The Sanctuary Light burns this week in Holy Child Church to remind us of the presence of Christ reserved in the tabernacle.

The Candle at Holy Child Church in Mansfield is offered in memory of Carolyn Jaquish Bond by Dave and Nancy Jaquish

The Candle at St. Mary's Church in Blossburg is offered in memory of Mary Elizabeth Retorick by Theresa Carlson
If you would like to sponsor the Sanctuary Light in memory of a loved one at St. Mary's or Holy Child Church, please call the rectory office. The donation for this is $5 per week. Please call the parish office to check for dates available.

Ministers of the altar for weekend of March 6 and 7
4 PM Saturday at Holy Child
Readers: Carl Smith
Servers: Alex and Tristan Templeman
E. Min: John Ranck
6:30 PM Saturday at St. Mary's
Readers: Ray Brundage
Servers: Frank and Billy Lupkowski
E. Min: Peter Lupkowski
9 AM Sunday at Holy Child
Readers: Bernie Makos, Brenda Brewster
Servers: Peter Kutbay, Luke Berguson
E. Min: Connie Bellas
11:15 AM Sunday at Holy Child
Readers: Girl Scouts
Servers: Bailey and Nicholas Olson
E. Min: Anna Marie Mimlitsch

Ministers of the altar for weekend of March 13 and 14
4 PM Saturday at Holy Child
Readers: Bob Wood
Servers: Alex and Andrew Nadas
E. Min: Connie Bellas
6:30 PM Saturday at St. Mary's
Readers: Peter Lupkowski
Servers: Frank and Billy Lupkowski
E. Min: Tony Lupkowski
9 AM Sunday at Holy Child
Readers: Linda Hawn, Francis Murphy
Servers: Grace Scouten, S. Rutledge, A. Rohl
E. Min: Peggy Padden
11:15 AM Sunday at Holy Child
Readers: 3rd Grade Prep Students
Servers: Patricia Roch and John Minnich
E. Min: Anna Marie Mimlitsch

Please pray for those who have passed away:
Remember in your prayers the souls of Floyd Nowak, a parishioner and Leona Gerstlauer, sister of Florrie Dove of our parish, both of whom died this week. We pray for deceased parishioners, family, friends and benefactors. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.

Please pray for those who are ill and their caregivers...
Patricia Landis- Dunbar, Erma Mitchell, Doug Robinson, Chet Tokarz, Bryan Augustine, Nancy Matthews, Anna Friedman, Liz Naylor, Paul Bugay, Connie Leone, Carolyn Drinkwine, Dorothy Tomski, John Patt, Carol Knable, Benjamin Allessi, Jackie Felix and family, friends, and all parishioners in nursing homes. Please call the parish office to add names of those for whom you wish us to pray. To respect our parishioners' privacy, please ask them before having names added to our prayer list.

Please inform the parish office if you or a family member is ill or has been hospitalized
Because of the privacy regulations the hospitals no longer routinely call us when a parishioner is hospitalized.

Stations of the Cross
Fridays of Lent: Mass at 6 PM followed by Stations of the Cross at 6:30 PM
At Holy Child: March 12, 19, 26

During Lent, The Church of St. Mary of Czestechowa will be open for PRIVATE DEVOTION on Fridays from 9 AM until 5 PM

Lenten Lunches
This Lenten devotion is sponsored by the Mansfield Ministerium and will be held at noon on the Thursdays of Lent at the Soul Link Faith Community Gathering in Canoe Camp
A short devotion is held in the church and a brown bag lunch follows in the social hall. Bring your own sandwich. Dessert and coffee/ tea will be provided by the hosting Ministerium church. You are asked to bring a non-perishable item for the food pantry. A collection will be taken for the work of the Ministerium in our community. Note: Holy Child is the host parish on Thursday, March 4th

