Fr. Berg Visit - Today, April 30, Father Berg, Superior General of the FSSP is visiting us. He will be happy to meet with everyone following each Mass. You are encouraged to come to the Social Hall for light breakfast items following both Masses.
May Crowning - Next Sunday - On Sunday, May 7, we will have May Crowning between the 8am and 10am Masses.
May 13 - Rosary - On May 13, the 100th anniversary of Our Lady’s appearance to the three children of Fatima, we will have a brief meditation after the 9:00am Mass. Immediately following the meditation we will pray a Rosary in the park across Front Street.
Mother’s Day Carnations - On May 14 after both Masses, carnations will be offered for a donation. The proceeds will benefit two pro-life organizations in our area: Pennsylvanians for Human Life and Undefeated Courage.
Mothers Day Mass Novena Cards - Next Sunday Mothers Day Novena cards will be available in the back of Church. Fill them out and return them the following Sunday, May 14 (Mothers Day). The Mothers Day Novena of Masses will begin with the 10am Mass next Sunday and continue through May 22nd. There will be a basket in the back of Church next Sunday to drop your intentions into. Be sure to have your intentions in the basket by no later than 9:50am.
Special Dates
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.
Hospital Emergency Visits - For People who are not Parishioners - Oftentimes, when there is a hospital emergency, there is confusion about what to do. Every hospital in the area has a priest on call to give the sacrament of Extreme Unction (Also called Anointing of the Sick, or Last Rites.). If there is a dying family member who is not a parishioner of Mater Dei’s in need of the sacrament, please ask the nurse or staff member to call for the priest on call. For a dying parishioner, always call the Mater Dei priests.
Confirmation Class Exam #2 - The second exam for those preparing for Confirmation on June 10 will be this Saturday. If you need more information concerning this, contact the church office.
St. Tarcisius Meeting - May 6 - Our next St. Tarcisius Meeting is Saturday, May 6 at 5:00pm. The group is for children ages 5 – 12 and meets monthly in order to teach the children to meditate. Each meeting includes a short, priest led meditation, the rosary, and a potluck dinner. Meetings are the 1st Saturday of the month from 5-7pm. For information about next month’s meeting please contact SaintTarcisiusGroup@MaterDeiPA.com
The Zealous Amendment of Our Life
A certain man being in anxiety of mind, continually tossed about between hope and fear, and being on a certain day overwhelmed with grief, cast himself down in prayer before the altar in a church, and meditated within himself, saying, “Oh! If I but knew that I should still persevere,” and presently heard within him a voice from God, “And if thou didst know it, what wouldst thou do? Do now what thou wouldst do then, and thou shalt be very secure.” And straightway being comforted and strengthened, he committed himself to the will of God and the perturbation of spirit ceased, neither had he a mind any more to search curiously to know what should befall him hereafter, but studied rather to inquire what was the good and acceptable will of God, for the beginning and perfecting of every good work.
Hope in the Lord and be doing good, saith the Prophet; dwell in the land and thou shalt be fed with its riches. One thing there is which holdeth back many from progress and fervent amendment, even the dread of difficulty, or the labour of the conflict. Nevertheless they advance above all others in virtue who strive manfully to conquer those things which are most grievous and contrary to them, for there a man profiteth most and meriteth greater grace where he most overcometh himself and mortifieth himself in spirit.
Imitation of Christ