Parish Activities

From the Pastor's Desk...
Click here to read Father Jacek's Message of the Week!

If you would like to sponsor the sanctuary light next to the tabernacle at Holy Child or St. Mary's Church in memory of a loved one, please call the rectory office. The donation for this is $5 per week.

The Sanctuary Light at Holy Child this week is burning in memory of deceased members of the Mizdail Family

The Sanctuary Light at St. Mary's this week is burning in memory of Ethel Gyselinck by Florrie Dove

The flowers on the altar at Holy Child Church this weekend were donated by Warren and Bernadine Waltz, in honor of their 60th Wedding Anniversary on September 4th

Religious Education Classes resume on Sunday, September 7
Parents/ guardians of all students grades 1 through Confirmation Class are asked to report to Holy Child Hall at 10 AM. Students should accompany their parents. Teachers will be introduced and the students and teachers will proceed to their respective classrooms. Parents will the complete registration forms and hear a presentation from Jennifer Minnich, PREP Coordinator and Fr. Jacek
There will be a brief teachers' meeting in Holy Child Hall immediately after the 11:15 AM Mass on Sunday, September 7

This Friday, September 5th is First Friday
Mass will be at Holy Child Church at 6 PM, followed by Holy Hour and the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament from 6:30, closing with the Benedictionof the Blessed Sacraments at 7:30 PM. WHy not start a family practice of thsi special Mass and adoration on the First Friday of each month.

The Video Program on the Catechism on the Catholic and the Adult Bible Study Class will both resume the week of September 22
The Catechism class with videos featuring Father John Corapi, seen on EWTM, will meet at 10:40 AM on Mondays. The Bible Study Class will be at 9:15 AM on Thursdays,. Both will be in Holy Child Hall. All are welcome to attend.

There will be a brief teachers' meeting in Holy Child Hall immediately after the 11:15 AM Mass on Sunday, September 7

Up and Over Weekend: Youth Retreat for 7th and 8th Graders
September 19-21, 2008 at Fatima Renewal Center
The theme of the weekend is teamwork and recognizing the gifts which God has gifted you. Built into the weekend are a number of fun activities and events. There will be Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation, a movie buffet meals and your own private room. Cost is $100 which includes $25 non-refundable deposit. Deadline to register is September 9. Call 563-8500 or register online at www.dioceseofscranton.org

Diocesan Sponsored PFI Clases in our area:
301 Sacraments in General will be held at St. Peter's in Wellsboro from September 10 to November 12 (Wednesdays) from 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM. Instructor is Rev. James Dougher

201 Fundemental Teachings of the Church will be offered in Williamsport on Tuesdays and in Towanda on Wednesdays, both offered in late afternoon. Instructor: Mr. Paul Ward
These courses are for Catholic School Teachers. catechists, coordinators, or those seeking personal enrichment. Cost is $150.00 for credit and $60 to audit. Call 570-207-2213 Ext 1107 to register or email sister-leonita-duhoski@dioceseofscranton.org

From Courtney Hull, Catholic Campus Minister at Mansfield University
Parishioners from Holy Child are invited to participate in "Meet the churches of Mansfield" helping MU students find a church away from home. Gather at Room 307 in Alumni Hall Student Center on Sunday, September 7th from 6 - 8 PM to meet and welcome students. Refreshments will be served. Questions? Call 662-4431.

MU Knights of Columbus wil meet Sunday, September 7 at 6:30 PM in Holy Child Hall (note change in location)
Robert Lucas, insurance agent for Knights of Columbus will be at this meeting.

Bible Archaeology Club
Biblical Archaeology is the scientific study of remains and records relating to the Jewish and Christian religions specifically the Bible. Until modern exploration began in the 19th Century, the only other accounts were provided from the Christian Pilgrimage iin the 4th Century. A Bible Archaeology Club is being started at Holy Child. Everyone is invited. Meetings will be the second Sunday of each month at 2 PM in Holy Child Hall. Participants will watch videos and DVDs purchased from the History Channel and other sources. Discussion will follow. These historical findings completely support everything we read in the Scriptures. Wouldn't you like to see the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia or the ancient "towpath of Corinth?" Learn to what lengths the early Christians went to worship. The first meeting will be September 14, 2008.

