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PENTECOST SUNDAY 5/31/2020

5/29/2020

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Dear Friends in Christ,

Happy Pentecost! Pentecost is the Church's Birthday, and it is a time of re-birth for our parish.
We have lived through a difficult and uncertain time in the last couple of months, but I think finally, we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Lancaster County will move into the YELLOW PHASE of government reopening of Pennsylvania on June 4, 2020. In accord with Diocesan directives, our parish will SLOWLY transition to opening again, beginning with the weekend masses on June 6th and 7th, the Solemnity of the MOST HOLY TRINITY, the central mystery of our Christian Faith. I cannot express in words how much I look forward to seeing you all again; I have missed you greatly! I must be candid with you; it is the most trying time of my priesthood celebrating Mass before empty pews. I miss all your lovely faces and responses at Mass. I can assume the feelings are mutual, you too cannot wait to worship with your fellow parishioners in your beloved St. Peter Church.

During the YELLOW PHASE, St. Peter will once again celebrate public Sunday Masses as follows:
Sunday: 8:30 a.m. (Parish Hall) and 10:30 a.m. (Church)
Bishop Gainer's dispensation from attending Sunday Mass continues to hold. We will continue to Live-Stream the Sunday Mass. I recommend not to attend Mass if you:
*are sick in any way or have a compromised immune system
*have lung or breathing problems
*have neurological' neuro-development conditions (e.g., cerebral palsy, stroke, etc.)
*have any other risk factor for developing a more severe case of COVID-19.
I also urge parents to consider carefully whether your children should attend Mass at this time. Children are more likely to be asymptomatic carriers of the virus; they are likely to make frequent use of bathrooms; they would probably have more difficulty wearing masks for a sustained period and maintaining social distancing. If they have to be at Mass, you have the RESPONSIBILITY of keeping them safe.
All who are attending Mass are required to wear MASKS at all times except when receiving Holy Communion. To allow for better ventilation and sanitation, we will be celebrating 8:30 a.m. Mass in the Parish Hall and the 10:30 a.m. Mass in the Main Church. This arrangement or option gives us a better opportunity to attain our goal of maintaining social distancing and adequate sanitation. Before the celebration of Public Masses, we will get a professional cleaning company to disinfect and clean our Church pews, floor, wall, doors, and bathrooms.  To further achieve this goal, we have marked and partitioned the Church and Hall space to allow for proper physical distancing. Your Mass experience will be different during this time. Please bear with us.
 
Doors will open half an hour before Mass starts. At this point, we can only seat 0ne-third at Mass per state and Diocesan directives. As a result, seating will be by reservation at this time. Please call the parish office (717-367-1255) from Monday-Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m to make a seat reservation. You can also make a reservation by email with a Thursday at 2:00 p.m. deadline. If needed, we will have sits arranged in the Narthex area for Mass in the main Church and the lobby leading to the Parish Hall for Mass holding there. When walking to the Church or the Parish Hall, follow any signs, tape, and direction provided by USHERS. It is essential to follow Ushers' instruction for seating order. Ushers will seat you according to distancing directives. You will NOT be permitted to sit wherever you prefer. There will be signs to indicate pews that will remain VACANT, and NO ONE will be allowed in those pews. Families are expected to sit together in the same pew while SINGLE or COUPLE will be directed to places designated for them.
NOTE: Members of the clergy are NOT to wear masks or gloves during Mass. The sign of peace during Mass continues to be omitted. There will be a COLLECTION BOX at the entrance. You are welcome to drop your weekend offerings (first and second collection) BEFORE the start of Mass. There will be NO collection taken up during the Mass. You can mail your offering, drop it off at the parish during business hours, or send it ONLINE. THANK YOU for your offerings during this time of the pandemic.

At the Diocesan recommendations, we will be distributing Holy Communion after Mass to minimize the movement of people during Mass and to create opportunities for adequate sanitation. After the dismissal, the priest will wear a face mask, get the ciborium, and go to a location in the Narthex where will distribute Communion. Do not leave your row until instructed by ushers to do so. Once in the designated area for reception of Communion, use hand sanitizer and maintain six feet of distance between you and others. The communicant receives while still wearing his or her mask, then moves away, lowers the mask, and consume the Host. I recommend you receive Holy Communion in hand at this time. After receiving Communion, we ask that you proceed to your vehicle immediately and refrain from congregating in the parking lot.
We would like to offer the opportunity to receive Holy Communion to our parishioners who are in "at-risk "categories. To enable them to remain safe and still receive Communion, I recommend they follow Parish Live-Stream mass at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday from home or their vehicles in the parking lot. I will begin distributing Holy Communion to those who watched Parish Live -Streamed Mass from 12: 00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. This will allow parishioners adequate time to drive to the Church and maintain social distancing. A drive-through loop will be formed, and I will be standing outside the Church's main entrance door to give them Communion. People will pull up at Church's main entrance, wear their mask (s), leave their car to receive Holy Communion, lower mask(s) to consume the Host, and then return to their vehicle and exit. Each car will follow the same protocol.

