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February 22nd – Saint Catharine's and Saint Mary’s Ash Wednesday Mass Schedule:
7:15 AM - St. Cathrine's
8:00 AM - St. Mary's
12:00 Noon - St. Cathrine's
6:30 PM - St. Cathrine's

Ashes that are blessed and distributed on Ash Wednesday are processed by burning the palm distributed on
Palm Sunday last year and displayed in homes throughout the year. We invite you to bring any palm you may
have in your home to Church and deposit it in the containers marked Palm located in the Church vestibule and
Chapel on Ash Wednesday.

Our Lenten Obligation
Church law considers every Friday and the season of Lent as penitential days and times. The practice of penance
is part of our faith and Christian life. When we do penance, we imitate Jesus, who himself recommended it as
necessary to His Followers, and gave them the example of His prayer and fasting. The Lenten obligation, as
determined for Catholics in the United States by our bishops, requires that fasting be observed on Ash Wednesday
and Good Friday. The law of abstinence is to be observed on Ash Wednesday and all the Fridays of Lent.
Who must fast? - All Catholics who are between the ages of 18 and 59. The obligation ceases when one begins
his/her 60th year on his/her 59th birthday.
Who must abstain? - All Catholics who are 14 years and older. What does fasting mean? - The observance of
fasting means that those obliged may take only one full meal on the day of the fast. Two lighter meals (not equal
to another full meal) may be taken to maintain strength according to one’s needs.
What does abstinence mean? - The law of abstinence forbids the eating of meat. Voluntary abstinence refers
to refraining from lawful pleasures in a spirit of penance. Can anyone be dispensed or excused from fast and/ or
abstinence? - Individuals for a just cause may be dispensed by their pastor or by a priest with the faculty to do so.
In our Diocese all priests may dispense individuals who are committed to their pastoral care. Those who are ill
or have a similar serious reason are excused from the observance of fast and abstinence. Catholics are reminded
that they should not lightly excuse themselves from this obligation.
Are there other obligations which we should fulfill? - Catholics are obliged to fulfill what has been called their
Easter Duty. They are required to receive Holy Communion during Easter time. In the United States this obligation
can be fulfilled from the First Sunday of Lent until Trinity Sunday (March 26th to June 4th). Those conscious of
serious sin are reminded of the obligation to confess their sins once a year. Catholics are encouraged to make
Lent a time of more intense prayer and to practice almsgiving and other works of charity.

Confession Schedule at St. Mary's: 2:45 - 3:15 PM on Saturdays. Confessions will also be heard from
7:00 - 8:00 PM in the Chapel on Perkiomen Avenue. Otherwise by appointment at the Parish Center.

Daily Mass: Monday - Friday, Mass is at 7:15 AM in the Chapel. Saturday Daily Mass is at 8:00 AM.

Eucharistic Adoration following Monday's 7:15 Mass till 8:00 PM.

Father Miller’s Bible Study on the book of Exodus resumes February 21st at 6:30 PM in the Church. No book
required. It will also be live streamed.

Parish Center Office: The normal office hours are Monday - Thursday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM;
Friday, 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM.

Pray the Rosary in the Chapel on Thursday mornings at 6:45 AM and on Saturday mornings at 7:30 AM.

Sunday Missals for 2023 are available at the Church on Rt.562 or at the Parish Center for $4.00\each.

Pan Z Wami: 2023 Polish Missals are available at St. Catharine’s Rectory. The cost is $15.00/book.

Sanctuary Candle Memorials for the Week of January 15th:
St. Catharine’s Chapel - Poor Souls in Purgatory
St. Catharine’s Church - Deceased Members of the Kompa Family
St. Mary’s Church - Deceased Members of the Parish

The Lenten Pierogi Society will begin making pierogis Monday and Tuesday January 30th and 31st from
9:00 AM to 12:00 noon. They will continue to meet each Monday and Tuesday through Lent until March 28th.
Pierogis will be made in the kitchen under the Church. Please use parking lot Chapel entrance. New members
are always welcome.

Pierogi Sale! Pierogi will be on sale every Friday in Lent through and including March 31 from 9:00 AM to
1:00 PM. Pierogis will be sold in the Church basement. Please use the side entrance from the parking lot.
Potato, sauerkraut, and cheese pierogis will sell for $9.00/dozen. Haluski will be available in limited amounts
for $4.00/cup. (weather permitting). Volunteers are needed to help sell pierogis on Fridays.

