St. Clare of Assisi Parish Parish Office: 460 Reed Street Clairton PA 15025

Phone: 412-233-7870 Fax: 412-233-0742 Office Hours: Mondays - Thursdays 8AM-2PM CLOSED Fridays

Email: stclareparish2@comcast.net Web Site: www.stclareofassisiparish.com

MISSION STATEMENT We are a Family,

United in the Eucharist, Guided by the Holy Spirit,

Called by Jesus Christ to Grow in Faith, Love and Prayer

in Harmony with the Universal Catholic Church

We will achieve our parish mission by worshipping together and working to evangelize, educate and

serve each other and the entire community.

PASTOR: Rev. Charles J. Baptiste BUSINESS MANAGER: Kathleen Ulmer SECRETARY: Elaine Mancini MUSIC MINISTRY: Sean Thornton BUILDINGS & GROUNDS: Amy Ference HOMEBOUND MINISTRY: Beverly Mazza SAFE ENVIRONMENT COORDINATOR: Lorraine Carter ABUSE HOTLINE: 1-800-932-0313

MASSES: Saturday 4:30PM (Sunday Vigil) Sunday 9:30AM Weekdays 7:00PM (Monday) 8:00AM (Tuesday thru Friday)

RECONCILIATION: After Mass on Monday Evenings & 12:30PM Saturdays BAPTISMS: Call the Parish Office to schedule a day and time. WEDDINGS: Call the Parish Office at least six months in advance. The Diocese requires each couple to attend a pre-marriage course.

ST. CLARE CEMETERY: Worthington Ave. For Information call the Parish Office.

A Pennsylvania Charitable Trust

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS – May 14/15 Pages 170 - 167 NEXT SUNDAY’S READINGS – May 21/22 Proverbs 8:22—31 – Page 174 Romans 5:1—5 – Page 175 John 16:12—15 – Page 176

WEEKLY MASS SCHEDULE

PENTECOST SUNDAY – May 14/15

4:30PM Lillian “Kathy” Julian - (Mark Julian) 9:30AM For The Parishioners MONDAY, May 16 – Weekday 7:00PM Robert Ferrare - (Wife, Meryl) Reconciliation After Mass TUESDAY, May 17 – Weekday 8:00AM Olga Kensky - (Marochak Family) WEDNESDAY, May 18 – Weekday 8:00AM Mother Angelica - (Friends from St. Clare of Assisi Parish) THURSDAY, May 19 – Weekday 8:00AM Martha Stercula - (Ed Lucot & Family) FRIDAY, May 20 – Weekday 8:00AM John Monyak - (Dorothy Garrity) SATURDAY, May 21 12:30PM Reconciliation THE MOST HOLY TRINITY SUNDAY – May 21/22

4:30PM Anthony Valvo - (Family) 9:30AM For The Parishioners

WEEKEND MINISTERS - May 21/22

4:30PM - Eucharistic Ministers - Tom Caldwell, Gary Massaro, Jennifer Massaro Lector - Michael Thornton

Altar Servers - Colton Boring, Aaron Maricic Head Ushers - Mike DiCarlo, Ed Obusek

9:30AM - Eucharistic Ministers - Bernadette Baznik, Lori Chasko, Joseph Costello Lector - Kathy Mihal Altar Servers - Joe Chasko, Kevin Stretavski

Head Ushers - Ray York, Vince Gori

May 15, 2016 PENTECOST SUNDAY

Sunday, May 15 10:45AM - Counting Team #1

4PM - Air Quality EXPO - CEDCC Community Center (All invited) 282 St. Clair Ave.

