THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER - APRIL 22, 2012

He opened their minds to understand the scriptures. (Luke 24:45) We all love to have our minds stretched in new directions. There is nothing more exciting than listening to someone who can open up new horizons in our understanding. This is one way to describe how the apostles must have felt after Jesus appeared and "opened their minds to understand the scriptures" (Luke 24:45). But something more than human learning was going on here. When Jesus opened the apostles' minds, he lifted up their hearts as well. He gave them spiritual revelation about God's plan of salvation, opening up for them the mystery of redemption in ways that their own human minds could never have grasped. And this revelation filled their hearts with love. Because he was preparing his apostles for ministry, he wanted them to be clear. He wanted to impress upon them the fact that his gospel is about power from on high. It is not just a moral teaching or a set of intellectual propositions. He wanted them to proclaim that his gospel means letting his Holy Spirit fill them and open their minds. And it worked! For the rest of their lives, the apostles-and Paul and so many others after them-preached this message. Even today, we can receive God's revelation. Our minds can be opened by the same grace that opened the apostles' minds-grace from heaven. Today at Mass is a perfect opportunity to experience God lifting you up. When you receive the Eucharist, ask Jesus to open your heart. When you hear the readings, let the Holy Spirit fill your mind. As you kneel and pray after communion, know that Christ is in you, and that he is your hope of glory. God loves to stretch our minds, and what better way to experience it than at the table of the Lord! "Jesus, come and give me your wisdom and your peace. Help me to seek your presence and to live for you each day. I believe that all spiritual understanding comes from you, and so I ask you to fill me now and lift me up to heaven. "

,Sfewarlshj~1<~orf April 14th and April 15th Adult Envelopes Children's Envelopes Loose Money Monthly Envelopes Easter .'':' $1,334.00 $1.00 $324.00 $147.00 $176.00 Sub-Total $1,806.00

Total

$2,041.00

A second collection will be taken up next weekend, April 28th & 29th for the Good Shepherd Collection. Thank you for your wonderful support of St. Michael's. Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, "I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11)." These words of our Lord refer to the Paschal Mystery which we celebrate at Easter. Jesus is the central "Good Shepherd" who shows the way to care for God's people. As Christ the Good Shepherd surrounds, loves and cares for his sheep, so your priests tend to the spiritual needs of your parish family. We can all think of numerous priests who have served, sacrificed and ministered to us and our loved ones in our lifetime. They have celebrated the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, baptized our children, been merciful ministers of reconciliation with God, witnessed marriages, anointed our sick and buried our beloved. Our retired priests continue to be a gift for us. In addition to their constant prayers for the Diocese of Erie, so many of them continue to serve and are so very active in "retirement," helping at parishes, ministering to the sick in our hospitals and nursing homes and lending support wherever and whenever they can. Truly, these priests continue to. pour out their lives for service to Jesus Christ and God's people. As we have relied upon these priests and benefited from their ministry, so now I am hopeful that these same priests can rely upon you for continued financial support to the Good Shepherd Collection on the weekend of April 28th & 29th. This collection is not to be confused with the National Collection for Religious taken in December, which benefits religious orders of women and men. When you contribute to the Good Shepherd Collection for our Diocesan priests, your gift will go toward helping our current and future retired priests. Fraternally yours in Christ, Most Reverend Donald W. Trautman, STD, SSL, Bishop of Erie

Mass ScfJelufe:
Saturday, April 21st Sunday, April 22nd Monday, April 23rd Tuesday, April 24th Wednesday, April 25th Thursday, April 26th Friday, April 27th Saturday, April 28th Sunday, April 29th 5:00 pm 9:00 am 8:30 8:30 8:30 8:30 8:30 5:00 9:00 am am am am am pm am Colleen Gressley (Gressley family) Deceased members of Bower and Whitehill families (Whitehill, Collentro, Russell families) John Limegrover (Jack & Stephen Buzard) Health of Justin Molinari (Michael & Susan Neuman) NO MASS SCHEDULED Fred Knight (Anne Weiss) Eileen Zacherl (Russell Lander family) Health of Carlyn Strawbridge (Sue & John Miloszewski) Mae Rothen (Neal & Margaret Rothen & Hunter)

f.ifu"Jicaf "Minisfe"s:
Saturday, April 21, 5:00 pm Euch Min: Laverick, J & A Marron Lector: C. Cirell Server: K. Cratty Saturday, April 28, 5:00 pm Euch Min: Cannan, L. Marron, Spoharski Lector: R. Cratty Server: M. Cratty Sunday, April 22, 9:00 am Euch Min: Kerle, King, Whitehill Lector: B. Chestnut Servers: H & M King Sunday, April 29, 9:00 am Euch Min: Maleski, Miller, Sherman Lector: S. Lentz Servers: A. Barris, A. Sherman

(If you cannot keep this assignment, please call a substitute .... if you cannot find one, please call the parish office.)