Second Collection – Almsgiving: When you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is
doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret.” (Ash Wednesday’s Reading) - During the Season of Lent,
there will be a second collection each weekend for special needs :
February 26th - Black and Indian Missions;
March 5th, Clare of Assisi;
March 12th - St. Francis Home;
March 19th - Catholic Charities;
March 26th - Earthquake Relief for Turkey and Syria;
April 2nd - Rice Bowl.
Please be generous during this season of almsgiving.

TAX STATEMENTS: If you would like a copy of your giving record for tax purposes, please fill out the
form below and place it in the collection basket. If you would like your statement sent to you by email,
please print email address clearly on this form. You can email your request anytime at dsitler@comcast.net.
If you do not have a computer, we can mail you a copy of your statement. Statements will be not be ready
until the week of the 23rd of January.
Name:   _____________________________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________________

Phone: ________________________________

Email   ______________________________________________________________________

If you have any questions, please call Diane Sitler at 610-779-4005 .

To Add Someone to Our Prayer List call the Parish Center at 601-779-4005 or email them to Diane Sitler at dsitler@comcast.net.

If you are sick, hospitalized, in a rehabilitation facility, or confined to your home, call the Parish Center at
610-779-4005.

To Receive text messages concerning weather cancellations for parish liturgical services, Masses, and other
events text @9h4ac9 to 81010.

Father Stajkowski is back in Reading at the Celebration Villa of Exeter (formerly Elmcroft), 9 Colin Court,
Reading, PA, 19606, 610 370 2211.

SCS Endowment: Please consider contributing to our SCS Endowment Fund – an investment in our future and
an affirmation of our many success stories. For more information regarding our endowment fund, please consider contributing at go.dojiggy.io/scsendowment/Campaign/Details. To learn more visit
www.scsreadingschool.org/scs-endowment-fund.html.

The Parish Religious Education Program is open to all students in grades 1 – 8. All levels will meet in person
on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 – 8:00 PM. Registration forms are available in the back of church or online at www.scsyouth.weebly.com. We are in need of volunteers to help teach or aide PREP classes. All materials and
training will be provided.

The Saint Catharine of Siena School Advisory Board is looking for parishioners (21 and older) willing to serve
a 3 year term beginning in May 2023. If you are looking for a way to give back and are passionate about Catholic
Education, we encourage you to apply. Please email Mrs. Marcella Kraycik (mkraycik@scsreading.org) for an
application. Questions aboutthis ministry? Email Mrs. Julianne Smith (juliannejs@gmail.com).

The Polish American Heritage Association of Berks County is accepting memberships for 2023. Part of our
mission is to promote and to share public awareness and appreciation of our Polish heritage through cultural,
educational and social activities. If interested , please contact Marilyn Wlazewski, President, at 610-779-5523.

The Commemorating St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Parish, Reading, PA, 1888 – 2016 books are on sale for
$15.90 which includes the sales tax. If you require shipping, the shipping and handling is $3.60 for one or more
copies. If you contact me for copies and attend Mass at St. Mary's, you can pick them up after the 10:30 Mass
in the vestibule. If you usually go to the 3:30 PM Mass, let me know and I will deliver it after that Mass. Cash and
checks only; no credit or debit cards. If you want a copy of the book, contact Carl Gethmann at
carlgethmann@comcast.net, call 610-374-9215, or write to me at 514 Heine St., Reading, PA 19606-1811.

February Necrology: 2/10 Louis A. Stachowicz (1960); 23/15 Henry J. Krzesinski (1970); 2/20 John S. Pytko (1948);
2/24 John Z. Basinski (1984).
Please keep these faithful servants in your prayers.

Prayer Requests for Priests:
Monday 2/20                  Rev. Eugene P. Ritz
Tuesday 2/21                 Rev. Philip F. Rodgers
Wednesday 2/22            Rev. Juan E. Rodriguez
Thursday 2/23                Rev. Paul L. Rothermel
Friday 2/24                     Rev. Msgr. Edward R. Sacks
Saturday 2/25                Rev. Msgr. Walter T. Scheaffer

The Senior High Youth Group is on INSTAGRAM. Follow us at youth_of_scs to see all the exciting events as
well as our prayers for you!

