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Sunday Mass obligation to resume
The obligation for Catholics in the Diocese of Harrisburg to attend Mass in person is being restored, effective August 15. However, those who are seriously ill or have a serious health risk, are still dispensed. Soon, we will be providing online and televised options for those who cannot attend Mass. Click here for more information…
World Day for Grandparents
Sunday, 25 July 2021, has been designated by Pope Francis as the First World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. It coincides with the Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, grandparents of Jesus, on July 26. Occurring in the Year of Amoris Laetitia Family 2021-22 with the theme, ‘I am with you always’, the day…
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MASS OBLIGATION IS BEING REINSTATED
Inserted into this upcoming week’s bulletin is the letter from Bishop Ronald Gainer describing the upcoming reinstating of the obligation to attend Mass, starting on August 15. In the coming days, we will offer options for those who cannot attend Mass here and in the Parish bulletin.
REGARDING COMMUNION CALLS TO THE HOMEBOUND AND AFTER-MASS COMMUNION
We have noticed over the past few weeks that we don’t seem to have anyone coming for Communion on Sundays at 11:30 a.m. so at this point, we are ending that option and are looking to re-establish a Homebound Communion Call list for first Fridays. Please call the office (570.784.0801) and let us know if you would like to be on this list. If any of our parishioners are in local Nursing Homes, please give us a call so that we can be sure to bring them Communion.
MAY HE REST IN THE PEACE OF THE LORD
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Mr. Angelo Renaldi who died this week. The parish community of Saint Columba Church extends its deepest sympathies to his family, relatives, and friends on their loss.
THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF SAINT COLUMBA welcomes into its family through the Sacrament of Baptism the following individual: GREYSON LEE MUNDY, son of Kyle R. Mundy and Rachel M. Dragano.
BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL RETURNS TO BETHANY RETREAT CENTER Join us at 1031 Germania Road in Frenchville, PA, on July 31 from 10am -7pm for a day of family fun! There will be games for all ages, arts & crafts for kids, basket raffles, 50/50, delicious food & refreshments, and much more. Live musical entertainment by Heavenbound beginning at 2:00 pm and A Day Awaits at 4:00 pm.
For more information call 814-263-4855 or visit their website.
CONTACT INFORMATION UPDATES
Did you know that many parishioners are in our system without a working phone number? As more people drop their landlines, we are in urgent need of updated contact information. We will also take an email address if you would like to be contacted that way. We keep all contact information private. Please call the office and help us rectify incorrect contact numbers.
KEYS NEEDED
Please take note if you find any keys belonging to our parish, and bring them to the Parish Center at your soonest convenience. It is always important for us to keep extra sets of spare keys for the various doors and locks on hand, and often we have some difficulty with this. If we have loaned you keys and you are not currently running a program that requires them, please bring them back to us. Thank you!!
This Week in Our Parish
EFFECTIVE MONDAY, AUGUST 2, we will not be having Monday morning Mass at St. Columba. Our mission church, Christ the King in Benton, has a 9:00 a.m. Mass on Mondays.
USHERS AND GREETERS
We need ushers and greeters. Please call the office if you can join/resume this ministry.
ARE YOU ABLE TO SPEND AN HOUR A WEEK WITH JESUS?
The Adoration Chapel at the Basilica of Sts. Cyril and Methodius in Danville needs adorers! We are reopening soon with adoration hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Contact Kathy 570-259-0725 or Lisa 570-204-2501 for more information or go to our website.
MISSIONARY COOPERATIVE APPEAL
This past weekend was our Missionary Cooperative Appeal. During Mass you heard a letter from missionaries about their mission and their needs, and a second collection was taken for those needs. This year, the Missionary Cooperative would like to draw attention to one of our missions located in Central Mexico, close to the city of Orizaba. This area is mostly populated by various indigenous Mexican tribes which are still using their native languages and some do not even speak Spanish. The Assumptionists have been doing ministry in this region for over twenty years. If you would like to donate this coming Sunday, please put your offering in an envelop labeled MISSIONS. Thank you.
Video link, Brother Daniele in Mexico
BELOW: Download the complete letter from the Assumptionists Congregation about their missionary needs.
Parish Stewardship
July 18, 2021 – $13,370
July 19, 2020 – $6,278
Missionary Cooperative Collection: $1,176
This Week’s Offering – Weekly
Next Week’s Offering – Weekly
DIOCESAN ANNUAL CAMPAIGN as of 7/19/21
ASSESSMENT – $96,150
PLEDGED – $77,515
% OF GOAL – 81%
GIVERS – 214
Mass Schedule for this Week
SATURDAY/July 24, 2021
8:00 a.m. Richard Marston (Knights Assembly
974)
5:00 p.m. Joseph Maylath (Marino Family)
SUNDAY/July 25, 2021
8:00 a.m. People of the Parish
10:30 a.m. John Berger II (Chris Berger & Family)
MONDAY/July 26, 2021
7:30 a.m. (Last Monday morning Mass)
TUESDAY/July 27, 2021
7:30 a.m. Anna Billets (Karen Miller)
WEDNESDAY/July 28, 2021
7:30 a.m. Dave Zaun (Fr. Mowery)
THURSDAY/July 29, 2021
7:30 a.m. Anna Guzior (Family)
FRIDAY/July 30, 2021
7:30 a.m. Daxon Street (Brink Family)
SATURDAY/July 31, 2021
8:00 a.m.