WEEKDAY MASSES will resume on Monday, June 15th at 8:00 a.m. in the Parish Hall. There will be NO DAILY MASS on Saturdays. Upon entering the Historic Church, self-sanitize your hands and practice social distancing when choosing a seat. You may be asked to move if you are too close to others. After Mass, you will be required to clean the area in which you sat with the provided cleaning materials in the Narthex.
CONFESSION will be available on Saturday, June 6, from 10–11:30 a.m. and 4:00-5:00 p.m. in the Church's main entrance door. Please look for and follow signs the moment you drive into the Church grounds. NO confession will take place in the Church. There is NO FACE TO FACE confession at this time. You are to wear a face mask. Kneel or stand behind the screen and kneeler provided. Please, drive up only when the penitent before you exit. Please keep your confession brief and straight to the point. Please note that missing Mass these past Sundays and Days of Obligations during the pandemic is not a sin and should not be confessed.
Sacraments of Baptism, Anointing of the Sick, Marriage and Funeral Masses are to be celebrated in line with Diocesan directives and with direction from the Pastor, who is to utilize discretion and prudential judgment in regard to these Sacraments.
First Holy Communion, Confirmation, Christian Initiations, and Memorial Funeral Masses are to be celebrated at the discretion of the Pastor and in accord with Diocesan directives.

Though I started by acknowledging that we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but I must admit we still live in an uncertain and unusual time. We are not back to "normal" time and maybe in a "new normal" for a long while. In all this, you have demonstrated great patience and faith. Please keep in mind that this is a learning curve for all of us. We are going to find things awkward and not entirely smooth. We are going to make mistakes and make changes from time to time. Please be adaptive to the fluidity of the moment as we try to adjust and stabilize. Be patient and understanding with us as we make a transition.

Please keep praying for our world and our country to overcome this pandemic. Pray for health workers on the front line fighting this pandemic. Pray for families who have lost their loved ones to it. Pray for those who have lost their jobs as a result of it.
I look forward to the day when the pandemic is finally defeated; we will celebrate in full joy and offer thanksgiving to God.

May Mary, Our Blessed Mother, pray for us.
In Christ,
Fr. Bernard Oniwe, OP, Pastor.
 
 
 

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Seventh Sunday of Easter 5/24/2020

5/21/2020

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Dear friends in Christ,

                                             Celebrating the Class of 2020 High School Seniors

Congratulations to the class of 2020 Seniors of our parish! I think of your graduation in terms of the feast of the Ascension of the Lord we celebrated on Thursday, May 21. In many ways, your academic achievement is a form of rising to a higher position. You have worked hard and scaled several hurdles to get to where you are; you have earned this success and deserve our applauds. As we think of Jesus' Ascension to heaven as a source of hope for all believers, so should you find hope for a better future as you graduate from high school. The roads have been rough, yet your courage, resilience, and faith took you through it.
The journey is not over; it continues. The struggle is not over; it continues. I remember a rallying call, a Latin phrase, from my days in college as an active member of a Student Union demonstration for justice, reduced tuition fees, and a better living condition on campus for students from college authority. To boost their collective spirit, we would cry out to the mobilized student body, "Aluta continua, victoria ascerta" (the struggle continues, victory is certain!). Let the spirit behind this saying be a source of encouragement to you when you face life struggles that still await you in the future. You are already experiencing part of it like everyone in the present restrictions placed on our lives by Covid-19. You must not be discouraged by uncertainties of life or cowered in terror to the hazards of human life. Instead, let the challenges that life will present in various forms draw out the best in you-courage, resourcefulness, creativity, doggedness, and a deeper faith in Jesus Christ, your best friend in any situation whatsoever. Victory is certain when you face all odds with all the rigors of energy God has endowed you. You are in my prayers and always remember the church is with you and behind you.
On this note, on behalf of the entire parish, I extend words of congratulations to the following class of 2020 Seniors :
Lancaster Catholic HS
 