Tickets will be available for sale in the new future! These lottery tickets make great Christmas gifts! Watch the bulletin for the beginning sale date and get yours!
Fundraiser winners will be paid based on the PA Daily Lottery numbers (7 PM) From January through March 2009. There will be 64 winners of $50, 13 winners of $200, 10 winners of $250 an 3 lucky winners will receive $1000.
We need parishioners to serve on the committee to organize and implement this new fundraiser. Many hands will make light work for all. Winners will be posted in the bulletin each week and be paid weekly.
Please come to the meeting Monday, August 25th at 7 PM in Holy Child Hall|

Parish Health Ministry Committee meeting Tuesday, September 2nd 1t 9:15 AM in the vestibule of Holy Child Church

The VIRTUS: protecting God's Children for Adults Program
Saturday, September 27 at 9:30 AM in St. Peter's in Wellsboro
is a mandatory 3-hour training session for all employees and volunteers who work with children throughout the Diocese of Scranton. This training session focuses on ways to make and maintain a safe envoronment for all children. All those attending the training will learn to recognize the warning signs of sexual abuse and respond appropriately. A VIRTUS training session is scheduled for our parish community on Saturday, September 27, 2008 at St. Peter's in Wellsboro from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM. All employees and adult volunteers who work with children are required to attend this training session. Call St. Peter's to register 724-3371

Confirmation Retreat Saturday, September 20 9AM -5 PM
Parents and confirmation students are reminded that this is a mandatory retreat. Please mark your calenars now to reserve this date.
Father Brian Van Fossen will conduct the retreat which will inclue the Sacrament of Reconcilation and Mass at 4 PM. Bishop Martino will be here to confer the Sacrament of Confirmation on our candidates on Monday, September 29th. Mass will be at 5 PM. Reminder to Confirmation Students to be reviewing your questions.

Bingo Workers for September 6: Jean Leiboff, Linda Doud, Sara Williammee

Kitchen Workers for September 6: Joe Welsh, Dick Lynch

Collection Counters September 7th: Dick Colegrove and Francis Murphy

2008 Christmas Show at Radio City Music Hall - SOLD OUT

Trips to Finger Lakes Race Track and Casino
Tuesday, September 9 $35.00
Tuesday, October 28 $35.00
Includes $10 slot bonus an 25% food purchases. Enjoy a day of slot gaming and thoroughbred horse racing. For information and reservations call the parish office or Jean Leiboff at 662-3817

Have you returned your Census form? There are many who have not
All diocesan parishes are undergoing changes. Your cooperation and a minimal amount of time necessary to complete this form will give us a better concept of the makeup and needs of our parish. Please complete and return yours. Sincere thanks to those who have already updated their Census information. We appreciate you!

Gardeners...we invite you to share your flowers with the parish for the altar
Call Martha Donahue at 662-2041 for more information.

We are planning for our 2008 Christmas Craft Fair and Gift Show, Saturday, November 1st at Miller School
If you are:
1. A Crafter an would like a booth at the Craft Fair- Please call Florrie Dove at 835-4348 for an application

2. We are preparing the ticket for the Ladies Guild annual Craft Fair Raffle. If any parishioner or business would like to donate a prize for the raffle ticket, please call the parish rectory or Patty Hutcheson at 662-2034, before August 31st

RCIA will begin in September
This is the process through which adults are fully initiated into the Catholic Faith Community
If you are:
* An unbaptized person
* Baptized as a Catholic, but were never confirmd or received Holy Communion
* Non-Catholic and interested in knowing about Catholicism
Then the RCIA process might be for you. It begins with a period of inquiry. This is a time for deciding whether the process of initiation into the Church is really what one wants. RCIA culminates with the reception of sacraments at the Easter Vigil. If you are interested, please call the parish office.

Confirmation Students: Reminder Confirmation will be at 5 PM on Monday, September 29th 2008
Is your sponsor aware of this date? Are you reviewing your questions? The date for the mandatory retreat will be announced next weekend.

Can you help? Commander Matthew Welsh, USN, son of Joe and Dotty Welsh of our parish, is currently serving in Dijibouti, on the horn of Africa
One of his men who serves alone at a remote site, Petty Officer Palmer, is trying to help St. Jude's Orphanage in Gulu, Uganda, located near his station. They are in need of the following: toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, single sized bedsheets, light blankets, and clothing for infants and toddlers. The temperature range is 60 to 80, so the clothing should be lightweight, and used items are most welcome. Donations may be left in the box in back of Holy Child Church or directed to the Welshes, 662-2057. Monetary donations are also appreciated.

Offertory Procession...We would like members of our parish families to participate in the offertory procession at weekend Masses
Especially if you have requested the intention for that Mass.
We invite you to tell one of the ushers before the Mass that you would like to present the gifts. (You can call the parish office during the week and leave a message with Linda if you like.)
We have asked our ushers to encourage parishioners to bring up the gifts at Mass. If the ushers ask you and your family to bring up the gifts, we hope you answer in the affirmative.

