August 3, 2008 
TRANSFIGURATION/STS. PETER & PAUL PARISH
WEST HAZLETON, PENNSYLVANIA 
18th Sunday in Ordinary Time 

NEXT SUNDAY’S READINGS: As a way to prepare for Mass next Sunday, you may pray with the readings for next Sunday’s Mass: 1 Kings 19, 9a, 11-13a, Romans 9:1-5, Matthew 14:22-33

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 3 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!

RAINFOREST ADVENTURE: A TREETOP BIBLE BLAST - Vacation Bible School is right around the corner and we’re transforming the Rectory basement into a tropical paradise for our children. On TUESDAY, AUGUST 5th at 7 PM, you’re invited to come join the fun and help decorate. Palm trees welcome!

YEAR OF ST. PAUL - In today’s second reading, St. Paul highlights the fact that our salvation is not affected by our sufferings. Rather, it is his view that only sin - the abuse of our freedom, which leads us to reject God’s love - can endanger our salvation. Therefore, sin - not suffering - is what Christians should truly fear.

SANCTUARY CANDLE 
(STS) - In memory of AGATHA & JOHN MATULEVICH 
requested by 
children and grand children

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

STS - Margaret LaBuz

TR - Emro Shivy
Agnes Kopec


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

THANK YOU to JOHN J. BRADY, D.D.S., M.S.D., ORTHODONTIST in West Hazleton for placing an ad in our bulletin. Please remember to support the businesses that support our parish bulletin.

COLLECTION FOR: 7-27-2008

(TR) Envelopes issued 645 - envelopes used 303 (offering)
(STS) Envelopes issued 130 - envelopes used 68 (offering)
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!

ON THE HORIZON ….
August 5 - 7 PM - Decorating the Rectory Basement for Vacation Bible School 
August 6 - 6 PM - Vesper Service - Feast of the Transfiguration - Fr. Laurian Janicki will preside (light refreshments will be served in the school afterwards, all are most welcome and invited to attend)
August 7 - Atlantic City Trip
August 11-15 VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL AT TRANSFIGURATION FROM 6-8 PM
August 15 - Holy Day of Obligation - Feast of The 
Assumption
August 18 - 7 PM - West Hazleton Crime Watch - Pastoral 
Center

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.

THERE WILL BE TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES TO SIGN UP FOR THE 2008-2009 CCD CLASSES.
Sunday, August 17th - after the 11 AM Mass
Sunday, August 24th - 10:30 AM - 11 AM (before Mass)
PLACE: Altar Server Sacristy in Transfiguration Church

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. 
Please feel free to make your favorite “goodie” for our children. Goodies may be dropped off at the Rectory during the week of Vacation Bible School during normal business hours. Thank You!


SUMMER FINANCES - Summertime is a time that Sunday collections often take a downturn because many people go away on vacation and church attendance often lags. 
Thank you for your conscientious stewardship to your parish. If you are planning on a vacation during the summer, please try to submit your envelopes upon your return. Please remember that our bills stay constant whether you are in town or away.

BAZAAR - Holy Rosary Parish, 240 S. Poplar St., Hazleton, will conduct its Annual Summer Bazaar on SATURDAY, AUGUTST 2nd from 4-10 PM and SUNDAY, AUGUST 3rd from noon - 9 PM. There will be a large variety of homemade foods and games available as well as continuous entertainment. All activities are under cover and all are welcome to attend. Please join them for a fun-filled weekend.

PERSONAL PORTRAITS FROM SEARS STUDIOS IN THE LAUREL MALL - What a great deal we received from Sears!!!! Certificates will be available at the Rectory from now until December for only $10.00
What you need to know:
Purchase the certificate at the Rectory for $10.00 (limit one per family, per session)
Take certificate to Sears Portrait Studio - located near the JC Penney Store
Your package will include: (1) 10 x 13, (1) 8 x 10, and (4) 3 x 5 pictures of the same pose
NO SESSION FEE WILL BE CHARGED (that alone is a savings of $14.99)
This is a super deal!!!! It is a perfect time to have a family portrait done or even a single setting of a family member.
(Coupons expire December 31, 2008) 

BANNS OF MARRIAGE are announced for the third time between Joseph Curcio and Justine Vukson.

EVENING PRAYER SERVICE - On Wednesday, AUGUST 6th, Transfiguration Church will have an Evening Prayer in honor of the Feast of The Transfiguration. The Vesper Service shall begin at 6 PM. Rev. Leo McKernan, Diocesan Preacher for Called to Holiness and Mission: Pastoral Planning in our Diocese of Scranton will be the homilist. Light refreshments will be provided by the St. Teresa Society after the service in the school auditorium. All are invited to attend.

2008 MISSIONARY COOPERATIVE COLLECTION -Rev. Leonard G. Lopez, IVE from the Institute of the Incarnate Word in Brooklyn, New York will be joining us this weekend for the Mission Cooperative appeal. Please be generous to this collection.

