SAINT PETER CHURCH

ELIZABETHTOWN, PA FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER MAY 10, 2020

1

Dear Friends in Christ, Why Do I Believe in Jesus Christ?

I have watched some videos and attended webinars in the last two weeks on why atheists do not believe in Jesus Christ. One of their

central arguments against belief in Jesus or the existence of God is that there is no rational basis for such belief. British Philosopher

Bertrand Russel aptly captures this line of argument in an interview he granted a few years before his death in 1970. In his answer to the

question, why are you not a Christian? In his own words, he says he is not a believer in Jesus: “because I see no evidence whatsoever in

any of the Christian dogmas.” He goes on further to say that in his engagement in pursuit of knowledge, he concluded that Christian

dogmas are not true because they are irrational and one can’t verify their truthfulness. For instance, Russel considers Jesus teaching of

afterlife nonsensical. Jesus’ declaration and promise in John 14 about returning to heaven after his resurrection to prepare a place for

those who believe in him, and an invitation to faith in him as the way, truth, and life are rejected by Bertrand Russel and his likes in our

current age for lack of proof for the truthfulness of such claims. Can we make a compelling case for the evident truth of Christ and his

teachings? Yes, we can.

The incarnate Word, imago Dei, Jesus Christ himself is the proof of dogmas of Christian faith. My claim would be considered fallacious

and lacking in scientific evidence by philosophers and scientists respectively. But the onus of proof in this context and concerning this

subject is found in the person of Christ himself-the author of life. His words and teachings are true because God’s witness and testimony

are true (Jn 8:14). Consequently, we believe in God and all truths he revealed to us: we believe in heaven and hell, we believe in the

resurrection of the body at the end of life, we believe in the Parousia, and the last judgement. We believe in all teachings of Jesus

because they are self evident to perception of faith. These truths fall primarily within the purview of faith. The knowledge of the world and

what is known about it is not limited to the material form of knowledge; after all, our universe is composed of matter and spirit. Jesus is

the origin and ground of all human knowledge.

Jesus declares to the curious and knowledge-seeking Thomas, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (Jn 14:6). We know these

teaching to be true by the gift of faith and can verify it to be true by the life and works of believers in Christ down the ages who fulfill the

promise of Christ when he says that “he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do;

because I go to the Father.” (Jn 14:12). All humans are seeking for a way to truth and life, including atheists and agnostics and non-

Christians. Because the human soul cannot find perfect fulfillment in the material provision, Jesus provides the way to the essential

spiritual purpose of the humans. St. Augustine makes this clear in his sermons: “Every man can attain an understanding of the Truth and

the Life; but not all find the Way. The wise of this world realize that God is eternal life and knowable truth; but by the Word of God, who is

Truth and Life joined to the Father, has become the way by taking a human nature” (De Verbis Domini Sermones, 54).

For Many, like Bertrand Russel, who reject Jesus, “a cornerstone, chosen and precious” in the configuration of their lives, there are many

more who by grace believe or have faith in him as the cornerstone of their lives, and progress and joy are their lots. The growth in the

number of disciples and the widespread of the Way among Jews and Gentiles alike as we heard from Acts of the Apostles 6:1 are

concrete and verifiable evidence of the truthfulness of Christ teaching about himself when he says “whoever believes in me will do the

works that I do, and will do greater ones than these” (Jn 14:12). These self-evident truths of faith are parts of the reasons why I believe in

Jesus Christ, the reason why I am a Christian. It is part of our functions as partakers in the royal priesthood of Christ to offer sacrifices

and prayers for non-believers and carry out works of Christ to attract them to follow the Way.

In Christ, the way, the truth, and the life, Fr. Bernard Oniwe, OP

SAINT PETER CHURCH

ELIZABETHTOWN, PA FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER MAY 10, 2020

2

MAY 3, 2020 FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

SUNDAY ONLINE $ 7,753.00 SUNDAY ENVELOPES $ 6,813.88 TOTAL SUNDAY $ 14,566.88 EASTER $ 230 ($5,811)

HISTORIC CHURCH $ 375

Your weekly support is needed…

We are blessed that so many of our parishioners are continuing to give every week to St. Peter Church. During this extraordinary time our ordinary parish expenses continue, and your ongoing support is needed. Consider switching to On-line giving. It is a convenient and easy way to give weekly. It is not the only way, you may submit your weekly envelopes by mail, too. Regardless of which way you choose, thank you for your continued support!

⬧ Use Online Giving ~ www.osvonlinegiving.com/1403

The link is available on our website under More / Stewardship / Online Giving. Please call the office if questions.

⬧ Mail weekly envelopes to the office, 1840 Marshall Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022

⬧ Drop off envelopes to the office mailbox Mon / Wed /Thu from 10:00am –2:00pm.

YOUTH MESSAGES OF STEWARDSHIP & TALENT”

“I let my sibling play with my stuff.” “I served drinks at breakfast.”

“I helped my Mom with laundry.”

++++++++++++++

GROWING OUR FAITH & STRENGTHENING OUR MINISTRY CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

TOTAL AMOUNT PLEDGED: $2,105,144.48

TOTAL PAID TO DATE: $ 1,704,773.32

TOTAL DUE: $ 400,371.16

Fifth Sunday of Easter May 10, 2020

“How can we know the way?” Jesus shows us the way. Believe and he will do great works in you. (John 14: 1-12). If God may be calling you to the priesthood or consecrated life, visit our website at www.hbgdiocese.org, call Father Jonathan Sawicki at (717) 657-4804, or write: frjsawicki@hbgdiocese.org.