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
We need at least 3 people each monthL June 20, July 28 and August 15. If you would like to participate or need information, call Dick Lynch at 662-2782.

We are looking for persons who would like to serve on our Art and Environment Committee
Environment and Art is the term now used to describe the activities that were performed by the Altar Society in years past. We need an Environment and Art Committee in Holy Child Parish to plan, execute, and maintain the background for the liturgy. This includes decorating for feasts.If you would like to serve on this committe, please contact Martha Donahue at 663-2041 or mdonahue@epix.net

Bingo
Several times each year, the parish bulletin has requests for volunteers at our weekly Bingo Games. Have you ever considered volunteering to help at Bingo? We are in the process of doing a schedule which will run from February through July of 2008. We ask that you volunteer your time one Saturday a month or every 6 weeks. Bingo raises over $20,000 a year. However, the games cannot run themselves. We need workers.

Please consider giving it a try. You can call the parish office, email the parish office, or call David Post at 607-742-9063.

Kitchen at Bingo
We need one or two adults or an adult and teen to help in the kitchen at Bingo on the third Sunday of each month. Jen Minnich is currently doing this but needs help on a regular basis. Are there teens who need community service and adults who want to help the parish raise money. You would help from 5 PM until 8:30 PM one night a month.
Call the rectory office or Jen Minnich 549-3079, for more information or to volunteer your help.

Readers, Servers, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist...
Please pick up your schedules this weekend. They are on the table in back of the church. Also, please secure a substitute if you cannot serve as scheduled. Please not that the next schedule will be made soon. Please return the forms which accompanied your last schedule and indicate any dates that are not good for you.

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.

2008 Christmas Show at Radio City Music Hall-SOLD OUT
Thanks!

The Sacrament of Confirmation will be conferred on our Students Monday, September 29, 2008
We ask our parents, students and sponsors to record this date on their calendars now.

Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Confessions are heard on Saturdays at 3:30 PM at Holy Child and 6:15 PM at St. Mary's. Confessions will also be heard each Tuesday in March following the Road to Resurrection Masses in deanery churches. For other times, please contact Father Leonard at the rectory office

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!

Parish Youth

If you would like to sponsor the candle by the tabernacle in either church in memory of a loved one, call the Parish Office.

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.

Mass Schedule
Saturday: 4 PM Holy Child; 6:30 PM St. Mary's
Sunday: 9 AM Holy Child; 11:15 AM Holy Child
Daily: As scheduled. Check this week at Holy Child Page for mass times and intentions for this week!
Holy days: As scheduled. Check weekly bulletin or call the Rectory!

Reconciliation
Saturday: 3:30 pm at Holy Child - 6:15 at Saint Mary's
And anytime on request

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.

Becoming a Catholic

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!

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 Dotty Welsh, 662-2057, 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 Dotty Welsh at 662-2057.

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 Dotty Welsh at 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.

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 Membership
* Are you regularly attended Mass at Holy Child or St. Mary's in Tioga
* Are you a Catholic living in Mansfield, Mainesburg, Roseville in Tioga
* Are you registered parishioners
If not, your might consider joining the parish. If so, please call the parish office, 662-3568, and we'll get a census form for you.
If you or your family members wish to participate in the sacramental program (First Communion, Confirmation) or if you wish to be married in our churches, you must first be registered members. Also, if you want to be a sponsor for Baptism, Confirmation, etc., you must be a registered member.
Adult children living atg home should fill out their own Census forms.

Got a sweet tooth? Want to support our youth group? They have purchased a large selection of candy bars which they are selling at 3 bars for $1.00 Choose from full-size Almond Joy, Hershey Milk Chocolate, Hershey with Almonds, Reese's Cups, Kit Kat, Rollo, Fast Break, Take 5 and York Peppermint Patties. If you would like the youth group to prepare your purchase for your pickup on Saturday or Sunday, call David Post at 607-742-9063, or email the Parish Office. Give us your name, number and kinds of candy you want. We will have it ready for you to pick up in back of the church on the weekend.

Do you feel your finances limit your donations to the parish? Why not offer to help at BINGO? We are looking for adults to help at our weekly Bingo games (once every 4 or 6 weeks). Bingo is a major fundraiser for our parish and we are in need of workers. Call the Parish Office for more information, or David Post at 607-742-9063.

Holy Child Parish sends volunteers to St. Anthony's Soup Kitchen in Williamsport on the third Friday of each month.
The carpool leaves Holy Child parking lot at 8:30 AM and returns around 3 PM. More volunteers are needed. For more information, or to volunteer, 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 Critch