5:00 p.m. Matthew Zoppetti, Sr. (Family)
SUNDAY/August 1, 2021
8:00 a.m. People of the Parish
10:30 a.m. Anthony Sylvester (Samuels Family)
REMINDER: EFFECTIVE MONDAY, AUGUST 2, we will not be having Monday morning Mass at St. Columba. Our mission church, Christ the King in Benton, has a 9:00 a.m. Mass on Mondays.
Monday, July 26 will be our last Monday morning Mass.
BLESSED MOTHER CANDLE
In Loving Memory of David Dietz (Mom & Dad, Emily & Adam)
ST. JOSEPH CANDLE
In Loving Memory of Nick Mariano (Dietz Family)
ST. GIANNA CANDLE
Contact the Parish Office if you would like to sponsor this candle
Hearing the Word of the Lord
SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
The Gospel readings for the next few weeks will be from St. John’s Gospel. Since the Gospel of St. Mark is shorter than the other Synoptic Gospels, a few weeks of this liturgical year are filled with readings from St. John’s Gospel.
The readings will be on the teachings of Jesus about the Eucharist. Jesus shows the power that He has by multiplying the loaves and feeding a very large crowd. By working this miracle, Jesus proves that He had the power and could fulfill the promise that He was about to make. He was going to promise that He would give us His flesh to eat and His blood to drink.
Perhaps the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes may not have happened had the little boy not shared his five barley loaves and two fish. The miracle of Jesus giving of Himself in the Eucharist may not happen if we do not do our part in preparation for a worthy reception of Him.
Be Prepared for the Word of the Lord
Readings for Sunday, July 25, 2021
SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
II Kings 4: 42 – 44
Psalm 145: 10 – 11, 15 – 16, 17 – 18
Ephesians 4: 1 – 6
John 6: 1 – 15
Readings for next Sunday, August 1, 2021
EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Exodus 16: 2 – 4, 12 – 15
Psalm 78: 3 – 4, 23 – 25, 54
Ephesians 4: 17, 20 – 24
John 6: 24 – 35
Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church
Part Three: Life in Christ
SECTION TWO: THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
The Second Commandment: You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
What is perjury?
Perjury is to make a promise under oath with the intention of not keeping it or to violate a promise made under oath. It is a grave sin against God who is always faithful to his promises.
Sponsor of the Week
We would like to thank the Sponsor of the Week
JOHN RINEHART, D.M.D. LLC
for sponsoring an ad in our weekly bulletin.
CELL PHONE FRAUD
Please be aware that another round of similar text messages from someone pretending to be our Pastor and asking for iTunes gift cards is happening again. Please know that these scammers are becoming savvier and savvier and that this crime is being committed all across the country, stealing thousands of dollars from good-hearted people. Also, know that our Parish will NEVER contact you to ask for monetary help. Anytime you receive a text presumably from our Pastor or anyone from the Parish, double-check the original cell phone number AND call the Parish Office. NEVER give a caller any personal information. Fraudulent calls and text messages can be reported to the Federal Trade Commission and we encourage you to do so.
BISHOP GAINER’S REORGANIZATION LETTER (Dated February 2021)
My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, One year ago, on February 19, 2020, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg (RCDH) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. While the Covid-19 pandemic has delayed the proceedings, we have continued to work in earnest with the Federal bankruptcy court and interested parties. As a step in this process, on February 8 and 9, the RCDH, our present and historical insurance providers, and the survivors of abuse (individually or through a committee representing their interests) met for the first mediation. This mediation process is an effort to work together to reach a consensual resolution regarding the survivor claims against the RCDH.
At this time, there is little I can say as the mediation discussions are confidential. However, I am able to report that progress was made between the involved parties and that all parties intend to continue negotiations and mediation, to reach a consensual resolution that will acknowledge the harm suffered and provide for meaningful and fair compensation for survivors. As was explained at the beginning of this process, filing for reorganization was the only option to right our financial situation, especially after the significant legal and investigative costs we incurred due to the Grand Jury Subpoena and years of declining revenues. I have full confidence that at the conclusion of this process, our Diocese will have a much stronger foundation to build, and rebuild, upon. I also wish to take this opportunity to address our annual financial audit.
Typically at this time of year, we would publish the results of this annual financial audit in The Catholic Witness and on our Diocesan website. Due to the ongoing bankruptcy process, we are unable to release financial statements for the fiscal year end June 30, 2020 until this process is complete. We do provide regular financial updates to the bankruptcy court and all documents related to this process can be found online. We still have several months of reorganization efforts ahead of us.
As this process continues, I encourage you to visit www.hbgdiocese.org/reorganization-information for the most up-to-date information. I humbly ask for your prayers for our Diocese as we continue this process. May God grant us every grace needed during this difficult time. May Mary, Mother of the Church and our Mother, intercede with Her Son to be our strength and support.
Sincerely Yours in Christ, Most Reverend Ronald W. Gainer Bishop of Harrisburg
UPDATED: A FOUNDATION TO BUILD UPON
The Diocese has created a special page that contains several resources, including some Frequently Asked Questions and court documents. Visit the Diocese Information page to learn about this process.
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