MISSION STATEMENT—St. Mary’s is a caring and welcoming family committed to building and strengthening a community of God, reaching out as disciples of Jesus Christ to Freeport and beyond.

St. Mary, Mother of God Church Roman Catholic Church

608 High Street ~ Freeport, PA 16229 A Parish of the Diocese of Greensburg

A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust Established 1826

Parish Staff William Girardi, Pastoral Associate—412-719-7085 Claudia Vertosick Business Manager/Parish Secretary Helen James, Religious Education Director Thomas Koharchik, Choir Director Cindi Harbison Social Hall Coordinator—724-272-7744 Jennifer Liti/David Valencic Parish Custodians Richard Bertino, Cemetery Caretaker 724-295-3632 (home); 724-602-5986 (cell)

Ministries

Kristen Marhefka/Julie Polana Gardone Teen Ministry Melissa Kristine/Beth Macurdy Evangelization John Nemcek—Homebound Ministry Gina Jones—Helping Hands 724-448-9251; ginaj1904@gmail.com

Organizations Diane Grant—Christian Mothers Ray Smetana/Mary Ellen Gray St. Vincent de Paul Society Tim Fogarty—Men’s Group

Office Information Administrative Center Numbers & Hours : 724-295-2281 (Office) 724-295-3090 (Fax) Monday through Thursday - 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Friday - 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Parish Website: www.stmaryfreeport.com Parish Email Address: thechurch@stmaryfreeport.com Facebook: Saint Mary, Mother of God - Freeport Send Information to share: stmarysocialmedia@yahoo.com

Father Ronald Maquiñana—Pastor rmaquinana@dioceseofgreensburg.org

Parish Information Saturday (Vigil): 4:00 P.M. Sunday: 8:30 & 11:00 A.M. Weekday Masses: Monday through Friday 8:00 A.M. Holy Day of Obligation: 8:00 A.M. & 7:00 P.M.

Reconciliation: Saturday - 3:00—3:45 P.M. Baptism: Sundays within the 11:00 A.M. Mass (by appointment)

Marriage: Contact the Parish nine months in advance Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults: RCIA helps you to learn more about the Catholic faith. Pre-registration is required. Contact Fr. Ron or William Girardi at 724-295-2281.

Hospital or Home Visit: If you would like to receive Holy Communion or if you know someone who would like to have the priest visit, please call Fr. Ron at 724-295-2281.

Anointing of the Sick: Contact Fr. Ron at 724-295-2281

Holy Communion: Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are available to bring the Eucharist to the sick and homebound. If you know of someone, please call the Administrative Office at 724-295-2281.

Baptism: To understand the importance of the Sacrament of Baptism and your obligation as parents, you are required to attend one baptismal class. To register for one of these classes, please call the Administrative Office at 724-295-2281.

=(in memory of) ♥=(IHO/special intention/parishioners) MASSES FOR THE 22ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

SATURDAY: August 31st 4:00 P.M. David Shipe (Carm Acre) SUNDAY: September 1st 8:30 A.M. ♥IHO Fr. John Euker (Jeff & Gina Jones) 11:00 A.M. ♥St. Mary Parishioners MONDAY: September 2nd 9:00 A.M. Andrew & Pauline Rezak (Posney Family) TUESDAY: September 3rd 8:00 A.M. Delores Wassum (Sisters) WEDNESDAY: September 4th 8:00 A.M. Bill Davis (Pat Davis) THURSDAY: September 5th 8:00 A.M. Alberta Hager (Silvia Sikora) FRIDAY: September 6th 8:00 A.M. Sr. Mary Dennis, CSJ (The Miller Family) 6:30 P.M. Benediction

MASSES FOR THE 23RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME SATURDAY: September 7th 4:00 P.M. Wilma & Gib Kelly (Family) SUNDAY: September 8th 8:30 A.M. Ken Hughes (Elaine & Jack Zydil) 11:00 A.M. ♥St. Mary Parishioners