Tioga- Lycoming Deanery Lenten Penance Services:
Monday, March 15th: 7 PM St. Thomas, Elkland
Tuesday, March 16th: 7 PM St. Mary's, Blossburg
Tuesday, March 16th: 7 PM St. Luke, Jersey Shore
Thursday, March 18th: 7 PM St. Peter, Wellsboro
Sunday, March 21st: 2 PM Holy Child, Mansfield
Monday, March 22nd: 7 PM Our Lady of Lourdes, Montoursville
Wednesday, March 24th: 7 PM Resurrection, Muncy
Monday, March 29th: 7 PM St. Boniface, Williamsport

New Bishop Announced: On Tuesday, February 23, Pope Benedict XVI named Monsignor Joseph Bambera as the 10th Bishop of the Diocese of Scranton
He has been serving as delegate to Cardinal Rigali since Bishop Martino's resignation 6 months ago. Monsignor Bambera will be installed as Bishop of Scranton at a Mass at 2 PM in St. Peter's Cathedral on April 26th.
Bishop-elect Bambera is 53 years old. He is a native of Carbondale, and was ordained in 1983. He has served as a parish priest, Vicar for Priests, and Episcopal Vicar.
We join in prayer for Bishop-elect Bambera as he prepares to undertake the role as leader of the faithful in the Diocese of Scranton.

Annual Collection for Catholic Social Services next weekend...
Catholic Social Services, the compassionate hands of Christ in the world, offers help and hope for the needy and the hurting, 365 days a year. Be a partner in compassion with Catholic Social Services by offering your support next week. This is your opportunity to help with your financial and prayer support for the successful operation of the church's caring outreach in our diocese. There are envelopes for this collection in your packets. Please place your gift into the regular offertory collection. There will not be a second collection

Easter Flower Memorials
There is an envelope in your current packet for Easter Flower donations. Please write on it the names of the deceased persons you wish to honor by your donation. (Please write or print legibly.) Easter Flower Memorials will be included in our Easter Bulletin.

The Finance Council Meeting previously scheduled for Tuesday, March 23 has been rescheduled for Tuesday, April 13, at 6 PM in Holy Child Hall

Our Parish Evangelization Committee will meet Monday, March 8th at 7 PM in Holy Child Hall
This committee is dedicated to finding ways for all members of our parish to join together in meaningful ways for all members of our parish to join together in meaningful worship and to extend the fellowship of our Christian faith to all.
Anyone who would like to be involved in this activity is cordially invited to attend. If you would like more information, call Joan Miller at 662-3594.

Good Neighbor Easter Eggs - Still only $5 Dozen or $0.50 a piece
Order deadline: March 7, 2010
Use the order form in this week's bulletin. Eggs will be available for delivery Palm Sunday, unless arrangements are made to pick them up earlier. You can drop your order form in the collection basket.
Choose from Milk or Dark Chocolate and Peanut Butter, Coconut Cream or Cherry Nut filling!

Buffet Dinner in Holy Child Hall - Friday, March 12th - from 4 PM to 6:30 PM. On the menu: Homemade Pierogies, Fried Fish, Soup, Salad Bar, Vegetables, Potatoes, Beverage and Dessert
Enjoy all you care to eat! Adults: $9.00 Children: $4.00

Parents of students in the First Communion Class: There will be an important meeting on Sunday, March 14th at 10 AM in Holy Child Church
Information on First Penance, First Communion will be discussed. Packets for your child's First Communion Banner will be distributed. All parents of this year's First Communion Class should make every effort to be present.

The Good Samaritans are sponsoring an Easter Raffle - there are six great prizes and they will be awarded on Saturday, March 27
There are tickets available on the table in back of each church. Or you can contact the members of the Good Samaritans for more tickets. You can give your chance tickets and money directly to any member of the Good Samaritans or place an envelope, with "Good Samaritan Raffle" written on it, into the collection basket. We will pass them on for you. The Good Samaritans thank you for your support.

Dave Flesch, PHD, an instructor at Mansfield University and a member of Holy Child Parish spent 3 months in Russia last fall - he will present a program on his trip in Holy Child Hall on Thursday, March 25th at 7 PM
All are invited to join what will be an informative and enjoyable evening.