Hope Amanda Abel
Nicholas Thomas Barb
Jillian Grace Bradley
Gabrielle Anna Bruno
Kathryn Theresa Keane
Aaron Joshua Kern
Zygmunt Anthony Mikula
Tyla Janae Smith
Ian Paul Witkowski
 
Bishop McDevitt HS
 
Morgan Anna Molnar

Elizabethtown HS
 
Jared Salvador Alvarez
Brody Beach
Emily Madison Ball
Alexandra Collman
Leah Elizabeth Covaleski
Camille Donahue
Madisyn Jane Ealy
Gavin Gilhool
Matthew Goodling
Lauren Nicole Hottenstein
Logan Lauver
Matthew McCorkle
Kristin McEvoy
Alexander Miller
Noah Rebert
Dugan Reiman
Cole Michael Rice
Ellen Ruth Schlosser
Connor Schramm
Andrew Jacob Telenko
Kimberly Wolf
Ryan Yencha
 
 


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Sixth Sunday of Easter 5/17/2020

5/14/2020

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Dear friends,        
                                                                 I Miss You All

It was on Wednesday morning, May 13. I was looking with delight at my beautiful, mowed rectory green lawn through my kitchen window, drinking my black Starbucks coffee, a good pike place roast while figuring out in my mind what to say in my homily later in the morning about readings from Acts 15 and John 15. Then I saw them. They were walking on South Cherry Alley, about to cross Park Road. Two close friends, I have not seen them together in weeks, though I see one of the two a couple of times a week. If she is not going into the St. Peter historical church to change altar linens or candles, she's helping with counting Sunday collections in the office on Monday. Sandy and Kay were taking a walk in the neighborhood since they could not go to the Masonic Village anymore for their routine exercises. My mind switched off my meditation for the day's bible passages, and my face lit up, I was filled with joy like that of my godson Dayo when he gets a car toy gift from me. I dashed out of the kitchen, out onto the rectory, and yelled, "Sandy." "Kay." It was Kay who eventually heard my loud screams of her name and turned around. I cared less what my neighbors were thinking about me screaming so loud across the street. I was just happy to see Kay Millhouse and Sandy Koser together, best of friends they are, those holy ladies. I miss seeing them.

Why am I writing about sighting two of my parishioners taking a walk and why I am so thrilled to see them? In place of my usual Sunday homily reflection, I felt moved this time around to express my deeply-felt feelings of sense of loss due to not seeing my loving and devoted parishioners since our last parish mass without a congregation on March 15. I miss all my parishioners during this time of the pandemic restrictions. I miss them coming to daily and Sunday masses. I miss seeing Sandy and Kay take care of the altar linens and flowers, respectively, after mass. I miss watching them say few words in hushed voices as they pass by each other in the sanctuary. I miss the happy-faced Joseph Barone, who has not been there to help with setting up for Monday evening Eucharistic adoration. I had to lit the charcoal and prepare the thurible by myself during the celebration of Easter vigil without a congregation. I miss seeing Jane Cavender and Anne Norment collaborating to read assigned bible passage and Gospel acclamation. I miss seeing Beth and Michael Vertucci coming through the aisle to receive communion religiously. I miss seeing Rich and Marty Esoldo as well, especially the glow on Rich's face when I distribute the Precious Blood. I miss seeing Rachel Clark on the front pew to the right of the altar, seeping water-I hope, as she pays attention during mass. I miss seeing the saintly Vince Bresch come in quietly into the church to pray about a half-hour before mass begins. I miss seeing Mike and Pat Minick walking elegantly to their car after mass. I miss Ronnie Acri telling me about his labor in the building of the historic church altar and his nickname in high school.
 I miss seeing Tim and Lee Malcolm read together in-pew from their big missal book. I miss going out to breakfast with John and Joan Bridgen and all these people, including the amiable Amie Barone, of course. I miss way lot of people; I cannot name all names; please pardon me.

Each time I step into the new church, I miss seeing you all. I miss seeing the ushers, who would not miss the devoted service of John Gulya and his team. I miss seeing and praying with the extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion and the altar servers gathered in the narthex, waiting for me to lead them in prayers before mass. I miss processing into the sanctuary with my lector carrying the book of the Gospel. I miss the choir, I'm glad Corinne has been helping us every Sunday, but I miss the entire robed choir in the pew. I miss my devoted pianists and musicians, Linda Itzoe and Liz Pfautz, and the angelic voiced cantors. I miss all the fantastic parishioners who would look at me with faces beaming with smiles as I sing part of my homily (even if they don't understand part of what I am saying in my elegant Nigerian accent, lol). I miss seeing that church filled with joyful people during baptisms and weddings. I miss the energy and joy of the youth choir and their leaders. I miss the occasional visits to the RCIA and CCD classes. I miss post-8:30 am mass remarks from my friend, Ed Millhouse. When do I see you again? I miss seeing every one of you; honestly, I do

