Parish News
Third Sunday of Advent Staff Reflections
JOY
As a mother’s heart fills with joy when her child is born, so the world is consumed with joy as the Son of God comes to us on Christmas. Filled with joy, we welcome and celebrate the Lord’s birth, celebrating the abundant and enduring love of our God who, in His infinite wisdom and charity, sent His Son to us. – Maggie Gruschow
JOY means Happiness. My whole family being together is my happiness! My Ohio family, my church family, my work family. I think of Joy when I see someone smile or hear someone laugh. It’s easy to spread Joy with a simple smile. A few years ago when we lived in Virginia my children learned that JOY meant “Jesus, Others, Yourself” at their CCD class. We have tried to remember to always use that meaning now. We put Jesus first, then others, lastly yourself. It’s a great way to always remember to keep Jesus at the front of your heart. He will bring you the ultimate JOY in your life. - Amy Morano
Webster’s definition of “joy” tells us that we are feeling “great pleasure and happiness”, this time of the year presents many options to illustrate just that – despite our altered state of living! Whether you are connected to family & friends live or virtually, you breath freely without distress or anxiety, you wake up just a bit more hopeful than the day before or countless other experiences of simple pleasure that every human being takes for granted during the course of the day, your “joy”, my “joy” comes from the most basic of human emotions. Nurture, then, and be joyful for the simplest of things in the most complicated of times. - George Ehgartner
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Peter 1: 8-9 This may seem a rather odd verse at Christmas and especially with all that is going on in our world with the pandemic. With the lockdown and other personal things in our lives – I find these verses help me for the joy that I feel and hope that you do too in the Advent Joy of our Salvation. God bless. - Father D’Emma
Jesus left heaven and came into this world bound by time and flesh with the sole desire of our salvation. He was willing to suffer and die so that we might someday be with him forever. Such love has no equal on earth and is the cause of my joy. People often confuse joy with happiness, but they are not interchangeable. Joy is from within, regardless of what is going on around you. Happiness can be a blurred emotion, dependent on a situation. Joyful people make a commitment to gratitude regardless of the circumstances. - Robin Lees
Second Sunday of Advent Staff Reflections
PEACE
"Peace begins with a smile," (Mother Teresa.) PEACE is a stress-free state of security and calmness. I have this PEACE not because of the lack of chaos in life, but because Jesus brings me PEACE throughout the chaos. Our faith in God; our trust in others; our love for others; and the joy we bring to others is what brings us PEACE. – Antoinette Oliverio
When I reflect on the word “Peace” I think about a couple of my favorite verses from Philippians 4:6-9. I have read these words from St. Paul many, many times because they remind me that true peace can only be found in Jesus and that the only way to be at peace is to set our minds on Him. As we prepare for Christmas 2020, my prayer is that we free our minds of all of the negativity of the past year and make room in our hearts for the only source of true peace, Jesus Christ. – Heidi Lynch
Amidst the stench of a stable, the bleating of sheep, the anxiety and worry of new parents, the weariness of a multitude of travelers, the attention of royal guests and their caravan, the blinding brightness of a star, and the crush of a multitude of angels a baby slept blissfully in a manger. He was fed, loved, and content. This is the peace of Christ that is extended to us all this Advent season. - Deacon Centenera
The first message of the Angels after the birth of the Lord was, “Peace on Earth!”.(Luke 2:14)
The first message of the Lord after his Resurrection was, “Peace Be with You!” (John 20: 19, 21, 26)
The first thing we all need as Individuals, Families, Communities, Cultures, Countries and Continents is “PEACE.”….. The Peace that God alone can give, the Peace that the world cannot give.(John 14:27)
Christmas once again brings that Peace! - Father Raja
First Sunday of Advent Staff Reflections
HOPE
I have an ornament that is always the first ornament to go on my Christmas Tree. It is a ceramic heart shape ornament that says Jesus is the reason for the season. When my tree goes up and I put this ornament on the tree, I always think of Baby Jesus and the hope that he gives us, especially during this season. Anyway, here is my reflection on Hope. I hope it is what you were looking for. If not, please let me know. - Star Wiskeman
It takes a lot of faith to believe that things can change for the better. Hope is knowing that our lives have meaning—that each day that we live matters, and that we matter, because we are loved by God and because He has an eternal plan for our lives. Hope gives me reassurance that the possibilities are endless. – Heather Howie
There is a proverbial saying that HOPE springs eternal. What that means is that it is our human nature to always strive to be optimistic about the future no matter what the odds. In this trying time of the pandemic, we prepare in Advent for the birth of Christ and know and BELIEVE that Jesus is the source, reason, and confirmation of why we HOPE in the first place. – Deacon Salzmann
Parish Directories Available
After much anticipation and multiple delays due to the pandemic, the Parish Directory is finally in! If you submitted a picture or got your picture taken for the directory, you will receive a FREE copy! Please email Heidi Lynch at hlynch@saintpatrickchurch.org or call 717-243-4411 x 203 to make arrangements.
