Sunday, February 19      

  9:00   Stanley Wielgopolski - Wife, Ann & Children

 11:15  Genevieve Evanick - Mary & Lou White

Monday, February 20   BL. JACINTA & FRANISCO

   7:00    Catherine Poplaski - Sivick Family

Tuesday, February 21  ST. DAMIAN

              NO MASS

Wednesday, February 22     ASH WEDNESDAY

  7:00   Stanley Franckowiak - Theresa Franckowiak

  5:15   Robert Page - Christian Women

Thursday, February 23    ST. POLYCARP

  7:00   Elizabeth M. Chacko - John Diaco

Friday, February 24   ST. MONTANUS

   7:00   Chester J. Wasilewski - Robert Bednarski

   5:15   Stations of the Cross

Saturday, February 25   

   4:00   Charles Babinski - Wife, Steffie

Sunday, February 26      

   9:00   Shirley Talacka - Husband, Ray & Son

 11:15   Gerri Malast - Cousin, Marie Bozentka & Family

SANCTUARY VOTIVES

Health of Percevalt Family -

By Dolores Ebert

FROM THE PASTOR

Lent begins this Ash Wednesday, February 22.  The last two weekends we have been focusing on the two traditional Lenten Disciplines - prayer and fasting.  It is important to repeat that if you do not spiritualize these disciplines without prayer then fasting and now almsgiving can be actions without much meaning.  If we want to have a fruitful Lent - a time "to renew and purify our hearts" - prayer is essential.  This week let us reflect on almsgiving.  It should be obvious by now, that almsgiving is simply a response by us to God, a response that we have come through prayer and fasting.  It is an expression of our gratitude for all that God has given us, and a realization that in the Body of Christ, it is never just "me and God".  Through prayer and fasting we come to a deeper understanding that the needs of all are the responsibility of all in the Body of Christ.  Works of charity and promotion of justice are integral elements of the Christian way of life we began when we were baptized.  Here are some suggestions:  make a donation to our parish Lenten project (bread, pasta, an Easter basket for a child); place your Operation Rice bowl somewhere and drop in some change for the hungry of the world; make a donation to St. Joseph's Table; donate some personal donations, such as clothes, books, shoes, to people in need; donate some time at the St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen; give some time to some lonely elderly person or visit a local nursing home, help tutor a child; donate old eye glasses or unused frames to the Lion's Club; send a donation to your favorite charity like the Wyoming Valley CYC or the Catherine McCauley House or if you are a youngster - show an act of kindness to a friend, write a letter to someone who is sick or lonely; help with a donation to Operation Rice Bowl.  In conclusion, we are to empty ourselves, not for the sake of self-control, but to be filled with God-transformed into Jesus.  Amen.  Have a great Lent.

LENTEN PRAYER AND DISCUSSION GROUPS

Please sign up to be a part of a "Prayer and Discussion Group" which will meet in homes (optional at the parish) once a week during Lent.  These will be 60-90 minute meetings which will include prayer based on the Sunday readings and a reflection on and discussion of Bishop Bambera's Pastoral Letter, Wounded and Loved, Re-gathering the Scattered. Refreshments will be served. Call Pat Kinsman @ 868-6262 for more information.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

Every Friday throughout the season of Lent, beginning this week, the Eucharistic Stations of the Cross will be prayed.  It begins at 5:30 p.m.  This service is a unique combination of the Stations and Eucharistic adoration.  Make your Lent special by coming to the Stations.

PARISH LENTEN FOOD PROJECT

Next Sunday, the First Sunday of Lent, we will be asking for Bread.  Each Sunday there will be a different item to help feed the hungry of our area.  Place your donation in a bag and place it on or in front of the altar railing before Mass.  The project is sponsored by our parish's Social Concerns Committee.

ST. JOSEPH'S TABLE

Your response has been wonderful.  For the month of February, St. Vincent de Paul Kitchen is in need of canned vegetables.  The demand for meals for the poor increases constantly.  Search your heart and be a blessing to others out of our blessings. 

INTERESTED IN JOINING OUR LADY OF HOPE PARISH?

If you would like to join our parish family, we welcome you with open arms.  Parish membership forms can be found on the tables by the Church door entrances or just call us.  Return the form by mail or drop them off in the collection baskets.