29— 5:00 to 6:00PM Thursday, March 7, 14, 21, 28— 5:00 to 6:00PM Friday, March 1, 8, 15, 22— 12:00 to 1:00PM Friday, March 1 & 8— 9:00 to 10:00AM Thursday, April 4— 5:00 to 6:00PM OPEN HOURS FOR PERMANENT OR SUBSTITUTES Tuesday—9:00 to 10:00AM and 2:00 to 3:00PM Wednesday—5:00 to 6:00PM every other week Wednesday—4:30 to 6:00PM every other week Thursday—10:00 to 11:00AM; 6:00 to 7:00PM; 7:00 to 8:00PM Friday—9:00 to 10:00AM; 1:00 to 2:00PM; 2:00 to 3:00PM Please consider spending an hour with Our Lord. Call Rosalynd Perlick @ (570-663-2212).

before!

The launch date is THIS Tuesday, February 13th.

Be on the look-out for Fr. Augustine making his delicious Chicken Curry!!

And get ready to vote, vote, vote!

2024 REGULATIONS FOR LENT All faithful of the Diocese of Scranton are reminded of Diocesan Statute No. 41, which addresses the penitential aspect of Lent: “The season of Lent is penitential in nature and during Lent penance should be not only internal & individual, but also external & social Sacrosanctum Concilium, No. 5, 109). Pastors are obliged to avoid scheduling activities in the parishes which in any way could possibly detract from the external and social penance required by Lent.”

During Lent the following fast and abstinence regulations are observed: • • • • •

Ash Wednesday, February 14th, is a day of fast and abstinence.

Good Friday, March 29th, is a day of fast and abstinence.

Fridays during Lent are days of abstinence.

All Catholics who have reached their 14th birthday are to abstain from eating meat on Good Friday and on all Fridays during Lent.

All Catholics over 18 years of age to the beginning of their 60th year are bound to the obligation of fasting.

Those bound by this rule may take only one full meal and two smaller meals unless dispensed or excused.

LENTEN REMINDERS Lent is a time for sacrifice and for spiritual renewal as we reflect upon our baptism and the call given to each of us to walk as disciples of the Lord. We are provided with three personal challenges associated with our individual observance of Lent: • • •

Almsgiving – generously giving to those in need Fasting – practicing self-discipline and self-denial Prayer – reading, hearing and reflecting on the Word of God

Lent is a penitential season, a time to seek forgiveness, to look inward, and admit our shortcomings and failures. It is a time to regroup and to prepare. How can you spend your time during Lent?

• • •

By “giving up” things you hunger after, such as sweets or alcohol; or activities you desire, such as vacations, concerts or movies.

By “doing” things to help others, such as offering an extra donation to the poor or helping those in need by providing food or clothing.

By “adding” to our normal routine, such as going to daily Mass, praying the Stations of the Cross and going to confession.

LENTEN HOLY HOUR WITH BISHOP BAMBERA For the second consecutive year, all of the faithful in the Diocese of Scranton are invited to a Lenten Holy Hour with the Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, to commemorate the Year of Parish Revival for the National Eucharistic Revival. These gatherings will take place in each of the twelve deaneries of the Diocese of Scranton.

The Lenten Holy Hour for our deanery, the Sayre Deanery, will take place on Thursday, March 7th, at 7:00PM, at Epiphany Parish, 304 South Elmer Avenue, Sayre, PA 18840.

During the Year of Parish Revival, which lasts through June 2024, every parish in the country is being invited to offer opportunities to parishioners where they can be healed, converted, formed, and unified by an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist – and then be sent out on mission “for the life of the world.”

Mark your calendars and plan on joining Bishop Bambera as we pray for renewal in our devotion to Jesus Christ present to us in the Eucharist.