If your picture is not in the new parish directory, but you would like to purchase a directory, the cost is $10.00. Please have exact cash or write a check for $10.00 to St. Patrick Church and contact Heidi Lynch (contact info above) to make arrangements.
Live Stream Adoration
Until the Adoration Chapel is re-opened and we are once again able to offer a live feed of adoration, please join in adoration of our Eucharistic Lord with this live stream feed from the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, Singapore.
Confession Moves Indoors
The cold weather is here and Saturday confessions are moving indoors! In the video below, Fr. Bender discusses what to expect.
Attention! Ministries, Groups & Organizations
Attention! Ministries, Groups & Organizations CDC and Diocesan guidelines state that all meetings in person in buildings must be attended by a paid staff member who monitors the meeting, takes thermal scans, has all attendees fill out surveys and disinfect all surfaces afterwards. Because of this requirement, the only meetings happening in person are those of ministries that are headed by staff i.e. RCIA, bell choir, parish council, youth group etc. It is my decision that with St Patrick’s over 53 ministries, organizations and groups, these guidelines would be too daunting for the church staff to handle on top of their regular duties as well as disinfecting the church after Masses on Sunday and weekdays.
As we are now in the season of fall with winter not too far behind, and if you have been meeting outside, you’ve probably noticed that it can get a bit dark and chilly out there! It may be time to rethink how your group meets and gathers together! As parish facilities will not be available to you due to the pandemic and the rules and guidelines that we are following, have you considered meeting in the comfort and safety of your homes? You know best how many folks can fit into your own personal spaces and you would have total control as to the arrangement of your set-ups. If that doesn’t meet your needs, remember there is the tried and tested ZOOM that always works in a pinch! Have a safe fall and if possible, think outside the box to help you get through these unprecedented times!
All Souls Day
Dear Family:
Old Saint Patrick Cemetery
Every November 2, we celebrate All Souls Day, also known as the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed and the Day of the Dead. We are aware that it is a day of prayer and remembrance for all the souls that have died throughout the year. Our Catholic belief tells us that the soul of a person who dies can go to one of three places. The first is heaven, where a person who dies in a state of perfect grace and communion with God goes. The second is hell, where those who die in a state of mortal sin are naturally condemned by their choice. The intermediate option is purgatory, which is thought to be where most people, free of mortal sin, but still in a state of lesser (venial) sin, must go. Purgatory is necessary so that souls can be cleansed and perfected before they enter into heaven. There is scriptural basis for this belief. It comes from 2 Maccabees, 12:26 and 12:32. "Turning to supplication, they prayed that the sinful deed might be fully blotted out... Thus made atonement for the dead that they might be free from sin." As your pastor, keeping in mind the extreme importance of prayer and reflection, I would like to offer you a gift of my prayers and remembrances of your deceased loved ones in all of my and Father Raja’s masses during the month of November. I have included the “traditional” envelope for you to fill in the names of your loved ones who have passed as well as an additional lined sheet to also list names. These envelopes and sheets will placed on the altar of the Marsh Drive church and on the altar in the PAC in a special box for the entire month of November – all you need to do is either drop your envelopes and names off at the parish office, collection baskets at mass or place them in the US mail to us. With God’s help and many prayers, my sincere wish is that next year, 2021, all our lives will be mostly, if not completely, back to “normal.” If so, I will be introducing to our family the Hispanic tradition of “Día de los Muertos” – Day of the Dead. It will be a wonderful way to help pray our ancestors into heaven with mass and rosary/chaplet walks in our cemetery. Something that we as a parish have not done before. Hopefully masks and social distancing will be a thing of the past!
Peace,
Rev. Donald H. Bender
Pastor
Eucharistic Adoration
On Tuesdays from 9:00am to 9:00pm in rooms 222 and 224 of the PAC! Please do not try to come into the main entrance of the PAC. You will be able to enter directly into the classrooms using the door on the side of the building near the PAC gym entrance. In order to keep everyone safe from the possible spread of COVID-19, adorers will need to provide their own chairs or kneeling pads. Please wear a mask and socially distance when setting up your chairs. If you would like to sign up to be an adorer, you may contact Doug Henschel at djhenschel@aol.com or 610-207-8654 or you may stop in anytime between 9am-9pm on Tuesdays starting September 15th.