OUR SANCTUARY CANDLES ILLUMINATE THIS WEEK FOR:

~ HISTORIC CHURCH ~

In Loving Memory of

Theresa Barone

Given by the Rankin Family

~ CHURCH ~

In Honor of All Mothers

Living & Deceased

PRAYER DURING A PANDEMIC

O clement, O loving, O sweet Mother Mary,

We, your children of every nation,

Turn to you in this pandemic.

Our troubles are numerous; our fears are great.

Grant that we might deposit them at your feet,

Take refuge in your Immaculate Heart,

And obtain peace, healing, rescue,

And timely help in all our needs. You are our Mother.

Pray for us to your Son. Amen.

ALTAR & STATUE FLOWERS

This weekend we were scheduled to resume our flower memorials. As we are not congregating for Mass, the office is not going to order flowers. When we resume Mass together we will again order flowers. If you had dates reserved we hope to have other options for memorializing your loved ones.

Thank you!

CONGRATULATIONS

Cynthia Gotowski

2020 Golden Apple Recipient

“This award is truly an honor. It fills me with a sense of gratitude to teach in a Catholic school. It makes me think of those teachers in my own life who inspired me to be a teacher. I also think of all of my students who walk through my classroom door who inspire me each day to be the best that I can be. I thank everyone for their prayers and support.”

In Memoriam

~ Ronald Falkenstein ~

Brother of Judi Caldwell

“Eternal Rest Grant Unto Him O Lord, and Let Perpetual Light Shine Upon Him. May All of the Faithful

Departed, Through the Mercy of God, rest in Peace. Amen.”

SAINT PETER CHURCH

ELIZABETHTOWN, PA FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER MAY 10, 2020

3

THANK YOU TO OUR BULLETIN SPONSOR OF THE WEEK

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESALE REALTY

LETHEA MYERS 717-367-3866

All Mass Intentions below will be offered during

Fr. Bernard’s daily private Masses.

SAT/SUN MAY 9/10 FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER 10:30 AM For the Health & Well Being of our Parish Family & Nation (C) MON, MAY 11 11:00 AM James & Mary McLaughlin (HC) Cindy & Mary Barr TUE, MAY 12 11:00 AM Chris Klinger (HC) Klinger Family WED, MAY 13 11:00 AM Violet Ethel & May Haines (HC) Patti Becker THUR, MAY 14 11:00 AM Ronald Nalewak (HC) CCW FRI, MAY 15 11:00 AM Carol Hughes (HC) Janice Nalewak SAT/SUN MAY 16/17 SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER 10:30 AM For the Health & Well Being of our Parish Family & Nation (C) All Masses are streamed live on our Facebook page, stpeterparishelizabethtown. And, later posted on our website, www.stpeteretown.org/onlinemasses. Follow us on Facebook.

Scripture Readings Week of May 10, 2020

Sunday Fifth Sunday of Easter Acts 6:1-7; Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19; 1 Pt 2:4-9; Jn 14:1-12 Monday Acts 14:5-18; Ps 115:1-2, 3-4, 15-16; Jn 14:21-26 Tuesday Saints Nereus and Achilleus, Martyrs; Saint Pancras, Martyr Acts 14:19-28; Ps 145:10-11, 12-13ab, 21; Jn 14:27-31a Wednesday Our Lady of Fatima

Acts 15:1-6; Ps 122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5; Jn 15:1-8

Thursday Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle Acts 1:15-17, 20-26; Ps 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8; Jn 15:9-17 Friday Memorial of Saint Isidore

Acts 15:22-31; Ps 57:8-9, 10 and 12; Jn 15:12-17

Saturday Acts 16:1-10; Ps 100:1b-2, 3, 5; Jn 15:18-21 Sunday Sixth Sunday of Easter Acts 8:5-8, 14-17; Ps 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20; 1 Pt 3:15-18; Jn 14:15-21

The Catholic Witness is Going Digital

The Catholic Witness has been privileged to share the news from our parishes, Catholic schools, Charities and our Diocesan programs for more than 50 years. Like all parishes, Catholic schools and businesses throughout our Diocese and Commonwealth, we have also felt the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. As you will read in this Friday’s issue of the Witness, we have made the difficult decision to temporarily suspend the printed version of The Catholic Witness, after the May 1 edition. The news will continue in an all-digital format, delivered weekly via email and also accessible on The Catholic Witness pages of our website. To assist us with this transition, we are asking parishioners to use the form in the Witness to subscribe to the digital Catholic Witness. Please know that we will never sell, share or use the faithful’s contact information for any means other than sharing news from the Diocese.

LANCASTER CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Job Opportunities

Librarian Needed – Permanent Part-Time Lancaster Catholic High School seeks a permanent part-time Librarian starting in the 2020-2021 school year. Responsibilities include instruction of on-line resources, as well as maintenance of the LCHS collection, circulation and cataloging databases. Minimum qualifications include a PA secondary certification (or equivalent) in Library Science, library experience at the high school level and appropriate clearances.

Spanish Teacher Needed – Permanent Part-Time Lancaster Catholic High School seeks a permanent part-time Spanish teacher starting in the 2020-2021 school year. Minimum qualifications include a PA secondary certification (or equivalent) in Spanish and appropriate clearances. Preferred qualifications include a master’s degree in Spanish, and experience teaching Spanish at the high school level.

A pastor’s recommendation will be required. Interested applicants should forward a cover letter, resume, certifications and list of references to Mrs. Cecile Carr, ccarr@lchsyes.org, by May 22, 2020.

SAINT PETER CHURCH ELIZABETHTOWN, PA FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER MAY 10, 2020

4

A Mother’s Day Blessing

Blessed is the Mother Who lets the Lord be her

guiding hand, Whose faith brings her family courage,

Whose wisdom comes from God,

And whose children still stand and

honor her.