June 29, 2008 
TRANSFIGURATION/STS. PETER & PAUL PARISH
WEST HAZLETON, PENNSYLVANIA 

NEXT SUNDAY’S READINGS: As a way to prepare for Mass next Sunday, you may pray with the readings for next Sunday’s Mass: Zechariah 9:9-10; Romans 8:9, 11-13; Matthew 11:25-30

PARISH MISSION STATEMENT - The Church of Transfiguration and Saints Peter & Paul is a Catholic Christian Community of disciples of Jesus Christ who are dedicated to evangelization through continual ageless religious education and spiritual growth with a clear focus on pastoral outreach and music ministry.

PARISH BUS TRIP TO ATLANTIC CITY - Transfiguration Church will sponsor a bus trip to Atlantic City on THURSDAY, AUGUST 7th, 2008. There are still 10 seats available to fill the bus. Come join us for a fun-filled day!

COST: $25.00 per person which must be paid in advance. Bus will leave in front of Transfiguration Church at 8 AM sharp and depart from Atlantic City at 6 PM. 
NOTE: WE WILL BE GOING TO THE 
SHOWBOAT CASINO. 
REBATE: $20.00/COIN AND $5.00/FOOD
Please contact the rectory at 454-3933 to reserve your seat! Please bring government issued ID with you!

ATTENTION ALTAR SERVERS, EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST AND LECTORS - Our schedule for the months of AUGUST and SEPTEMBER is now being composed. Please contact the Rectory with your availability to serve even if you previously contacted our church.
We will be having practice for new altar servers in September.

NEW ALTAR SERVERS WELCOME - All of our young men and women who have celebrated their First Holy Communion are invited to become a server at God’s altar. Please contact the Rectory to join.

2ND COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND - There will be a Special Second Collection this weekend for “PETER’S PENCE”. There are envelopes provided in your packets for this collection. 

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK OF OUR PARISH AND ALL OUR HOMEBOUND PARISHIONERS. 

TR - Eleanor Judd

PLEASE PRAY FOR: Rose Marie Tomko (TR), Betty Majko (TR), Carol Rentko (TR), Gertrude Sypek, (TR), Dolores Yuscavage (STS) and Tracey Fox (TR) 

THANK YOU to PIACENTI HOME HEATING & FUEL OIL in West Hazleton for placing an ad in our bulletin. Please remember to support the businesses that support our parish bulletin.

COLLECTION FOR: 6-22-2008

(TR) Envelopes issued 643 - envelopes used 316 (offering)
(STS) Envelopes issued 130 - envelopes used 64 (offering)
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!

ON THE HORIZON ….

July 6 - 2nd Collection for Vacation Bible Sch.
July 8 - 7 PM - (PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE) Sts. Peter & Paul Core Team Meeting. All parishioners are invited to attend in SS. Peter & Paul Church 
July 10 - 7 PM -Transfiguration Core Team Meeting. All parishioners are invited to attend in Transfiguration Church
July 21 - Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament - after 7 AM Mass until 9 AM in Transfiguration Church 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING THE SACRAMENTS OF 1ST PENANCE, 1ST EUCHARIST AND CONFIRMATION - Diocesan policy states that two years of preparation are required before celebration of the sacraments of FIRST PENANCE, FIRST EUCHARIST AND CONFIRMATION. Thus, all students receiving First Penance and First Eucharist in 2010, MUST be enrolled in the first grade CCD Class in September 2008. 
All students who wish to celebrate the sacrament of Confirmation in 2010, MUST be enrolled in CCD Class in September 2008.
CCD registration forms are available in the back of the church. Please return them to the Rectory ASAP. 
If you have any additional questions, please contact our Director of Religious Education, Cheryl Krieger at 454-2094.