Tuesday, May 17

6:30PM - Apostolate Committee Mtg - Parish Office

Thursday, May 19 7PM - Clairton Municipal Authority Meeting

Board Room - 1 N. State Street Priest’s Support Group Gathering*

Saturday, May 21

Armed Forces Day 12:30PM - Reconciliation

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Reflection: The Church Alive Years ago, shortly after Fr. David Zubik became Bishop Zubik, our new bishop wrote his First Pastoral Letter in June 2008 on The Church Alive. It is because of the work of the Holy Spirit that the Church is Alive after two millennia. This is a faith that not only exists in our minds, but also, truly courses through our blood through all these years. Many moons ago, a neighbor, a cousin and I did the sacred act (so we thought) of becoming Blood Brothers. Getting out our pocket knives, that I am sure were not sterile, we cut our fingers and then touched blood, one to another. We believed it would create a bond that would last a lifetime, one in which we would understand each other and be faithful friends to each other always. Being quoted in the Acts of the Apostles 20:27-28, St Paul says: “And so I solemnly declare to you this day that I am not responsible for the blood of any of you, for I did not shrink from proclaiming to you the entire plan of God. Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, in which you tend the Church of God that he acquired with his own Blood.” He is letting us know that once we partake of the Holy Spirit and the Eucharist, he, St. Paul, will not be responsible for the souls of those who neglect or reject the Blood of Christ that now courses through their very being. We, in fact, have become the living Body of Christ, responsible for living in a new way, outside the slavery in which this world continually tries to entrap us. St. Paul has to challenge his hearers to be faithful in many ways. A Christian life was to be markedly different in many ways from the norm of society. First, believers were to be faithful to prayer and the Sabbath. The faithful were called to see each other as brother/sister in the best ways. A Christian was called to live for the next life rather than to become comfortable and wealthy in this life. The new Christians were not to be a people of greed or licentiousness; they were called to make sure the most destitute had all their needs met and that no one was to be used for their own gratification, or as a power game. When one looks at our desires, as a people or our political malaise, we can see that sometimes it is not a pure faith that we desire most, but more the trappings of society with all its burdens and or privileges it offers. If only we would look at our political system. Do we try to see what can be done for the most vulnerable, or rather grasp for the leader who, we think, will make our lives more cushy and lucrative? Aren’t we prone to vote for one who asks less of us and offers more? If this is true, we won’t be living as the Spirit prompts, but we will be bowing to the Buck Thorn tree. (Judges, 9:14-15)

To live in the Spirit promised today, is to try to live a life open to the will of God; a God who put all pretentiousness aside so to lift us, the most poor and neglected, up to a place of respect and dignity that mankind can still hardly imagine. This will take courage and if we really want the Church to be Alive, we first have to remember whose Blood and Spirit courses through our veins.

Keeping Our “Church Alive” in Clairton. From OUR PAST. . .

St. Clare – St. Joseph – St. Paulinus To OUR PRESENT. . .

St. Clare of Assisi Parish 1994 – 2016 and INTO OUR FUTURE. . .

. . .by making the celebration of our Liturgies and Sacraments a joyous and spiritual event in our lives!

Peace, Fr. Chuck

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- - This Week - -

*PRIEST’S SUPPORT GROUP This gathering, listed on our calendar for Thursday, May 19, is a support group of priests who gather to pray, have a meal together and speak to one another about their lives, their joys and their challenges. Fr. Chuck will again be meeting with Frs. Tom, John and Steven to share fellowship that encourages them to be “on fire” for their ministry and a reminder that they are not alone. Please keep them in your prayers!

LOVE AND CHERISH FAMILY LIFE Copies of Pope Francis’ new book, “The Joy of Love” are in the Book Rack on the Church vestibule Credenza. If interested, please take one, but return it after you have read it so others may also enjoy it. Books are $15 if you wish to add one to your family library. Additional copies are available in the Parish Office.

PLEASE PRAY FOR Our Sick and Shut-ins. . . Barbara Antrom, Pete Azzari, Fr. Chuck Baptiste, Eleanor Berggren, Vincent Capane, Maria Campano, Gloria Cerasoli, Fran Colonna, Mildred Demchak, Sheila Eddy, Rebecca Farabaugh, Meryl Ferrare, Kathleen Geletko, Genevieve Hartman, Mary Julian, Sophie Jupin, Off. James Kuzak Jr., Ann E. Martin, Linda Massaro, Audrey Mihalko, Sandra Milas, Diane Moran, Barbara Pavlack, Kathryn Pavlack, Lou Pavlack, Jr., Martha Petras, Betty Rothbauer, Angelo Sgroi, Fr. Angelus Shaughnessy, Ruth Ann Skop, Sophie Slavick, John Sorrentino, Fr. Bonaventure Stefun, Kathy Tachoir, Catherine Vukovich, Rita York - and all Names and Intentions listed in our Prayer Request Book

