Pastor’s Note: February 10, 2019
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
A Scout is Reverent!
Growing up in the Carrick/Overbrook section of the City of Pittsburgh, Scouting was always part of the Burke family. My sisters, Lisa and Linda were Girl Scouts, my mom was a “Cookie Mom” organizing Girl Scout Cookie Sales, and my dad and I were active in Boy Scout Troop 614 at St. Norbert’s. I have many fond memories camping at Heritage Reservation, Camp Twin, Camp Guyasuta and going to Haliburton Scout Reserve in Canada. I still have a trophy of catching the largest fish on Lake Courage at Heritage Reservation during a week at Summer Camp. I achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in 1985 and before entering the seminary I worked for the Greater Pittsburgh Council as a District Executive in the Steel City District. Two of my nephews, Wyatt and Donovan are also Eagle Scouts. Scouting promotes good morals and values and the Catholic Committee on Scouting organizes a Scout Mass every year at St. Paul Cathedral where scouts can receive Religious Awards learning about Scouting and their Catholic faith. This weekend we celebrate Scout Sunday at the 11am mass. We welcome all Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, their leaders and their parents. A scout is reverent!
This weekend we celebrate the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The readings focus on God calling us to follow him. Both the first reading and gospel present us with portraits of vocations that are born out of living experience of the Lord.
In the first reading from the Prophet Isaiah, we read how a prophet steps forward to bring God’s word to the people. Isaiah expresses his complete unworthiness but God cleanses him and gives him strength. In the Second reading from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, Paul reflects on being the last of the Apostles, and being honored to be chosen by God to hand down the truth of the Gospel. In today’s Gospel of Luke, we read how Jesus is near the Sea of Galilee, Lake Gennesaret, as he calls his first Apostles. He calls Simon Peter, a fisherman, to follow him. Peter, James and John leave everything behind and follow him. Let us see how the Lord is calling us to follow him and answer the call.
A Scout is Reverent!
Hospital Chaplains If you or a loved one is admitted to one of the major hospitals in the Pittsburgh Area (Mercy, Allegheny General, Shadyside, Montefiore, Presbyterian, UPMC East, or St. Margaret) please let the nursing staff notify the Catholic Chaplain on duty for the Sacrament of Anointing. Every hospital in the Diocese of Pittsburgh has a full time Catholic Chaplain on duty.
End of the Year Tax Statements Please note that at all three of our campuses, St.Bede, St. Charles Lwanga, and St. James, there was a computer glitch with the end of the year offertory statements. We are working on correcting the issue. New e-mails and letters will be sent out shortly.
It is very important that registered parishioners use their parish envelopes or participate in the On Line giving program and keep track of their donations for income tax reporting.
Also, when you drop your envelope in the collection, Please mark the amount of your donation on the front of the envelope clearly so that it may be accurately recorded to your account and if at all possible, PLEASE DO NOT COMBINE REGULAR OFFETORY WITH A SECOND COLLECTION DONATION. Please use separate checks.
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If you contributed to the “Our Campaign for the Church Alive! fund, the Diocese will be sending out end- of- the- year statements separately.*
In Memory of Sara Rooney Sara Rooney who was a long time parishioner at St. Bede, passed away on December 9, 2018, left a generous bequest to St. Bede parish in her will.
When making your Living Will preparations, please remember your parish. Financial donations help the parish meet its operating costs and helps with parish improvements.
Little Sisters of the Poor The Little Sisters of the Poor will be with us after all the Masses next weekend collecting to enable them to continue the work to care for the elderly at their home on Benton Avenue in Brighton Heights. Please be as generous as possible.
Something to Think About… “The most worth-while thing is to try to put happiness into the lives of others.” Robert Baden-Powell, Founder of Scouting