TRANSFIGURATION PICNIC NEWS As we continue to prepare for our Annual Summer Picnic, we ask our generous parishioners for their help with donations. We will be collecting donations of the following items during the dates specified below. There will be bins in the back of the church to place your donations. 
- Thank You!
June 28/29 - Soda - Pepsi products only, please
July 5/6 - Soda - Pepsi products only, please
July 12/13 - Soda - Pepsi Products only, please

NOTE - Many, many gallons of Mazola oil are needed for the picnic. They can be dropped off at the Rectory or in the back of the church at any time. We are still looking for additional large Electric Roasters. They too can be dropped off at the Rectory at any time. THANK YOU for all you do for Transfiguration Church! Looking forward to another GREAT PICNIC this year…...

NEXT-TO-NEW STAND - Items are needed for our Next-to-New Stand at our picnic. This is always a big hit and everyone seems to enjoy this popular stand. They can be dropped off at the Rectory or you may call Teresa Serafini at 454-0176 to arrange for a pick up.

TENT SPONSORS - Please consider being a Tent Sponsor for this year’s picnic. The cost for our tent rental this year is $5,749.00. Signs for sponsors shall be displayed on the Picnic grounds.

PIEROGIE MAKING FOR TRANSFIGURATION PICNIC - 
The ladies and men of Transfiguration Church have begun making their “yummy” pierogies for our picnic in July. If you can spare a few hours of your day and would like to join our chefs, please feel free to come to the Transfiguration School to lend a hand. We are always looking for new faces to help out.
June 30 - 4 PM - Peel & Cut Potatoes - 6 PM - Potato Balls
July 1 - 8 AM -Pierogie Making

TRICKY TRAYS NEEDED - We are currently collecting TRICKY TRAY baskets for Transfiguration Picnic. You can make a basket of any theme (i.e. sports, lottery basket, gardening, movies, etc.), and the items should total $25.00 or more. Tricky Trays can be dropped off at the Rectory from now until the picnic during normal business hours. This is always a “big hit” at our picnic. Thank you to everyone who helps makes this stand a great success!

WORKERS NEEDED FOR TRANSFIGURATION PICNIC - Please call the rectory (454-3933) if you would like to work at the Transfiguration Summer Picnic. Workers are needed for all stands. For GAME TENT, please call Mary Krohn at 455-0240 to sign up. Your help is most welcomed and appreciated.

TRANSFIGURATION - TENT SPONSOR FORM

I/we will be a Tent Sponsor for the Transfiguration Church Picnic. (Please enclose payment)
(please circle sponsor: Business or Family)
COST: $100.00 - Business Sponsor

$ 50.00 - Family Sponsor

Name as is should appear on the sign for publicity.




__________________________________________________

Please return with payment no later 
than MONDAY, JULY 14th

THANK YOU - We thank the following Business and/or Family Tent Sponsors for the 2008 Transfiguration Picnic.

Piacenti Home Heating & Fuel Oil
Helen & Ed Nevedal, Sr.
In Memory of John & Sarah Beckley
L.M. Plumbing, Heating & Fuel Oil, Inc.
West Hazleton Crime Watch
SOUTHERN LUZERNE DEANERY 

GOOD LUCK FATHER JEFF - On behalf of our Southern Luzerne Deanery, I would like to wish Fr. Jeff God’s choicest of blessings as he begins his new assignment for our Diocese of Scranton. He will definitely be missed by those who watch the Mass for shut ins; our faculty and students of Holy Family Academy; our parish staff and all the parishes including our own where he celebrated the Eucharist. Personally, I am very grateful for his encouragement and support during these challenging times. May God bless him with many years of dedicated service to our church of the Diocese of Scranton.
- Fr. Mark

CATHOLIC VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL - The 2008 theme for our Southern Luzerne Deanery Vacation Bible School is RAINFOREST ADVENTURE: A TREE TOP BIBLE BLAST! Mark the dates on your calendar! We begin on Monday, August 11 and conclude on Friday, August 15. Our sessions are in the evening from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. On Saturday, August 16 , the 4:00 P.M. Mass shall be enhanced by our Bible School Children singing the songs they have learned during the week. Volunteers are needed for music, arts & crafts, refreshments, recreation, teaching, etc. 
Our next meeting shall be held on Wednesday, JULY 23rd at 7 PM at Transfiguration Rectory in the Dining Room. All are most welcomed to attend!

REGISTRATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE BACK OF EACH CHURCH. Please call the Rectory with any additional questions at 454-3933.

PLEASE COMPLETE VBS VOLUNTEER FORM → →
IF YOU CAN HELP AND RETURN TO THE RECTORY

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
VOLUNTEER FORM

I would like to be a volunteer for VBS that will be held AUGUST 11th through August 15th at Transfiguration.

NAME: ________________________________________


PHONE NO.: ____________________________________

YOUR HOME PARISH: ____________________________

I would like to help with (please circle one or more):

Games - Music - Arts & Crafts - Refreshments

CONFIRMATION STUDENTS 2010 - It’s not too early to earn your Service Hours for Confirmation in 2010. Please contact Mary Krohn to sign up for the picnic.

PARISHIONER ENVELOPES CONTRIBUTIONS - If a parishioner outside of their own parish attends another Church in the Hazleton area, they are most welcome to drop their church envelopes in any other Church throughout the Deanery. They will be forwarded back to us and credited to each individual parishioner.



VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL SECOND COLLECTION - Next weekend, July 5th & 6th, we will be taking up a second collection to help offset costs for this year’s Vacation Bible School that will be held at Transfiguration in August. Any and all donations will be greatly appreciated.

SUNDAY, JUNE 29TH IS THE FEAST OF STS. PETER & PAUL. Happy feast day to our parishioners!

DIAKON HOSPICE SAINT JOHN invites anyone who is grieving the loss of a loved one to attend a five week workshop beginning on July 2, 2008. St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 46 S. Laurel St., Hazleton, PA has graciously agreed to host our group for the five Wednesday evenings in July. Each session will begin at 7 PM and conclude by 8:30 PM. This building is handicapped accessible. There is no fee for the workshop. However, registration is required to ensure sufficient materials. Registration deadline is June 30, 2008. Please call chaplain Peggy Sue Pfeffer at the Diakon Hospice Saint John office to register: 570-459-6778 or 
1-877-438-3511.

CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES - DRUG AND ALCOHOL COUNSELING: Are you or someone you know struggling with problems related to Drugs or Alcohol? For over 80 years, Catholic Social Services has helped individuals and families deal with substance abuse issues. We offer individual, family, couple and group counseling sessions. Most private insurances are accepted and fees are assessed on a sliding fee scale based on family income. Begin the process of healing today; call Catholic Social Services at 570-829-3489.

Alzheimer’s Disease Education Recently we received materials provided by the National Institute on Aging or the  and Referral (ADEAR) Center. They are in the back of the church. Please feel free to take home any of the information that may be helpful to you. Items include:

Caregiver Guide: Tips for AD Caregivers
Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease (easy-to-read)
What Happens Next? - For people with early stage AD
Nursing Homes: Making the Right Choice
Mourning the Death of a Spouse
Safe Use of Medicines, an easy-to-read booklet
There’s No Place Like Home - - For Growing Old

BULLETIN BRIEF - In February 2005, Sara Scantlin of Kansas awoke from the ‘persistent vegetative state’ she had been in since a drunk driver hit her in 1984 when she was only 18….'Since September 22, 1984, Sara had never uttered a word, her brain was so badly damaged….that experts said she would spend the rest of her life in her own silent world….[Since she awoke, her parents] have listened in astonishment as she reels off the names of relative, former pets, friends from school and dates...Her doctor, Dr. Bradley Scheel, says critical pathways in Sara’s brain….have regenerated and kicked back into life...A very important part of this case is the fact that throughout her 20-year coma, Sara could see, hear, and understand what was going on around her.'

“Is a Prognosis Always Infallible? Occasions When the Doctors Were Proven Wrong”; available at www.uklifeleague.com/proginfal.htm 

- U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat of 
Pro-Live Activities

SPECIAL BLESSING - If anyone would like a “Special” or “Private Blessing” from Fr. Mark, please see him after any weekend Mass. He will be more than happy to honor your request for this blessing.

HAVE A SAFE & HAPPY 4TH OF JULY. The Parish office shall be closed on Friday, July 4th in observance of the holiday.

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