FISCAL YEAR JULY 2015 - JUNE 2016

Budgeted Weekly Offering Required….......$ 5,128.00 Actual Weekly Offering May 7/8……....…...$ 3,793.00 Weekly Deficit……………………………..…$ - 1,335.00 Caring Ministry Fund…………………...……$ 645.00 Parish Share 2016 YTD.. …………..…….....$ 9,801.00 Cemetery Envelopes 2016 YTD..…….…....$ 3,874.00

For family members of our parishioners serving in the military:

Dante Capane, Tara Felker, Gregory Lentz, Jason Middleton, Daucent Radlien Jr., Michael Santoline, Anthony Svetz,

Andrew West, Jeffery West

PRAYERS FOR OUR SEMINARIANS This week, please pray for Kristian Sherman from St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen Parish, Butler.

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CONCERNING OUR CEMETERY. . .

OFFERTORY COLLECTION

CONCERNING OUR FUNDRAISERS. . .

If you are a shut-in or know someone who is and they would like to receive Holy Communion, please call the Parish Office.

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WE PRAY FOR ALL EMERGENCY PERSONNEL,

MILITARY PERSONNEL, ALL POLICEMEN,

POLICEWOMEN, FIREFIGHTERS, EMTS AND THEIR FAMILIES

GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY - Drawing May 31 Envelopes Entered To Date: 92

BULLETIN ADS We are scheduling Sponsors for 2017. If there’s a weekend you would like to reserve that has a special meaning for you; whether it is for a birthday, death or wedding anniversary, happy ad, company ad, a “just because” note, or a donation made anonymously, please call the Parish Office, or place your request along with $25 in the mail or collection basket. Bulletin sponsors help to defray the cost of printing our bulletin in-house.

The Second Collection THIS weekend is for the CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES; for the Churches in Latin America, Central and Eastern Europe and Africa.

Please remember St. Clare of Assisi Parish in your Will or Estate Plan.

FLOWERS FOR THE ALTAR

If you would like to have flowers placed at the Church Altar, at the Tabernacle or in front of the Statue of St. Clare in remembrance of a loved one, please call the Parish Office.

CONCERNING OUR PARISH. . .

THANK YOU. . . to the Parish and to the Apostolate Committee Members . . .from organizers of the Jefferson Hospital Community Stroke Outreach Program for “your generous gift of $150 and for the many volunteers from your parish family. This screening reached 41 participants; promoting an awareness of stroke prevention and identifying numerous risk factors that need to be addressed.” . . .from Sr. Mary Parks, Executive Director of Sisters Place, “for supporting the 9th Annual Hats Off to Mom Luncheon. Your ‘monetary gift, presence and gift of a basket raffle prize’ helps to provide housing and services to local homeless families.”

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A PLACE OF MERCY Catholic Cemeteries are places of God’s mercy, where we can experience His unfailing love. In quiet moments in these sacred places throughout our diocese, you can experience God’s love lifting us up and leading us on through our grief. To bury the dead and pray for those who have died is a work of mercy perfected in our cemetery.

CONGRATULATIONS . . .to parishioner, Jim Alcorn, who ran in the Pittsburgh Marathon on May 1 and took 75th place, out of over 400 runners in his men’s Age Group! Not bad for an “old” guy.

MASS BOOKINGS We have a number of openings available to schedule Mass Intentions for the remainder of 2016. We no longer accept any requests by telephone. A supply of (half-sheet) MASS REQUEST FORMS for 2016 are on the Bulletin Tables for you to fill out and return to the Parish Office. You may also stop at the Parish Office Mondays thru Thursdays from 8AM to 2PM. A $10 stipend must accompany each Mass request.

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On Friday, May 27 at 5PM, members of American Legion Post 75 and the West Mifflin Boy Scout Troop 1111 will be decorating the gravesites of our departed veterans at St. Clare and Ascension Cemeteries by placing American Flags on their graves. All able-bodied persons are invited to “Come Out and Lend a Hand”. The more volunteers...the faster it gets done. After decorating, all participants are invited to Hot Dogs and Cold Refreshments at the American Legion Post 75 Hall, located at 660 Miller Ave. Hope to see you there!