ALTAR SERVERS: Saturday, 4:00 P.M. Fred Walker; Lauren and Leah Clark Sunday, 8:30 A.M. Alexandra Lasko; Sarah, Hannah & Emma Shepherd; Abby Koharchik Sunday, 11:00 A.M. Jacob & Erin Schaeffer; Paige Liti; Evan Giori EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION: Saturday, 4:00 P.M. Stella Aul; Nancy Forbick; Dave Brestensky Sunday, 8:30 A.M. Tom Brestensky; Karen Nigra; Carol Carson Sunday, 11:00 A.M. Helen James; Marushka Steele; Dan Lucovich LECTORS: Saturday, 4:00 P.M. Jackie DeFelice Sunday, 8:30 A.M. Judy Bergstrom Sunday, 11:00 A.M. Bill Cogley GREETERS: Saturday, 4:00 P.M. Gary & Arlene Miller Sunday, 8:30 A.M. Diane Grant; Janis Harbison Sunday, 11:00 A.M. Rose Naughton ORGANIST: Saturday, 4:00 P.M. Diane Pleva Sunday, 8:30 A.M. Tom Koharchik Sunday, 11:00 A.M. Dave Wesolosky CANTOR: Saturday, 4:00 P.M. Alex Smith Sunday, 8:30 A.M. Tom Koharchik Sunday, 11:00 A.M. Kathy Conley

Please contact the parish office if you would like to

volunteer for any of these liturgical ministries!

Ministry Schedule September 7th & 8th, 2019

Readings for the Week

Monday: 1 Thes 4:13-18; Ps 96:1, 3-5, 11-13; Lk 4:16-30 Tuesday: 1 Thes 5:1-6, 9-11; Ps 27:1, 4, 13- 14; Lk 4:31-37 Wednesday: Col 1:1-8; Ps 52:10-11; Lk 4:38-44 Thursday: Col 1:9-14; Ps 98:2-6; Lk 5:1-11 Friday: Col 1:15-20; Ps 100:1b-5; Lk 5:33- 39 Saturday: Col 1:21-23; Ps 54:3-4, 6, 8; Lk 6:1- 5 Sunday: Wis 9:13-18b; Ps 90:3-6, 12-17; Phlm 9-10, 12-17; Lk 14:25-33

SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time; World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation Monday: Labor Day Tuesday: St. Gregory the Great Friday: First Friday Saturday: Blessed Virgin Mary; First Saturday

Faith Formation For Parishioners! Now every parishioner can experience hundreds of hours viewing, read-ing, and listening to the best Catholic content. Enjoy more than 300 episodes of beautiful and compelling video series, feature-length movies, motivating and spiritually-enriching eBooks, and over 40 hours of audio content.

Register your account by going to: www.formed.org and use our parish account (case-sensitive) VNX4G6.

It is hard to believe that we are now in the month of September and tomor-row is Labor Day, a holiday that is dedicated to all workers who contributed to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country in all aspects whether in eco-nomics, developments, education, sports, industries and many others. Thanks to our hardworking parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends and all sectors of the society for what they do for us. This year will be the 125th anniversary of Labor Day since President Grover

Cleveland signed it into a law on June 28th, 1894, making the first Monday in September of each year a national holiday. However, as a parish, we also have an important date to remember during the month of Septem-ber and that is our parish anniversary. Sunday, September 8th will be our 193rd year as a parish. We will celebrate this in a special way by having our picnic following the 11:00 A.M. mass, to remind us to be grateful for our great history that up to this very moment, we are still existing and growing. Thank you to our patroness, Our Blessed Mother, for her protection and guidance. I believe she is always there to accompany us in our faith journey. Also, thank you to all our ancestors, for had not it been for them, we would not have a beautiful Church that serves as our place of worship and a great symbol of our faith. I encourage you to join us in our celebration on Sunday, September 8th, at Renshaw Farm locat-ed at 314 Ford City Road, Freeport. Bring your family and friends and let us celebrate our 193rd Parish Anniversary! This is also our humble way of thanking you for your generous support to our parish, espe-cially with the Diocesan Lenten Appeal that is making all of our projects possible.

“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” – Melody Beattie

Calendar of Events/Meetings August 31st Wedding - 1:30 P.M.—Roscia/Mravintz September 1st Deadline to sign up for mass, the Annual Parish Picnic and celebration of Fr. Ron’s Incardination September 2nd Labor Day—Parish Office Closed September 4th The Bible Timeline: The Story of Salvation - 9:00-10:30 A.M.—Fellowship Hall September 5th The Bible Timeline: The Story of Salvation - 6:30-8:00 P.M.—Fellowship Hall September 6th First Friday - 6:30 P.M.—Benediction September 7th Rosary in the Prayer Garden in honor of the Blessed Mother’s birthday - 7:00 P.M. September 8th Parish Picnic - 11:00 A.M.—Outside Mass at Renshaw Farm - Picnic from 12:00 Noon-3:00 P.M. September 9th Christian Mothers Meeting - 7:00 P.M.—Christian Mothers’ Room

Parish Events/Information

If you are new to the area, we invite you to share fully in our parish life. Your presence brings vitality and new gifts to the community. Please take a moment to register. Forms are available

at all of the church entrances or by calling the Administrative Office at 724-295-2281.