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From Fr. Jan,

Announcements

"Where is God when I need him most?" Two men, upset over the murder of a friend, were walking to the next town. Along the way, they struggled to understand how such a thing could happen and worried that God had abandoned them. A stranger who was also walking to the same town joined them, heard their conversation, and explained how the recent events could be seen as part of God's plan. At dinner that night, the stranger miraCUlously turned out to be the very friend they were grieving. Though they didn't realize it, God was walking with them (Luke 24). Sometimes, events or experiences in our lives can lessen our awareness of God and make him appear distant. As a result, we can become too worried, too sad, or too angry to find him, For example, preoccupied by grief, the two friends on the road failed to recognize God walking right next to them. Trust in God is often hardest when it is most necessary. The truth is that he is always with us whether we "feel" it or not. He promised that he would never abandon us, and God always keeps his promise. "... All things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). Mary, Jesus' mother, also was distraught by his death. Yet instead of being overwhelmed by it, she stood with dignity at the foot of his cross. She acted on the faith that God would prevail. And her reward for her faith in his promise was amazing. With a prayer ... Fr. Jan FROM PAM There will be a meeting for parents of First Communion students on Sunday, April 22 after the 9:00 am Mass. ADULT EDUCATION The final session for the Adult Education series has been rescheduled for April 24, at 7:00 pm in the church hall. The series on the Seven Deadly Sins and Seven Lively Virtues ends with gluttony and lust. Each session is informative and helps us to understand our faith better. Everyone is welcome to attend!

APRIL MEETINGS 1. Bible Study group meets on Mondays at 6:30 pm 2. Altar-Rosary Society meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 7:30 pm. Rosary at 7:15. 3. Soup Group meets on the third Saturday of the month at 8:30 am. 4. Knights of Columbus will meet on Thursday, April 26 at 7:00 pm. 5. Choir Practice is held on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm. DR. SCOTT HAHN, -best-selling author and professor of Theology & Scripture will be speaking at DuBois Area Middle School, DuBois, PA on Saturday, April 28th at 10:00 am. Doors open at 9:30 am. For tickets and information call Tillie at 814-371-4116, Marie at 814-175-4667 or Coletta at 814-771-3101. ST. MICHAEL PARISH - FRYBURG There will be a square dance at the St. Michael Hall in Fryburg on Saturday, April 28, 2012 from 7:00 pm11:00 pm. Music provided by Roger Bauer. Free lessons from 6:30-7:00 pm. Refreshments provided (chips & soda) - BYOB. Admission $6.00. This square dance benefits the St. Michael Food Pantry of Northern Clarion County. MEMORIAL GOLF OUTING A Memorial Golf Outing will be held on Saturday, May 5th at the Lower Golf Course at Peek' n Peak Resort for Lewie Lamb V. It is a 4 person scramble and is sponsored by The Highlanders Ski Club to benefit The Muscular Dystrophy Association. Fee: $85.00 per golfer. Registration includes: 18 holes of golf with cart, access to the Hot Tub & fitness center between golf and dinner, BBQ Chicken Dinner at 5:00 pm, Chinese Auction for great prizes!, free cigars, trophies awarded during dinner. *NEW this year - Hole sponsorships available $100 - For additional information or questions, contact Nick Cirell of Highlanders Ski Club (412-4181065 - cirelln814@aol.com

Readings For The Next Week

Saturday, April 21 : Acts 6:1-7/ John 6:16-21 Sunday, April 22: Acts 3:13-15,17-19/ Luke 24:35-48 Monday, April 23: Acts 6:8-15/ John 6:22-29 Tuesday, April 24: Acts 7:51-8:1 / John 6:30-35 Wednesday, April 25: 1 Peter 5:5-14/ Mk 16:15-20 Thursday, April 26: Acts 8:26-40/ John 6:44-51 Friday, April 27: Acts 9:1-20/ John 6:52-59 Saturday, April 28: Acts 9:31-42/ John 6:60-69 Sunday, April 29: Acts 4:8-12 / John 10: 11-18

Belonging To The Church Means Belonging To The Church's Worship.

(St. Thomas Aquinas) To belong to Christ in baptism is to belong to an assembly of worshipers, a community of ritual and sacrament.