Is there interest in having a PARISH PICNIC at Arnot over Labor Day?
Last year, we waited too long to plan for this event. If there is enough interest and people to chair the various committees, we will move forward with this. Please call the parish office, send an e-mail or see Father Jacek. We will need to set up a series of planning meetings beginning in the very near future.

New Catholic Answer Bibles are available in the parish office
Cost is $23.00

Second Collection at all Masses next weekend for the care and education of priests in the Diocese of Scranton
Bishop Martino has directed that a second collection be taken on the first Sunday of each month for the care, formation, and continuing education of our priests. There is an envelope attached to bulletins for this purpose.

We need Altar Servers for both Churches! Anyone who has received First Communion is invited to serve in this ministry of the Altar
We are especially in need of Extraordinary Ministers of Communion, especially for 4 PM Mass on Saturdays. We always welcome new lectors and altar servers,too. If you would like to participate in any of these "Ministries of the Altar", call the Parish Office or speak to Father Jacek. We will arrange for training for you.

Are you interested in serving as an Extraordinary Minister of Communion?
We are especially in need of persons to serve at 11:15 AM Mass on Sundays. Call the rectory for information. We will schedule training for you.

Couples planning to marry…
Must contact the pastor at least six months before the wedding date. Consult the pastor before making any other wedding arrangements.

Click here to learn more about getting married in Holy Child Parish!

Would you like to be part of our Parish
Prayer and Concern Chain?
We are restructuring our Parish Prayer and Concern Chain and will be compiling new lists soon. We ask that you call Joan Miller, 662-3594, to have your name included on the prayer chain. Please do this even if you are on the current Parish Prayer Chain.
So how does the Prayer Chain function? This is a list of Parishioners and their phone numbers. When someone is in need of prayers, for any reason, they are asked to contact the Parishioners who coordinate the Prayer Chain. These persons contact the first person on the list to request their prayers. That person contacts the next person on the list and so on.

If you would like to donate altar flowers in memory of a deceased loved one or in honor of a birthday or anniversary, please contact the parish office.

Baptism
Please contact Father Jacek to arrange date and time for Baptisms.

Matrimony
Please contact the Pastor at least six months prior to the desired date

Anointing of the Sick
Please call the rectory if anyone in your family is seriously ill or going to the hospital and would like to receive Anointing of the Sick. You may also request prayers and a visit to the sick person.

Eucharist for the homebound
The Pastor makes regular Communion calls at the area hospitals and nursing homes as well as to shut-ins of the parish. Please call if you would like a visit from one of our priests to include you or a family member in his visits.

Do you know someone interested in becoming a Catholic?
The right of Christian Initiation of Adults is the process of introducing our Catholic Faith tradition to those interested in becoming members of the Church. This process begins with a period of inquiry in September. If you know of someone who might be interested in learning more about the Church or becoming Catholic, have him/ her call the parish office.

Click here if you want information about having a child Baptized!

Support our Parish Bingo Games:
Monday- 6:30 PM at St. Mary's Hall, Blossburg
Saturday- 6:30 PM at Holy Child Hall, Mansfield

Remember Your Parish...Consider designating "Holy Child Parish" in your will so that the blessings the Lord has given you will help the parish to enrich others
You can make a bequest to the parish simply by having the following statement in your wil: "I leave to Holy Child Parish of Mansfield, Pennsylvania, the sum of $____ or _____% of the residue of my estate for its religious, educational, and charitable works."

Help with Meals?The Health Ministry Committee is looking for parishioners who are willing to make a meal once in a while
for people who are recovering from surgery, families who have a new baby, etc. Can you help with this? Call MaryLou Smith 724-2574 or Peggy Padden, 549-5668

Baby Furniture and Supplies…
Are you having grandchildren or other young children visiting? Do you need a high chair, booster seat, infant bath supplies, pack-and-play for use for a few days and hate to purchase the same? The Health Ministry Committee has these items available for you to borrow as needed. Call MaryLou Smith 724-2574.

