ST.

DAMIEN OF MOLOKAI CATHOLIC

PARISH
722 WEST MAIN STREET • MONONGAHELA, PENNSYLVANIA 15063
Parish Office: 724-258-7742 • Parish Fax: 724-258-8733 • Madonna Catholic Regional School: 724-258-3199
Website: stdamienofmolokai.org • Email: stdamienparish@verizon.net
Diocesan Victim Hotline: 1-888-808-1235

JUNE 24, 2018 - THE NATIVITY OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

PASTORAL STAFF MISSION STATEMENT
Fr. William R. Terza ............................................. Pastor St. Damien of Molokai is a Catholic parish family which recognizes and
stdamienterzab@verizon.net embraces the gifts and talents of our faith filled people. The life of our
Deacon Al Poroda.............................Permanent Deacon patron saint inspires us to lead lives of love, hope and charity. Moving
DeaconAl611@gmail.com or 724-258-7742 x 13 forward, we will grow through our liturgy, teachings and outreach to all,
Mrs. Patricia Forsyth…………….……...Music Minister with the help of God and the gifts received through the Holy Eucharist.
pattyforsyth@comcast.net
Mrs. Kathy Miller ............................ Lead Administrator
kmiller@madonnacatholic.com
Mrs. Kathy Miller ................................. Faith Formation
kmiller@madonnacatholic.com
Phyllis DeMedio .............................................. Secretary
stdamiendemediop@verizon.net
Peggy Romeo ................................................... Secretary
stdamienromeop@verizon.net
Helena Glaneman .......... Safe Environment Coordinator
Alexsei521@yahoo.com or 724-503-7325

ST. DAMIEN FINANCIAL COUNCIL

Gloria DeRosa Alfred Galilei Steven Markovich
Richard Pantaleo Randall Rodriguez
ST. DAMIEN PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
Joyce Amatangelo Kathleen Barkey Thomas Caudill
Nancy Cole Sandra Craig Kris D’Andrea
James Greaves Thomas Kustron Denise Majoris
Anna Markovich Juliann Romasco Walter Tabory
INTERIM MASS SCHEDULE
Saturday Vigil .................................................. 4:00 p.m.
Sunday ........................................8:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.
Monday–Friday ............................................... 8:00 a.m.
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Tuesday................................................... 8:30–9:00 a.m.
Saturdays ................................................ 3:00–3:30 p.m.
All Masses & Reconciliation are at St. Damien
of Molokai Church 722 West Main Street
BAPTISMS: 1st & 3rd Sundays at 12:15 p.m. and 4th
Sunday at Mass.
WEDDINGS: Please make arrangements by calling the
Parish Office 6 months in advance.
Page Two St. Damien of Molokai Parish, Monongahela
June 24, 2018
The Nativity of St. John the Baptist
Saturday, June 23, 2018
4:00pm Nagy-Lusk Families (Julia Lusk)
Sunday, June 24, 2018
8:30am Living and Deceased Members
of the Parish
11:00am Charles & Margaret Wall
(Anthony & Judith Bottino)
Monday, June 25, 2018
8:00am Gail Amoroso (Husband, Karl)
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
8:00am Albert Bartolotta (Ernie Popp)
Wednesday, June 27, 2018
8:00am Larry Anselmino (Mary E. Gross)
Thursday, June 28, 2018
8:00am Arlene Keeling
(Mr. & Mrs. Charles Talarico)
Friday, June 29, 2018
8:00am Fritz Bartolini
(David, Patty & Kevin Forsyth)
Saturday, June 30, 2018
4:00pm Cheyne Young (Mom & Dad)
Sunday, July 1, 2018
8:30am Living and Deceased Members
of the Parish
11:00am Helen Applegate
(Henry & Lisa Fonzi & Family)
Rest In Peace
In the charity of your prayers we
kindly ask that you please pray for
the repose of the soul of Helen
Kearns, mother of David Kearns of
our parish. May God grant her eternal rest,
may Perpetual Light shine upon her soul and
may all the souls of the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, Rest In Peace .
All were amazed.
(Luke 1:63)
“Come, Lord, and fill my heart with joy.”
SUMMERFEST 2018
CASH RAFFLE - SummerFest ’18
is less than one month away. Please
return your cash raffle ticket sheet
and payment for the tickets in an envelope
marked “Cash Raffle”. Returns can be made in
the Sunday collection or dropped off or mailed
to the parish office.
CASH & SCRATCH RAFFLE - We are in
need of scratch off tickets in any denomination
or a monetary donation so that tickets can be
purchased. Donations can be made in the Sun-
day collection or dropped off at the parish of-
fice. Please mark the envelope “Cash &
Scratch”. Thanks in advance for your help.
BASKET RAFFLE - Baskets or standalone
items are needed. If you plan to donate some-
thing, please call Terry Lewis at 258-4616
BAKE SALE - If you are planning to bake for
SummerFest, please complete the tear off form
in the bulletin and return in the collection bas-
ket. Donated items can be brought to Fr. Abbate
Hall (on the hill) from 10 am to Noon the morn-
ings of SummerFest.
MEMORIAL PATRONS - Please note - The
deadline to remember a loved one “In Memory
or In Honor” is Friday, July 13th. Cost is $25
per memorial. Please remember to circle which
title the person falls under. Forms can be found
at the doors of the church if you have misplaced
yours and would like to be a patron. Thank You.
ENTERTAINMENT—The Entertainment for
this year’s SummerFest is:
Friday, July 20th “NOMAD”
(Rockin’ Country) 7:30—10:30pm
Saturday, July 21st
“The Pittsburgh Bel Airs”
(Classics & Doo-wop) 7:00pm-10:30pm
SummerFest is Friday, July 20th and
Saturday, July 21st.
4:00pm Mass on Saturday, July 21st will be held
in the parish park.
 St. Damien of Molokai Parish, Monongahela Page Three