Letter from Pastor - August 7, 2020
Friday, August 7, 2020
St. Sixtus II, Pope, and Companions, Martyrs; St. Cajetan, Priest; First Friday
Dear Family:
It has been almost two and a half months since I wrote my last letter to you informing you of the changes that would be happening regarding returning to mass and how we were to successfully implement the guidance I received. I am very happy to say that the 9:00 a.m. masses on Sundays have been well received and on average, totaling the attendance at both the PAC gym and church together, we have about 275 to 310 people who attend on a weekly basis. As we got into our temporary routine, we have had to slightly tweak and alter some processes, but, for the overall flow of the mass we are successful. As well, our Monday through Saturday 8:00 a.m. mass in the church also has a regular group of attendees.
The processes and rules that we put into place at the beginning of our return continue to remain in effect. These processes are very important to me because I care about my family and their health and well-being. For weekday masses, the church doors open at 7:30 a.m. and then are locked at 8:05 a.m. Attendees are asked to sit in the center two aisles observing social distancing and wearing masks. The reason for this is simple: if attendees are contained to select areas, just those areas used have to be cleaned and sanitized. If we begin to use other sections in the church, guidelines direct us to then clean and sanitize those areas as well even though only one or two people may be using the pew. For Sunday masses, doors are opened at 8:30 a.m. and then locked at 9:05 a.m. Our ushers have been very diligent in their “filling the church and the PAC” according to the rules. Again, social distancing and masks are paramount to our safety. While most of our family abides by the recommendations, there are some who do not. Keep in mind that these people are treated no differently than anyone else. Additionally, even though the doors are automatically locked, if people show up after the established lock time they are permitted to enter if they are noticed by an usher.
I also understand our family’s desire to have an additional mass, namely a Saturday evening mass. After much thought and conversation with parish staff, I am pleased to announce that we will have one Saturday evening mass in the PAC gymnasium which would start at 5:15 p.m. promptly. Working within the parameters and guidelines that have been set forth by the bishop and our government leaders, we will see how this additional mass is received. Given this scheduling, that means that confessions time in the parking lot will be from 3:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. I am currently working through usher duties as well as cleaning and sanitation details. Start date for Saturday evening mass is Saturday, September 12, 2020 @5:15 p.m. – NO MUSIC in the PAC ON SATURDAY NIGHT.
As this pandemic situation is truly unprecedented for all of us, Saint Patrick is unique because we are in a geographic location that also has another catholic church in close proximity – Queen of Peace at the army barracks. I am fully aware that some of our family members have found it more beneficial, advantageous and convenient for them to attend mass and receive the Eucharist there because we have been unable to duplicate what is done there. It is very important to note that while they are very close to us in terms of distance, they are governed by the Archdiocese of the Military which is separate and independent from the Diocese of Harrisburg. Their bishop is different than ours as well as their rules guiding how masses should be handled during these times. Some have asked why we don’t mirror those processes and procedures to make it easier for us and now you know why.
On a much lighter note, we are continually blessed that our collections have remained steady (which you see in the bulletin each week) and I thank you all for your use of online giving, as well as mailing & dropping off envelopes and the collection baskets at mass.
We have had two successful food truck events housed in the PAC parking lot which have allowed many of our family to come out for a few hours and maybe see friends that they haven’t for a while and to enjoy not cooking for a night. A third food truck event is being formulated for a September timeframe.
Our “oldest” seminarian, Aaron M. Lynch, will be ordained a deacon on Saturday, August 22. Aaron will preach his first mass the next day, Sunday, August 23 @ 9:00 a.m. mass. Plan on being there or tuning in. As well, Bryan Salzman and Billy Centenera will be ordained permanent deacons on Saturday, September 12 at Holy Name of Jesus Church by Bishop Gainer. What a truly blessed time for our family!
Our online viewership has continued to grow! While every now and then we may have a minor technical glitch, daily and Sunday mass is live-streamed as well as certain funerals and special events. I mention “You Tube” a lot because it is the best way to see and experience many of our events. Look for us, Saint Patrick Church, Carlisle PA on www.youtube.com. Subscribe, it’s easy and FREE!