We con nue to follow-thru with

our projects made possible by your DLA charita-

ble dona ons. Repoin ng and cleaning of the

sandstone foun-da on, including mortar repairs.

Special thanks to Rob Svitek for the removal of the old sidewalk in

front of our prayer gar-den. We also thank the Brestensky brothers for pouring the new side-walk!! God's Blessings

to everyone!

Happy Birthday to one of the pillars of our parish—Betty Canterna.

Betty turned 95 on August 25th!

News/Activities from Our Ministries/Organizations

Have you visited our beau ful prayer garden! Many of the granite rosary stones for the prayer garden have been engraved and can be viewed at each of the church entrances. Only Hail Mary stones are s ll available for sale at $300.00 each. If you are interested in honoring a loved one, order forms are located at each of the church entrances or you can contact Judy Bergstrom at 724-316-5352.

On Saturday, September 7th, the Chris an Mothers will say the rosary at 7:00 P.M. in the prayer garden in honor of the Blessed Mother’s birthday. Anyone is welcome to join them! The Chris an Mother’s monthly mee ngs resume this month. Mee ng for September will be held on Monday, September 9th, at 7:00 P.M., in the Chris an Mother’s Room. All members are encouraged to a end. The rosary will be recited at 6:30 P.M.

Beau ful weather made it a perfect day for the Chris an Mother’s annual family picnic on Sunday, August 25th!

Holy Water - As we enter the doors to our beloved St. Mary’s Church, Holy Water fonts await our eager fingers. This sacramental is another one of those “Catholic things” that we just take for granted. Out of mere habit, we miss the amazing graces and symbolism that it contains. Why do we use Holy Water and

what can it do for us? First and foremost, it is a reminder and remembrance of our own Bap sm into Christ. At the moment of our Bap sm, we are brought into the household of God as a beloved son or daughter of the Good Father who loves us. We are remind-ed of the waters of crea on, walking through the Red Sea with Moses, Jesus rising out of the Jordan with John the Bap st, and the merciful blood and water which poured from Christ’s side on Calvary. Secondly, Holy Water is a symbolic purifica on of us as we prepare to celebrate the Sacrifice of the Mass. The ancient Jews would wash in a purifying bath called a Mikvah before entering the temple. Now in the New Covenant, Holy Water has the power to cleanse us of our venial sins. “Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow” Psalm 51:7. Lastly, it helps us to switch gears from the mundane and profane of the world outside to the Holy and Sacred presence of Jesus in the Most Holy Eucharist. In the early church, fountains would be directly outside of the church as a reminder that we are passing through cleansing waters from the commonplace to the heavenly. So, at the next Holy Mass that we a end, let us a en vely dip our fingers into the basin that holds this powerful sacramental, make the sign of the cross and u er the prayer “Cleanse and purify me so I may worship and receive you most worthily.” Amen!

To understand the importance of the Sacrament of Bap sm and your obliga on as parents, you are required to a end one bap smal class. The remaining classes scheduled for 2019 will be held Thursday, September 12th and Thursday, December 12th. To register, call Mark or Melissa at 724-230-4450 or the Administra ve Office at 724-295-2281.

Outside Our Diocese

News from Our Diocese Natural Family Planning CM-BBT (NFP) instruc on will be held on Saturday, September 14th (10:00 A.M.-12:30 P.M.), Monday, October 14th and Monday, November 11th (both Mondays will be from 6:00-8:30 P.M.) in the Catholic Chari es office in Greens-burg. Contact Mary Ann Newhouse at Catholic Chari es at 724-837-1840, Ext. 1658 for more informa on or to register for this or an upcoming class. Call at least one week prior to the instruc on date to preregister. If you would like addi onal informa on, please visit: www.cchari esgreensburg.org and link into Natural Family Planning under “Services.”