The Polish American Cultural Center, Room 509,at the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, 201 Washington St.,
Reading, has an exhibit of Polish folk costumes on display from now until mid-November. We are open weekends
from Noon - 4:00 PM.

When You Schedule Meetings and Events for your parish group or organization, please email your schedule
to dsitler@comcast.net for placement on our calendar and inclusion in the weekly bulletin. Along with the dates
of your meeting or event, please include the time and location so that we can make sure there are no scheduling
conflicts.

Feed the Priests: This ministry allows you to provide a complete evening meal on Mondays, Tuesday, and
Wednesdays delivered to the Parish Center by 4:00 PM. The meal should consist of a meal for three priests;
be a fully cooked ready-to-eat meal; delivered in a disposable container; and include heating instructions if
required. The meal should include a salad, meat, starch, vegetable, and possibly a dessert. If you wish to
provide a meal, call Diane Sitler at 610-779-4005. Thank you for all you do for our parish and priests.

If You are Shut In and need assistance getting groceries/supplies during this COVID-19 outbreak, please
call the the Parish Center at 610-779-4005 and leave your name and phone number. A number of people
have offered their service to help those in need.

For Those Who Are Grieving, St. Cartharine's has a support group that meets two Mondays a month at
7:00 PM in St. Catharine's Church in Mt. Penn. To register, call 610-370-1174.

Catholic Charities needs donations to fulfill the requests they receive from the people in need of help. Please
consider taking an envelope from our Angel Tree and sending in your contribution. The information is inside
the already addressed envelope. God bless you for sharing and making their holidays a bit brighter.

Bless The Space is the follow-up group for all who made a commitment to our Life After Loss classes in previous
years. “All good things,” they say, “have to end.” But it isn’t true. In fact, the very best things never end and are
blessings that last forever. We continue to look to Christ to be led, fed, protected, healed, and taught. Email judyacameron@comcast.net for information.

To access Formed go to signup.formed.org, zip code is 19606. All you need is your email; it is free no need for credit
card. Pulling together the best in Catholic movies, children’s programming, audio dramas, and books, we provide a
trusted and engaging entertainment alternative in support of a Catholic lifestyle. .Bible studies, documentaries, books,
and audio talks from leading Catholic experts will help you grow in understanding your faith.

Cooks With Collars: starting January 20! Fr. Miller needs your help! Fr. Miller will represent St. Catharine and
St. Mary’s in Cooks with Collars, an online cooking competition to raise funds for parishes and Catholic Charities
in the Diocese of Allentown. Visit www.cookswithcollars.com to see Fr. Miller and your other favorite priests from
around the Diocese creating delicious kitchen concoctions. Vote early and and often! (deadline February 20) for
our Diocesan top chef!   All voting proceeds benefit our parish. Thanks for making Fr. Miller and St. Catharine and
St. Mary’s a winner.

Office Staff Assistant – Part Time - Our Lady’s Missionaries of the Eucharist, 640 E. Main St., Birdsboro, PA 19508. Olme@olme.org 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Totaling about 15 -20 hours/week. Assists staff in preparation for events, retreats, post event data as requested, and general office duties. Must be proficient in Microsoft
Office. Possesses a working knowledge of the Catholic Church and it's internal structure for the purpose of communicating accurately with Our Lady's Missionaries of the Eucharist Members and the general public. Please email resumes.

Rachel’s Vineyard Retreat: An intimated spiritual journey for anyone seeking healing after abortion. In a safe,
supportive, non-judgmental environment you can focus on this painful time in your life and enter into the process
of healing. Through scripture readings, guided meditations and activities flowing from the meditations, you can
experience God’s compassion and forgiveness. For registration information contact: Carol Swavely, MA,
1-866-3RACHEL (Toll Free) or 610-435-1541, ext. 373. You may also email Carol at carolswavely@ptd.net.
The retreat will be held February 10, 11, and 12, 2023. Deadline for Registration is February 3, 2023.

Kennedy House: Want to volunteer and help those struggling? It is St. Catharine's turn to again run the Kennedy
House in Reading. We would love to have you come and help out either Saturday, February 18th and or Sunday,
February 19th or both days! Times are from 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM each day. Please call, text, or email if you can
help - Sara Miller 484-459-0270 or sk1699@hotmail.com. Hope to see you there. Also if you are unable to help
but would be willing to donate food or other supplies we would need, please contact me as well.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0848ACA823A4FA7-kennedy5.