For You Will Go Before the Lord to Prepare the Way – Today in the
Church we celebrate the Birth of Saint John the Baptist, the great forerun-
ner who was sent to announce the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ and
prepare the way for him to fulfill his work in the world. John the Baptist
never sought to put the attention on himself, but always pointed the way to
Jesus, whom the prophets had foretold would come to save God’s people.
He was a faithful instrument of God who desired to decrease so that the power and love of Je-
sus at work in the lives of his people could increase. Since Christ has already come into the
world we can’t be his forerunners, but we can prepare the way for him to enter into the hearts
and lives of others. The witness of our prayer, the example of our lives and the encouragement
of our words for others can turn their hearts to greater trust in God and his grace at work for
them. As we journey On Mission for The Church Alive! may we seek to prepare the way for
others, and be open to the ways in which they will work to make ready the path for God in our
hearts. Visit onmissionchurchalive.org to learn more and to stay informed.

HOLY HOUR & MEET AND GREET

Holy Hour will be held in the Church this Wednesday evening, June
27th, from 6-7pm. Immediately following Holy Hour, Reverend Kevin
Dominik, administrator of the new parish, and his team, will be present for a
short Meet and Greet. Please come and introduce yourself. This is completely
informal. Come and go as you please.

GOLDEN WEDDING CELEBRATION

The Diocese of Pittsburgh is once again planning its Golden Wedding Celebration for
couples celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this year. A special Mass will be
celebrated by Bishop Zubik on Sunday, October 7, at 2:30 PM at St. Paul Cathe-
dral. A light reception will follow in the Cathedral hall.
All couples celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary any time this year and wishing to re-
ceive an invitation to this event should call the rectory or drop a note with name, address and
telephone # in the collection basket no later than Sunday, August 5.

Servants of the Little Way (Chapel) The first Tuesday of every month at 6:00pm.
Holy Hour—(Church) the last Wednesday of each month from 6-7pm.)
Man Up (Fr. Abbate Hall) Meets every 1st and 3rd Wednesday at 7:00pm.
Eucharistic Adoration (Chapel) This Friday from 12:00noon—6:00pm. Call 724-747-7071
for scheduling.
Catholic Men’s Fellowship The 1st & 3rd Saturday of each month at 7:30-8am at St. Da-
mien for Adoration, to St. Francis for 8:30am Mass and then to breakfast.
Holy Name Society (Church) Second Sunday of each month with Rosaries at 8am and then to
the parish park for the meeting after the 8:30am Mass.
Page Four St. Damien of Molokai Parish

STARTS THIS TUESDAY!!!

VBS ~ Camp Moose on the Loose
“Discovering God’s Forever Forgiveness”
Vacation Bible School runs from June 26th—29th
For any questions, please contact Debra Reis at 724-678-9532

*Set up and decorating will be on Sunday, June 24th at 12:00pm.

Mass with Blessings for Healing -- Nativity Parish, 5800 Brownsville Road in South Park
will once again welcome Fr. William Kiel, for a Mass with blessings for healing. The Mass
will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. at Nativity Church. Nativity is
handicap accessible. For more information call Nativity Rectory at 412-655-3000.

