Coffee and Donuts - If you are visiting from another parish please feel welcome to join us after both the 8:00AM & 10:00AM Masses for coffee and donuts. Access via the door on the side alley.
Divine Mercy Sunday - Today, immediately following both Masses, we will pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. A plenary indulgence is granted to those who on this day take part in devotions held in honor of Divine Mercy and fulfill the usual requirements.
Easter Duty - Every Catholic has the obligation to receive Communion at least once per year during Eastertide, which continues through Trinity Sunday. In addition every Catholic is required to go to confession at least once per year. Confessions are heard before each Mass.
Hand Missals For Sale - (Temporarily Out of Stock) - Our parish office’s Daily Hand Missal inventory is sold out. We will have a new shipment in by mid to late April. We offer the Missal published in 2008 by Baronius Press in association with the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter.
Youth Group - Jeopardy Night - Our Youth Group will meet in the Parish Hall at St. Lawrence on Saturday, April 16th, 6PM - 9PM. The Youth Group is open to young people ages 13 - 18. For more information contact us at youthgroup@materdeipa.com
Annual Lenten Appeal - The Bishop's Annual Lenten Appeal is underway. If you have not yet done so, please fill out a pledge card and place it in the collection basket or mail it to the office. Our diocesan assessment this year is $10,000. So far we have $9,260. Any excess funds will remain with Mater Dei.
Adoration - Friday & Saturday - Reminder: We now have Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Friday evening 6:15 - 7:15pm, and Saturday morning 8:00 - 9:00am.
1st Confession Exam - All children who are preparing to make their 1st Communion at Mater Dei this year who are not enrolled in the catechism program must contact the office this week regarding their attendance at the required examination with Fr. Eichman on April 9th after the 9AM Mass and 1st Confessions on April 16th after the 9AM Mass. Email contact@materdeipa.com
Sunday Movie Fundraiser - To kick off Jackson Rainey’s Trail Life project, (Renovating the Library room) he is organizing a Sunday Movie Fundraiser and information session. The movie, The 13th Day, will be shown on April 10th after both the 8AM & 10AM Masses in the Knights of Columbus classroom. The 13th Day is the story of the three children in Fatima, Portugal who were chosen by God to offer a message world in 1917.
Admission is free, but donations to the project will be greatly appreciated. Pretzel sandwiches will also be sold in the social hall following 10:00 Mass as a lunch option or for anyone who would like to purchase them. Orders for the sandwiches will be taken following the Masses today, Sunday April 3rd.
Young Adult Group - Our next Young Adult event (ages 19—35) is Saturday April 9th. We will have a bonfire at 6pm. The evening will include a talk by Fr. Flick, the Rosary and plenty of time to eat and socialize. For more information and to be added to our contact list please contact us at Contact@MaterDeiPA.com
Food for the Needy - The Holy Name Society collects non-perishable food for the Silence of Mary Homes, who then distribute this food to the needy in Harrisburg. To contribute, please add your gift of food in the straw basket located behind the last pew. Thank you!
Wonderful Effect of Divine Love - Love is a great thing, a good above all others, which alone maketh every heavy burden light, and equaliseth every inequality. For it beareth the burden and maketh it no burden, it maketh every bitter thing to be sweet and of good taste. The surpassing love of Jesus impelleth to great works, and exciteth to the continual desiring of greater perfection. Love willeth to be raised up, and not to be held down by any mean thing. Love willeth to be free and aloof from all worldly affection, lest its inward power of vision be hindered, lest it be entangled by any worldly prosperity or overcome by adversity. Nothing is sweeter than love, nothing stronger, nothing loftier, nothing broader, nothing pleasanter, nothing fuller or better in heaven nor on earth, for love was born of God and cannot rest save in God above all created things.
He who loveth flyeth, runneth, and is glad; he is free and not hindered. He giveth all things for all things, and hath all things in all things, because he resteth in One who is high above all, from whom every good floweth and proceedeth. He looketh not for gifts, but turneth himself to the Giver above all good things. Love oftentimes knoweth no measure, but breaketh out above all measure; love feeleth no burden, reckoneth not labours, striveth after more than it is able to do, pleadeth not impossibility, because it judgeth all things which are lawful for it to be possible. It is strong therefore for all things, and it fulfilleth many things, and is successful where he who loveth not faileth and lieth down.
Imitation of Christ, Bk 3, Chapter 5