News

St. Peter Church Women's Group Spring Retreat

The St. Peter church Women's Group invites all ladies to attend their Spring Retreat, "This is My Body", on Saturday, April 13, from 9AM-4PM at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in New Baltimore.  Please join us for our Spring Retreat that will focus on the Eucharist during this year of the Church’s Eucharistic Revival. Father Mark Pattock, pastor at St. John The Baptist, will lead us through meditations into a deeper devotion to the Eucharist where our spiritual life begins. A beautiful way to reflect on the Easter Season and Christ’s Resurrection. There will be group discussion, personal reflection, rosary, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is celebrated at 6PM. Cost is $20 which includes a light breakfast on arrival and lunch at noon. Please make checks payable to Sue Sube.  Mail to Sue at 404 Dott Avenue, Somerset, PA 15501. Reply by April 9. Please call or email (814) 442-6168 / suejsube@yahoo.com. We will carpool to St. John’s leaving the Columbia Ave parking lot of St. Peter’s at 8AM.  

Please let Sue know if you are willing to drive. THANKS

JOIN US AND BRING A FRIEND!

Women’s Group invites you to attend the Spring Benefit/Diaper Drive for Birthright.

St. Peter’s Church Women’s Group invites you to attend the 2024 Spring Benefit and Diaper Drive for Birthright of Somerset.  It will be held on Sunday, April 28, after 12:15 Mass in St. Peter’s parish hall.  Donation is $20 per person. Tickets must be purchased in advance.  Please bring a package of diapers for Birthright (all sizes are needed).   There will be a 50/50 drawing and raffle drawings.  Seating is limited to 100 persons.  Deadline to purchase tickets is April 15.  Tickets will be sold the weekends of April 6/7 and 13/14 in the church after Masses.  You may also contact Margaret Charney at 814-442-1697 or Sue Hook at 814-443-3593 for ticket information.

Choosing Godparents for Baptism

In light of last week’s Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, here is the description of the role of Godparent for the Sacrament of Baptism. This is a review of the guidelines established by the Catholic Church concerning Godparent eligibility. These regulations should be considered before the parents of a child ask someone to be a Godparent for their son or daughter:  

·         The decision as to who should be a Godparent should be based upon who would provide the best example of Catholic living for the child and not merely for reasons of maintaining family harmony. A Godparent is chosen not primarily to honor the Godparent, but for the wellbeing and faith development of the child.  

·         In order to be a Godparent for Baptism, an individual must be a practicing Catholic, at least 16 years of age and have received the Sacraments of Initiation (i.e. Baptism, Holy Communion and Confirmation). 'Furthermore, if this person is married, then the marriage must be a valid, sacramental marriage (i.e. one recognized and blessed by the Catholic Church).  

·         The potential Godparent must be registered in a Catholic parish and able to obtain from his or her parish priest a letter of eligibility to be a Godparent. Only one Godparent is required by Church law. This Godparent may be a man or a woman. However, if two Godparents are selected (the more common practice), then there must be one man and one woman chosen. In other words, a child cannot have two men or two women as Godparents.  

·         In extraordinary situations when two Catholic Godparents cannot be found, then a baptized person who belongs to another Christian denomination (e.g. Methodist, Lutheran, or Presbyterian) may serve as a Christian Witness. However, former Catholics who have left the Catholic Church for another Christian denomination are not permitted to serve as Christian Witnesses.  

Since Baptism is the initial, foundational Sacrament in the life of a Catholic, great care must be taken in deciding who will serve as a Godparent. The guidelines above are meant to assist parents in making a reasonable and secure decision as to who will fulfill this critical role for their child. Since they are provided by the universal Church and individual priests are not vested with the authority to dispense from them, these guidelines will be strictly followed at St. Peters Church.

St. Peter School announces 2024-2025 Registration Dates!

St. Peter School, 433 West Church Street, Somerset, PA will begin registration for the 2024-2025 school year on Monday, January 22nd.  Registration applications are available at the school or on the school website.   The Registration Application form, a birth certificate, any baptismal certificates (if baptized at a church other than St. Peter’s Church)  and immunization records are required for the application process.  Students who are entering Kindergarten are to be five years old by August 31, 2024.  

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