ChristLife Alumni Night

All parishioners who attended any portion of the ChristLife series (Discovering Christ, Fol-
lowing Christ, and/ or Sharing Christ) are cordially invited to an Alumni Night in Marian Hall
on June 26th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Dr. Michel Therrien, the Secretary of Evangelization and Catholic Education for the Diocese,
will give a presentation on the next steps in continuing our faith journey together. There will
be praise and worship music and light refreshments. Please join us for another faith filled
event. Please RSVP to 724-483-5533 or diane.kooser@gmail.com

DON’T FORGET THE ST. DAMIEN FOOD BANK

July pick-up date is: Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Items needed for the month of July are:

Cereal, Spaghetti Sauce, Soup, Tuna & Macaroni & Cheese

*Please be sure to check expiration dates on items given to the Food Bank.
Thank you!

SummerFest Bake Sale

Name ____________________________PH#_____________________

Type of Baked Goods__________________________Qty.____________

(specify type of cookies, brownies, cakes, pies, etc.)

Please complete and drop in the collection or send to the Parish Office.
 St. Damien of Molokai Parish
Offertory Report 06/17/2018
Offertory Mass
Our
4:00pm 2381.00 Offering Attendance
8:30am 2161.00 Back
11:00am 1872.00 To 4:00pm 141
God
8:30am 175
Total $ 6,414.00 11:00am 158
Weekly Offertory Goal
$7,500 Total 474
Life Line Screening, a leading provider of
community-based preventive health screen-
ings, is pleased to offer a preventive health
event at Saint Damien of Molokai on 7/13/2018.
Five screenings will be offered that scan for po-
tential health problems related to: blocked ar-
teries which is a leading cause of stroke; ab-
dominal aortic aneurysms which can lead to a
ruptured aorta; hardening of the arteries in the
legs which is a strong predictor of heart dis-
ease; atrial fibrillation or irregular heart beat
which is closely tied to stroke risk; and a bone
density screening, for men and women, used to
assess the risk of osteoporosis. Register for a
Wellness Package which includes 4 vascular
tests and osteoporosis screening from $149
($139 with our member discount). All five
screenings take 60-90 minutes to complete.
There are three ways to register for this
event and to receive a $10 discount off any
package priced above $129, please call toll-
free 1-888-653-6441 or visit http://
lifelinescreening.com/communitycircle or
text the word circle to 797979
Madonna Catholic Regional School
731 Chess St., Monongahela, PA
ENROLL NOW
Madonna Catholic Regional School is cur-
rently registering students age 3 through
Grade 8 for the 2018-19 School Year.
Please call the school office for addition-
al information or to schedule a tour.
Great beginnings last a lifetime! 724-258
-3199.
Page Five
Reflections
By Deacon Al
We hear in the first reading on the eve,
then the day of “The Nativity of John
the Baptist” Before I formed you in
the Womb I knew you, thus giving us
the notion that God had a Plan for our lives before we
even came about from our earthly parents loins.
A lot of the times in stating this, we might hear disa-
greements on the words of “Gods Free Will” question-
ing: If free will is “My will” how then, can God al-
ready have planned out a life before it was formed?
Well, my friends we have to look at the answer as
Catholic Christians, with logic, being open and mind-
ful to the options that come with bringing forth life.
In 1973 there were 1.36 Million choices to voluntarily
end pregnancies verses 926,240 choices in 2014.
We’re improving, but overall the choice of “God’s
Free will” had been used a staggering 53 Million times
from 1973-2014. Thus resulting in a “Free Will
choice” of women ranging in age from 20-34 stating
the reasons in making their choices were:
Not wanting any more children, Can’t afford, or Not
ready for children in their lives. These three reasons
alone attributed to 67% of reasons given, for end of
life decisions - in using our own free will…
Not just pointing out woman in using their free will,
but with men as well. The best example coming to
mind is “Judas Iscariot” Some use the logic that Judas
was possessed by the devil, therefore he couldn’t have
made the choice to betray our Lord on his own… I
kind of have to negate this! Again, we are all given the
choice by God to sin, or walk away from sin. To turn
our back towards God, or to turn our backs to the evil
one. Judas was created as a Child of the most High
God, it was in his weakness, and the evil temptation of
money, that he chose to betray our Lord.
Thus comes the question: Could he have repented on
the last day of his life, being truly sorry for his sin?
Sure, but in the taking of his own life, Judas admits to
his guilt in choosing sin over God, thus admitting he
chose evil over good.
A few other words, or lines from Scripture that stood
out in preparing this week’s Homily are:
*Fear, *Although you have not seen Him, You Love
Him *My reward is with the Lord *I will make you a
light to the Nations.
These are some additional thoughts we’ll dialogue on
this weekend as we try to work in a back and forth dis-
cussion for all to be involved with the Homily, letting
those who want to, be involved with what we take
home from Holy Mass for the week.
Peace, Gods Blessings and Love, Deacon Al