Are you considering a job change? Join us for a special Joseph’s People 6-session virtual series that starts
on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 running through March 14, 2023.
The remaining sessions are:
February 21: How to Use Social Media - Jasmine Omorogbe
February 28: Developing a Stellar Resume - Sue Kaiden
March 7: Networking in a Post-Covid World - Amy Dinning
March 14: Ace the Interview - Alan DeBack
To register, click on https://lnkd.in/ehMXh6VN.
For help with registering, please call the helpline at 610-873-7117.

Father Miller’s Bible Study on the book of Exodus will resume, February 21st, at 6:30 PM in the Church. No
book is required. It will also be live streamed.

Lenten Fish Frys and Crab Cake Dinners: The Knights pf Columbus will host LENTEN FISH FRYs at the Social
Hall from 5:00 - 7:00 PM on Friday, February 24th, (JAZZ NIGHT enjoy listening to some Jazz while you enjoy
your meal), followed by Fish Frys on March 24th and 31st. Due to significant price increases for fish, ingredients
and all supplies used, we must raise our prices this year to $18/meal. We will be providing the exact same
products for the meal you have become accustomed to. To better control costs, we require that you pre-order
for the Friday meals. Because we are purchasing product based on orders to limit costs and to maintain fresh
product, there will be 0very little to no availability for walk-in patrons this year.

CRAB CAKE DINNER – Father Miller and the Knights will be hosting a Crab Cake dinner on Friday, March 10th.
From 5:00 - 7:00 PM. The $20 meal will include crab cakes, stewed tomatoes, mac and cheese, coleslaw, rolls,
a dessert, and drinks (beer and wine available for a small contribution if you so choose). The profit from this event
will be used to help offset some of the cost for Church projects. This event is a pre-order only event as discussed
above.

PAYMENT is expected at the entrance of the event being attended.

TO PLACE AN ORDER for eat in or take out, contact the following:
Tom Goerner at (484) 288-0174 or email: tcantiquers@verizon.net
Tom Trainer at (484) 333-4312 or email at ThomasA.Trainer@gmail.com
Email the Knights: kofc14880@gmail.com
You can also use the QR code in the Bulletin.

The Youth Retreat will be held February 24-26, 2023. Look for more information in January.

Come With A Grateful Heart Sr. High Youth Retreat, February 24-26, Camp Manatawny. Join us for Youth
Fellowship, Food, Music, Games, and Prayer. Permission slips available at www.scsyouth.weebly.com.

Men's Morning Lenten Reflection, Men Alive in Christ, February 25, 8:00 AM - 12 Noon, St. Ignatius Loyola
Church, Reading, PA. For more information, go to www.MenAliveInChrist.org.

The Knights of Columbus will host a Fraternal Benefits night at St. Catharine of Siena parish (4975 Boyertown
Pike, Reading PA 19606) on March 1st. The seminar will be held from 77:00 - 8:00 PM. Light refreshments will
be offered. Open to anyone including current Knights, their families, and anyone who wishes to learn what benefits
the Knights have to offer:
- Recent changes to IRA’s and the SECURE ACT
- Long Term Care and Estate Planning
- Possible Ways to avoid inheritance tax
- Charitable gifting
RSVP by Sunday, Feb 26th to Thomas McKeon 484-343 -8711 or Thomas.McKeon@KofC.Org.

St. Paul's 5th Annual Gala, Sunday, March 5, St. Catharine of Siena Parish Social Hall, Rte. 562. The
Featured Speaker is Most Rev. Ronald W. Gainer, Bishop of Harrisburg.   A Celebration of Service honoring
Msgr. John Grabish, Rev. Josph Ganser, Rev. John Anthony Hutta, and Rev. Quyet Pham. Ticket $50/each.
The evening begins at 5:00 PM with a cash bar and a social hour. A hot buffet dinner will begin at 6:00 PM.
To purchase a ticket, call the rectory at 610-372-1531.