Are you in need of a wheel chair, walker, cane, portable toilet, or other supplies for assistance and / or rehabilitation?
Our parish Health Ministry Committee has these items to lend at no charge. If you need information as to what is available. Call MaryLou Smith at 724-2574.

If your baby or granchild has outgrown a certain size diaper before the package was used up, please consider donating them to the Parish Health Ministry.
You may leave them in back of the churches or call Dotty Welsh 662-2057.

The Parish Health Ministry Committee has purchased videos and invites you to take them home, view them and return them for others to use. They are located on the pamphlet rack in back of Holy Child Church.
Parishioners from St. Mary's are asked to call the parish office and tell Linda which videos they would like to view and she will make arrangements to send them to Tioga on Saturday evening with Father Leonard.
     - FOCUS ON FATHERING: Six fathers discuss various aspects of fathering.
     - LIVING THROUGH LOSS: Suggestions for dealing with grief.
     - DON'T TAKE THE CANDY: Ways of protecting children from sexual abuse.
     - SELF-RESPECT: Teens with a zest for life talk about self-worth.
     - ALTERNATIVES TO ABORTION: Three young mothers discuss the problems
       of teenage pregnancy.
     - TO BEGIN AGAIN: Rabbi Naomi Levy explores ways to rebuild life after tragedy
       and how to find faith in difficult times.
    -DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF FOR TEENS: author Richard Carlson shares insights for teens and their parents on dealing with peer pressure, drug and alcohol abuse and more. THE CHIMES: Animated Charles Dickens story emphasizes the power of faith and hope in our lives.

Kindly inform the parish office if you or any members of your family are in the hospital, a nursing home, or confined to home and would like a visit from a priest.

Members of Holy Child Finance Council:
Connie Baker, President; Joe Maresco, Carl Smith, Cleo Warren, George Kump, Pam Thomas, Ed Signor, Peter Lupkowski, Ray Nealen, Anna Marie Mimlitsch, Paul Plowcha, Linda Brown, Recording Secretary

Members of Holy Child Parish Pastoral Council:
Jennifer Minnich, President; Tom Hohman, Vice-President; Jennifer Cheddar, Secretary; Kathryn Wasowicz, Cindy Lisowski, Jim Weiskopff, and Steve Hilfiger, Courtney Hull, Cleo Warren, and Florrie Dove

The Knights of Columbus is a social and service organization
for Catholic men…
If you would like to join or if you would like more information on the local council, call Nick Musshafen at 537-6620.

Parish Registration: We ask that new members of the parish register at the rectory.
You may call and have a registration form mailed to you or stop in and fill one out. Registration enables the parish staff to know the needs of the people they serve. Registration is a condition for admission to our religious education program and reception of the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, First Penance, First Eucharist and Matrimony. If you need a testimonial letter for sponsorship of Baptism, Confirmation and marriage outside of our parish, you must be a registered, active parishioner.
Click here to learn more about joining Holy Child Parish!

Catholic Social Services: In order to better serve the needs of Lycoming, Tioga, Sullivan, and Bradford Counties, a new office has been established at Ascension Parish Center, 2100 Linn Street, Williamsport, PA
Clair Caputo, R.N. is the caseworker and will be doing the in-take and services to women in need, including pregnancy counseling. Bernie Makos, LCW, will be available and accepts most insurance for family, individual and marital counseling, anger management, anxiety and geriatric issues.
Adoption and foster care as well as post adoptive assistance is available.
Office Phone: 570-322-4220
Office Hours: Tuesday 2-4 PM
Wednesday: 1:30 PM - 4 PM
Thursday: 9 AM to 3 PM
Other times by appointment
Bernie Makos also has an office in Mansfield at 3892 Lambs Creek Road. You can reach him at 662-7788.

Feeling Stressed? Having a hard time coping with a loss or transition? Struggling in your marriage or with your children?
Counseling Services are available in Tioga County through Catholic Social Services. For information or an appointment, call Bernard D. Makos. LCSW at Serenity Counseling, 662-7788. Most insurances are accepted. A sliding fee schedule is available through Catholic Social Services to help make counseling affordable

Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you...
before you were born I dedicated you. Jeremiah 1: 4-5

Are you in a crisis pregnancy?
Are you suffering from the effects of an abortion?
Help is available...you have a friend!