We have had a number of individual First Communion’s and Confirmations occur during daily mass and our group First Communion was May 8 and our Confirmation group was May 3.
Some groups have met and gathered being socially distant in our PAC parking lot and others like Life Teen have gone hiking!
Hopefully this small smattering clearly shows you how alive our Saint Patrick family is. My prayers for you all as my parish family remain constant!
Peace,
Rev. Donald H. Bender, PASTOR
Matthew 14: 34-36
After making the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret. 35 When the men of that place recognized him, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought to him all those who were sick 36 and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak, and as many as touched it were healed.
A Reflection on Mercy and Love
As many parishioners are aware, I provided some of my initial reactions to the saddening and quite frustrating news concerning the death of George Floyd in Minnesota. I don’t think that anyone who watched that video footage could not have felt a great deal of anguish as a man appeared to be unfairly treated by someone who had taken an oath to protect and serve. It also appeared that others stood idly by. After posting my initial reaction, I decided on my own volition to remove it later. A few parishioners have inquired as to why. I thought a follow up response was a good idea.
The reason I decided to remove my initial post is quite simple. I reflected upon the tragedy in many ways and realized that I was reacting to what I was hearing and listening to and needed more time to internalize the injustice of not only the death of Mr. Floyd but also the injustices that exist in our world. I also thought that as the investigation continued and as the debates continued I needed to take some time to gather more information.
Upon this necessary pause for prayer and reflection, I have decided that my message is and should be the message of LOVE. That is where I stand. I stand with and for all who want to each day encounter their neighbor with love. Our dialogue must be based upon love. Our desire to make this world a better place must be centered upon love of God and love of our neighbor. We need to allow ourselves to ask the questions why. Why can such things happen? Why do others and why do we sometimes treat others so egregiously? Why do others…and sometimes we stand idly by when such evils occur? Why did no one try to stop the carrying of the cross of Christ? However, we also need to understand that humanity, individually and as a whole, is broken and is fraught with frailties. And most importantly, we are all in need of God’s love and mercy. That is also why Jesus came and why we all need to think not only of the acts of injustice that need to be sought out and eliminated but also all acts of injustice towards all those marginalized in our society, by our own acts or acts of others, that we are in deep need of mercy and forgiveness.
It all starts with LOVE. There is a biblical passage that discusses what LOVE is and what LOVE is not. We often hear this passage at weddings where we celebrate God’s gift of love. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love does not envy, does not boast, is not proud, and is not rude. Love is not self-seeking nor is easily angered. Love does not keep record of wrongs and love never fails. It is sometimes very difficult to love when we experience hatred, anger, and wrongdoings. However, we are still called to love.
It is my sincere hope that all concerned keep LOVE as the basis in all dialogue, in all calls for change, and in seeking a balance which protects the preciousness of all life. We must seek to build up the Kingdom of God here on this earth through mutual respect, recognition that each and every one of us has been created by God and are children of God, each human being is irrepeatable and unique, and each and every life is sacred and blessed by God. I believe that the strength of God’s love for us and the power of the divine mercy of Jesus overcomes our human weaknesses and our faults. We cannot do this alone. We need God’s help. We need prayer to guide our dialogue and our actions.
As we work together to make our community a community of love, let us join together to support those who earnestly seek to protect every person in our communities equally as well as all those who support ways to improve our human experience for each and every member of our society. May the peace of Christ that only He can give be with each and every one of you. Thank you for allowing me to let you know where I stand…I stand with LOVE.
Peace in Him,
Fr Don Bender, Pastor
Bankruptcy Notice
Bankruptcy Notice
UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
In re Diocese of Harrisburg
Case No. 1:20-bk-00599 (HWV)
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT, On February 19, 2020 the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg (“Diocese”) filed for protection under chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”).
The Bankruptcy Court has established November 13, 2020 t 11:59 p.m. (prevailing Eastern time) as the deadline to file proofs of claim against the Diocese (the “bar date”).
If you have a claim against the Diocese, including, without limitation, a claim related to sexual abuse committed by any person connected with the Diocese, you must file a claim on or before the Bar Date.
Please visit https://dm.epiq11.com/RCDH or call (866) 977-0992 for more information on how to file your proof of claim. IF YOU DO NOT TIMELY FILE A PROOF OF CLAIM, YOU MAY FORFEIT YOUR RIGHT TO VOTER ON ANY PLAN OF REORGANIZATION AND TO SHARE IN ANY DISTRIBUTIONS MADE TO CREDITORS IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEBTOR’S CHAPTER 11 CASE.