MADONNA del MONTE FESTIVAL - Most Precious Blood Church, 131 E. Fourth Street in Hazleton will hold their Madonna del Monte Festival on Saturday, August 9th and Sunday, August 10th. Grounds open on Saturday at 5 PM and a DJ will provide the music. On Sunday, their will be a con-
celebrated Mass followed by a procession through the streets of the Parish.
There will be a pasta and meatball dinner beginning at 12 noon to 4 PM. Ground activities will begin at 4 PM. There will be plenty of delicious homemade foods, and games for both young and old. Please join them for a great time. 

GOSPEL MUSIC CONCERT & BUFFET DINNER - The Safe Harbor Lighthouse, 501 S. Church Street in Hazleton will be holding a Gospel Music Concert and Buffet Style Dinner on SATURDAY, AUGUST 9th, 2008 at 7 PM. The Buffet Dinner includes: Beef & Mushrooms, Halupki, Sausage & Peppers, Potato, Vegetable, Soda, Coffee or Tea. COST: $10.00/adults and $5.00/children.
Mercy’s Promise Quartet & The Christian DJ will be singing the Best in Southern Gospel Music. (Concert is free but a free-will offering will be taken). For additional information and reservations, please call 455-8362 or 455-9927.

WEST HAZLETON HIGH SCHOOL WILDCAT ROUNDUP - The 2008 West Hazleton High School Roundup will be held on Saturday, August 23rd at the Nescopeck Township Fire Hall. All Classes and Teachers are welcome. A buffet dinner including soup, salad, Roast Pork & Sauerkraut, Baked Chicken, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Carrots, Cole Slaw, Apple Sauce, dessert and coffee and soda will be available beginning at 12 noon . At 3 PM, a smaller buffet with different menu items will be served. There will be prizes, awards and crab races. Please bring your memorabilia to share with us - your yearbook, photos, etc. Registration from 11 AM - 12 noon. 
COST: $22.00 per person (1 guest per graduate)
RESERVATION DEADLINE: August 13th, 2008
Please call Bob Hildebrand at 788-2515 with any questions.

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT - America’s Night Out Against Crime shall be held on SATURDAY, AUGUST 2nd, 2008 from 5-9 PM at the Senior Center, South 4th Street in West Hazleton. There will be plenty of FREE food, FREE beverages, and FREE entertainment with live music. Please join them in this very worthwhile cause.

NEW MEMBERS - Please welcome ROSEMARY MORAN into our Transfiguration Parish Family. Welcome aboard!

WITH SYMPATHY - Please remember in your prayers the soul of MARY GATSKI (TR) and STACIE HILL who recently passed away. May she rest in peace and her family be comforted in their loss.

WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER - If we believe, Jesus will give us all the food we need for our marriage. The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekends are September 19 thru 21 in the Reading area, November 14 thru 16 in Easton and February 15 thru 15 in Bethlehem. Early registration is recommended. For more information, please visit their website at: www.wwme-nepa.org  or call 1-800-787-7679.

OUR LADY OF FATIMA DEVOTIONS shall be held on Wednesday, August 13th at 7 PM at Holy Rosary Church, S. Poplar Street in Hazleton. There will be prayers and hymns to Our Lady of Fatima, Rosary, Litany of the Blessed Mother and Mass in honor of Our Lady of Fatima. All are most welcome to attend.

ACT OF REDEDICATION TO OUR LADY - Blessed Mother, accept again the sacrifice of my whole self to your service now, tomorrow and always. Please pray and intercede for me with your Divine Son, Jesus Christ, in all my needs and, at the moment of my death, bring me safely to heaven to enjoy everlasting happiness and glorify your Divine Son Jesus for all eternity. Amen. 

FR. MARK’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF ORDINATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD - Please join Fr. Mark in celebrating his 25th Anniversary on SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2008.
His Anniversary Mass shall be celebrated at the 11 AM Mass in Transfiguration Church. A reception shall be held immediately following the Mass at:
Holy Family Academy School
1700 23rd Street
Hazleton, PA 18201
He cordially invites everyone to join him on his special day. Please call the rectory at 454-3933 to make your reservation for the reception. A full meal will be served.

PARISH FAMILY PICNIC - Rev. Gerald J. Gurka of St. John the Baptist Church, 126 Nesbitt St. in Larksville invites you to attend their Annual Bazaar on August 8th (6-11 PM), 9th (5-11 PM) & 10th (3-10 PM) on the parish grounds. There will be plenty of homemade Polish & American foods along with refreshments, games & prizes. Also featured will be a gigantic flea market & Theme Basket Stand. 

BAPTISMAL JOY - Last weekend, the Parish Community of Transfiguration Church welcomed PATRICK DENNIS BONNER, JR., son of Mr. & Mrs. Patrick (Monica) Bonner into their Parish Family. We pray that his parents will be his best teacher in the ways of his Catholic faith.

LIFELINE - It is precisely in caring for the poorest and most helpless of patients, those whose value and dignity are dismissed by others, that Catholic health care most clearly lives up to its mission and demonstrates the need for specifically Catholic health care providers in our secularized society. It is in meeting the moral challenge of caring for the most helpless that we live up to our own God-given dignity. 
- Cardinal Justin F. Rigali, JCD & Bishop Wm. E. Lori, STD
“On Basic Care for Patients in the ‘Vegetative State,” 
Health Progress, May-June 2008, 70-72