Endless Mountains Pregnancy Care Center
Canton: 570-673-4476
Towanda: 570-265-0500
Email: empcc@frontiernet.net
Web: www.empccfree.com

This organization offers guidance and support to any woman with an unplanned, unanticipated or stressful pregnancy. They offer free services, including pregnancy testing, counseling, education. clothing and referrals.

Counseling for abortion alternatives:
Option Line: 800-395-HELP
Birthright: 800-550-4900
Pregnancy Hotline: 800-848-LOVE
Bethany Christian Services: 800-238-4269

Post Abortion Counseling:
Rachel's Vineyard: 877-HOPE4ME
www.rachelsvineyard.org

St. Anthony's Soup Kitchen in Williamsport - the third Friday of each month
We are in need of people to help out at St. Anthony's Soup Kitchen in Williamsport on the third Friday each month. The carpool leaves Holy Child parking lot at 8:30 AM to help with food preparation and serving the noon meal. After enjoying lunch and cleanup, you return to Mansfield around 3 PM. If you would like to participate or need information, call Dick Lynch at 662-2782.

Volunteers Needed!
A few years ago, the Diocese of Scranton implemented a Time and Talent Program in hopes of raising parishioners’ awareness of the greet need for volunteers in all our parishes. The program continues...

Our CCD Program:
We need teachers/ aides/ substitutes for both St. Mary’s and Holy Child,

Bingo Workers
We need adults to help as floor workers and ticket sellers. Bingo makes about $20,000 a year for our parish. But to continue our Bingo game, we need new workers. You will not be asked to work more than one Saturday evening a month.

Kitchen at Bingo on Saturday evenings:
Volunteers serve sandwiches, salad and dessert to Bingo players. We always need substitutes to fill in as needed. Call Dee Borden and volunteer to help.

Kitchen Help at our Monthly Dinners:
Our monthly dinners resume with the 1890’s Smorgasboard in late September. After that, we have dinners on the second Friday of each month. Food preparation begins on Wednesday or Thursday and continues through the day of the dinner. Meals are served from 4-6:30 PM.
We always need help with:
Food Preparation
Serving the Meal
Cleanup
Perhaps your schedule will allow you to help with one of these.

The Tioga and Mansfield Food Pantries need our continuing help. They are asking churches for their financial assistance, as well as donations of food.
They are seeking donations of spaghetti and macaroni, tuna, cereal, canned meats, any kind of non-perishable food. There are boxes in back of the churches for your donations.
The Mansfield Food Pantry is open each Wednesday from 9:30 AM until noon. It is located on Lambs Creek Road, just past Kingdom, Inc.
The Tioga Food Pantry is open on the third Saturday of each month from 9 am until 10 AM.
It is located at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. Financial donations can be directed to Gene Haley, 835-0201, or Barbara Critcher, 835-5677. These persons can also be contacted to provide assistance for those in need in the Tioga/ Lawrenceville area.
There are an ever-increasing number of people who are coming to the Food Pantry for assistance once a month where they receive about a 3-day supply of food. Any donation that you can make will be gratefully accepted.
   If each parish family brought just one can of soup or tuna or spaghetti sauce for the food pantry each week, several hundred families could be helped by this simple act of generosity. There are boxes in back of the churches for your donations.
There is an ever increasing number of people who are coming in the pantry for assistance once a month where they receive about a 3-day supply of food. Any donations you make will be gratefully accepted.

From Holy Child's Health Ministry Committee: Members
of a local group are providing lap quilts for patients undergoing
chemotherapy or kidney dialysis.
If you or anyone you know could use one of these, drop a note into the collection basket or contact Dotty Welsh, 662-2057.

Crafty Folks…Warm Your Heart!
Health Ministry is collecting hand-made baby items to donate to needy new moms. There's a box in the vestibule of Holy Child Church for these, or you can call Dotty Welsh at 662-2057.