Above all, I miss seeing all the little, cute, and angelic children who run happily from all sides of the church to the altar to drop their collection. I cry tears of joy when I think of such witness of little ones. I love you all and miss you much. I am thankful for all the love many of you have shown me-bringing me food, sending me cards, calling to check on me and praying for me. You all mean the world to me and am glad to be with you during this strange time. We are in it together. We will overcome COVID-19 together. I pray for you every day at mass and offer my daily Rosaries for you. Please stay safe and remain joyful in this season of Easter and beyond. I can't wait to see you back in the church pews. I pray it happens sooner than later.

In Christ who loves us,      

Fr. Bernard Oniwe, OP
 


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Fifth Sunday of Easter 5/10/2020

5/7/2020

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Dear Friends in Christ,          
                                                       Why Do I Believe in Jesus Christ?

I have watched some videos and attended webinars in the last two weeks on why atheists do not believe in Jesus Christ. One of their central arguments against belief in Jesus or the existence of God is that there is no rational basis for such belief. British Philosopher Bertrand Russel aptly captures this line of argument in an interview he granted a few years before his death in 1970. In his answer to the question, why are you not a Christian? In his own words, he says he is not a believer in Jesus: “because I see no evidence whatsoever in any of the Christian dogmas.” He goes on further to say that in his engagement in pursuit of knowledge, he concluded that Christian dogmas are not true because they are irrational and one can’t verify their truthfulness. For instance, Russel considers Jesus teaching of afterlife nonsensical. Jesus’ declaration and promise in John 14 about returning to heaven after his resurrection to prepare a place for those who believe in him, and an invitation to faith in him as the way, truth, and life are rejected by Bertrand Russel and his likes in our current age for lack of proof for the truthfulness of such claims. Can we make a compelling case for the evident truth of Christ and his teachings? Yes, we can.
The incarnate Word, imago Dei, Jesus Christ himself is the proof of dogmas of Christian faith. My claim would be considered fallacious and lacking in scientific evidence by philosophers and scientists respectively. But the onus of proof in this context and concerning this subject is found in the person of Christ himself-the author of life. His words and teachings are true because God’s witness and testimony are true (Jn 8:14). Consequently, we believe in God and all truths he revealed to us: we believe in heaven and hell, we believe in the resurrection of the body at the end of life, we believe in the Parousia, and the last judgement. We believe in all teachings of Jesus because they are self evident to perception of faith. These truths fall primarily within the purview of faith. The knowledge of the world and what is known about it is not limited to the material form of knowledge; after all, our universe is composed of matter and spirit. Jesus is the origin and ground of all human knowledge.
Jesus declares to the curious and knowledge-seeking Thomas, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (Jn 14:6). We know these teaching to be true by the gift of faith and can verify it to be true by the life and works of believers in Christ down the ages who fulfill the promise of Christ when he says that “he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do; because I go to the Father.” (Jn 14:12). All humans are seeking for a way to truth and life, including atheists and agnostics and non-Christians. Because the human soul cannot find perfect fulfillment in the material provision, Jesus provides the way to the essential spiritual purpose of the humans. St. Augustine makes this clear in his sermons: “Every man can attain an understanding of the Truth and the Life; but not all find the Way. The wise of this world realize that God is eternal life and knowable truth; but by the Word of God, who is Truth and Life joined to the Father, has become the way by taking a human nature” (De Verbis Domini Sermones, 54).
For Many, like Bertrand Russel, who reject Jesus, “a cornerstone, chosen and precious” in the configuration of their lives, there are many more who by grace believe or have faith in him as the cornerstone of their lives, and progress and joy are their lots. The growth in the number of disciples and the widespread of the Way among Jews and Gentiles alike as we heard from Acts of the Apostles 6:1 are concrete and verifiable evidence of the truthfulness of Christ teaching about himself when he says “whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these” (Jn 14:12). These self-evident truths of faith are parts of the reasons why I believe in Jesus Christ, the reason why I am a Christian. It is part of our functions as partakers in the royal priesthood of Christ to offer sacrifices and prayers for non-believers and carry out works of Christ to attract them to follow the Way.
In Christ, the way, the truth, and the life,      
Fr. Bernard Oniwe, OP
 

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022

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