PARISH MEMBERSHIP FORM

Registering at our Parish is a declaration of your desire to be part of a Catholic community. We extend a warm welcome and hope you will find our Parish Community a place where your faith will be nourished. If you are moving into, or out of the Parish, please let us know. Fill out this Form and return it to the Parish Office.

NAME______________________________________________ADDRESS__________________________________________ TELEPHONE________________________________________ __________________________________________ Check One: New________ Change of Address________ Moving out of Parish________ Want Envelopes________

We thank an

Anonymous Donor

for Sponsoring Our Bulletin This Week

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BILLBOARD SIGNS FROM GOD

CONCERNING OUR DIOCESE. . . CONCERNING OUR COMMUNITY. . .

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“The nicest thing about the future... is that it always starts tomorrow.” - God

GOD’S MERCY IS REAL In this year of Mercy, as designated by Pope Francis, how can we experience God’s mercy ourselves in a powerful and personal way? Practice it. Jesus taught us to pray. “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” In order to receive mercy, we must offer it ourselves. Release your debtors whether it is a material, emotional, spiritual, or psychological debt they owe to you. Then learn to ask for mercy from others. You will find that kindness is contagious and God’s mercy will flow through you. Open the door to it. The door of our church is the door to the path of salvation. Use it to attend Mass; daily or on weekends. Ask for it. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is the of-fer of mercy that God never withdraws. To return to the embrace of our Father, all we need to do is recognize our wrongs, ask His pardon and seek His love in the Sacrament. The advice, “forgive and forget” isn’t easy to follow. Forgiveness means letting go of your anger so that you are free to heal. Do YOU need to forgive anyone? Pray for the grace to forgive as God forgives you; freely, totally and quickly. “He who knows how to forgive, prepares for himself many graces from God.” - St. Faustina

● Rachel’s Vineyard Weekend Retreat in Bethel Park, on Friday, May 27 until Sunday, May 29, is open to any woman or man who is struggling with the emotional and spiritual pain of abortion. The weekend is intense and emotional, but yields a fruitful harvest. Informative Pamphlets are on the Credenza in the back of Church. Registration Deadline is Friday, May 20. ● Register for the 5K Run/2Mile Walk sponsored by The Unity Group of Clairton, by going online at active.com. This Event will be held on Saturday, May 28 beginning promptly at 9AM at the Clairton Pool Parking Lot. All Participants will receive a Medal. ● Holy Spirit Church, West Mifflin is planning a Vacation Bible School Program on June 27-30, from 6-8:30PM. Adult and Student (grades 6-12) Volunteers are needed, along with children, to attend this year’s VBS: “CATHLETICS: Training to be Champions for Christ!” Call Patty Cagney at 412-346-0475 for more information. ● Ascension Church, 318 Park Ave., has frozen Potato, Sweet Cabbage, Cottage Cheese and Sauerkraut PIROHY available for $8 a dozen. If interested, call Karen at 412-233-2711.

Family PERSPECTIVE Today’s Gospel tells us that God actually wants to take up residence in your family, “We will come and make our home with you.” Every family is called to be a tabernacle where God dwells. Is Jesus a permanent member of your family, or a temporary guest? Today the promise is given. The choice is yours. Marriage MOMENTS When it’s hard to forgive a spouse who has “done you wrong,” try praying this way, “Oh Lord, help me to forgive those who sin differently than I do.” Now is the time for healing; not self-righteousness. Parenting POINTERS Don’t do anything you wouldn’t teach your children to do. Is there a bad habit that you would like to rid yourself of? Perhaps your children can give you the motivation to let it go.

“ON MISSION FOR THE CHURCH ALIVE” Remember the rollicking Beatles’ song. “All Together Now”? While the light-hearted chorus was meant to be an invitation to sing along, Paul McCartney said it also had an undercurrent of “we are all together now.” That is where we are moving to in our diocesan-wide program, “On Mission for the Church Alive!” We are all in, ready to move together as the Church Evangelizing! Read, hear and proclaim this weekend’s Good News. This is what we need to celebrate – all together now – on this Pentecost Sunday.