Around our Diocese

The annual a ernoon of reflec on for people with disabili es and life-challenging illnesses is set for Sunday, September 8th from 12:30-6:00 P.M. at Our Lady of Grace Parish. The program, with the theme “We are the Light of the World,” will feature teachings, music, fellowship, Mass at 4:00 PM. and dinner at 5:15. Msgr. Lawrence R. Kiniry will serve as moderator. Cost is $8.00/person. Those a ending are asked to fill a gallon-sized plas c bag with a toothbrush, toothpaste, full-sized bar of soap and washcloth (all new and in original packaging) for a mission project in the Philippines. For reserva ons/informa on, please contact Rita Shapiola, 724-537-3851 (include phone number and email address).

Do you love to sing? St. Mary’s Choir welcomes anyone who genuinely enjoys learning and singing wonderful music. The Choir rehearses on Sunday mornings from 9:45 - 10:45 A.M., and sings at the 11:00 A.M. mass every Sunday morning from September to mid-June and on all holy days. The first rehearsal will be on Sunday, September 15th; the first mass a er the summer hiatus will also be on September 15th. We’d love to have you with us!

All Altar Servers, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and Greeters are asked to pick up their new schedules in the Sacristy a er today’s mass. Note - Please remember to find a replacement if you cannot serve your scheduled me.

A new RCIA season will begin in the fall! Do you know someone who might want to join the Catholic Church? Do you want to become more involved in your own faith and learn more? Do you just want to find out more about the Catholic Church and what it teaches? Consider joining us for RCIA, the Rite of Chris an Ini a on for Adults. It’s open to anyone who is curious about their Church and their faith. Classes will begin in late

September. Contact Fr. Ron or Bill Girardi (724-295-2281) to register or for addi onal details.

First Day of CCD is September 15th! If you have a child that will be a ending pre-school or kindergar-ten in September or if there is anyone that has recently joined our parish and has to pre-register their children for Religious Educa on classes (Pre-School thru 8th grade), please call Helen James, Director of Religious Educa on, at 724-295-4758. If your child a ended our Religious Educa on program last year

(1st thru 8th grade only), there is no need to re-register this year! Please keep in mind that those who a ended pre-school or kindergarten last year must re-register again this year! Remember, Religious Educa on doesn’t end because your child received their sacrament, our faith is RICH and we should always keep learning. Would you like to become a more ac ve member of our parish? Why not consider joining our team of dedicated volunteers. Our Religious Educa on Program is in need of security guards for the September 2019-2020 term. If you are interested in volunteering your me, please call Helen James at 724-295-4758. And please, keep our catechists and children in your prayers as they plan to journey together in holiness.

The St. Lawrence Fes val, Cadogan, will be held on Saturday, September 7th from 11:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. There will be food, fun, games and raffles galore! They will be raffling off over 100 beau ful baskets, cash, a pair of ckets for the Toby Keith concert, a pair of ckets for Rascal Fla s concert and other specialty baskets. They will also have a 50/50 raffle. For addi onal informa on, please call 724-763-3305.

Knights of Columbus will sponsor a Pancake & Sausage Breakfast on Sunday, September 8th at the Council Home, 28 Garfield Street, Natrona, from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Cost is $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for children under 6. Take you family and friends to this council fundraiser! Everyone is welcome!

Offertory Collection for August 25th,2019 No. of Envelopes Mailed Out: 599 No. of Envelopes Received: 163

Collection: Offertory - $4,910.24 Electronic Payments (9) - $625.00

Loose - $420.00; Children (8) - $10.00 Assumption of the BVM (2) - $15.00

Combined Catholic University/Catholic Schools (21) - $479.00

Total Collection - $6,459.24 THANK YOU!

The Altar Bread and Wine were donated for this week in loving memory of Thomas Gancas By Yvonne & Family

In acknowledging the Real Presence of Christ, The Sanctuary Lamp (Candle) will burn

this week in loving memory of

Lorna Lomack By

Ken Peth

Some families have already chosen to make their donations through Electronic Giving. Why not ex-plore the convenience of this option? Electronic Giving is intended to be a convenient tool for you to contribute weekly or monthly or to make other do-nations to the church, electronically. With this op-tion, you can forget about writing checks or swing-ing by the ATM. When signing up through your bank-ing institution, please remember to provide your en-velope number. Thank you!

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