AVCP Antietam Valley Community Partnership: 10th Annual Community Dinner. Proceeds form this event
provide partial scholarships to six local high school seniors form Antietam, Exeter, and Berks Catholic. When:
Sunday March 5th; 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM. , Antietam High School.   Chili, Golumpki, or Kielbasa/Haluski
dinners $13 each. Family size dinners (feeds 4) $45 each. Please contact Larry for tickets at 610 779 6973.

Starting the week of March 15, we will have our semi-annual grave clean-off at Gethsemane and St. Mary's
Cemeteries. If you have any items on gravesites you wish to keep, please visit the Cemetery to retrieve the
items prior to the week of March 15.

Mary’s Shelter Bowl-A-Thon will be held at: Berks Lanes, 3190 Shillington Road, Sinking Spring, PA 19608.
Date: Sunday, March 19, 2023. There will be only (1) one session – starting at 3:00 PM to 5:00PM.   40 lanes
will be available. You can register online at www.marysshelter.org or email Amy at amy@marysshlter.org for
additional information.

Scholarships: On Sunday, May 21, 2023, the Polish American Board of Education of Berks County will be
awarding $17,000 in scholarships to Berks County High School seniors of Polish American descent. Deadline
for submitting the form for this scholarship is April 1, 2023. In conjunction with the PABEBC scholarship
awards program, the Polish American Heritage Association of Berks County is awarding a $2,500 project
scholarship to a Berks County high school student of Polish American descent. For this scholarship, the
student is required to submit a project on Polish history, culture, and/or traditions. Projects are due on
Sunday March 19, 2023. Applicants for the scholarships can obtain application forms and guidelines in
the office of the Guidance Counselor in all Berks County high schools. They are also available in the Polish
American Cultural Center in the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, 201 Washington St., Reading, and they
can be downloaded from the PABEBC website at www.pabeberks.org or by contacting Sandy Lubas-Hummel,
Scholarship Chair for both organizations at 610-207-7065. Any questions? Telephone Sandy Lubas-Hummel.

Valerie (Farrell) Wertman is a long time parishioner. Seventh Annual “Sean Wertman Memorial 3 vs.
Basketball Tournament” on Sunday, March 19, 2023. Please help to end addiction “One Basket” at a time...
while having fun and displaying good sportsmanship! Where: Exeter Senior High School gyms for boys
and girls in 3rd, 4th , 5th and 6th grades. The purpose is to increase awareness of over the counter
medicine abuse and a fundraiser for Adult\Teen Challenge Rehab. $80 per team entrance fee. For sign
ups and more info call or text Roger or Valerie Wertman at 610-779-8943. You can also leave a voicemail,
or rogerwertman@yahoo.com, or on Facebook - (Sean Wertman Memorial BB Tournament. Forms and
details can be found on Facebook. Venmo accepted!   Please help this important cause. Team sponsors
and donations are appreciated!

St. Catharine’s of Siena is holding a blood drive on Sunday, March 26. Please call Dave Gibney at
1-484-332-1624, or schedule online at https://donor.giveapint.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/85668.
Anyone who is in good health, is 16 years of age or older, and weighs 110 pounds or more, may donate
whole blood every 56 days. (16-year old donors require parental consent). Did you know: 40% of the US
population is eligible to donate – but only 5% do on a yearly basis. Statistics show that 25% or more of
us will require blood at least once in our lifetime. Every 2 seconds, someone in the US requires a blood
transfusion. It only takes about 45 minutes of your time to save a life. Miller-Keystone Blood Center
needs to see approximately 450 donors every day to supply the 27 hospitals served by the blood center.

Loved into New Life - Six-day Retreat - June 18 to June 24 – Arrival Time: 3-4:30 PM. This is a guided retreat
based on a 12 Step Spirituality theme. It will include times for conferences, sharing, and quiet reflection. Sr. Christa
Mary Jonesand CPS. Sr. Margaret Conlon, SC will guide you as you explore and reflect on the 12 Step Spirituality
in the challenging realities of daily living. To register, call Mariawald Renewal Center at 610-777-0135 or email mariawaldcenter@gmail.com. Register before 6/10/2023. Cost: $550.00 Mariawald Renewal Center, 1094 Welsh
Road, Reading PA 19607.

Parish Resources: To view a listing of the parish resources, their contacts, and their emails addresses (as
applicable), go to www.scsreading.org/scsparish/wp/contacts-resources/.