Georgiann Benkovic – Prince of Peace

Sunday, September 13, 2026

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The readings for this Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time bring us to one of most demanding–and most beautiful–teachings of the Christian life: FORGIVENESS. Sirach warns us against holding tightly to anger and resentment, while the psalm reminds us that the Lord is “kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.” In the Gospel, Peter asks Jesus the question that perhaps all of us have asked at one time or another: “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive?

Peter suggests seven times, probably thinking that he is being extraordinarily generous. Jesus responds, “not seven times but seventy-seven times.” He is not giving Peter a larger number to keep tract of. Rather, Jesus is telling us that Christian forgiveness cannot be reduced to counting. The disciple of Christ must develop a heart that is continually disposed toward mercy.

Forgiveness, of course, does not mean pretending that an injury never happened. Nor does it mean that injustice should be ignored or that trust must immediately be restored. Christian forgiveness mans refusing to allow hatred and vengeance to possess our hearts. Sometimes forgiveness comes only after a long struggle of prayer and grace. Yet every time we pray the Our Father, we ask God to “forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” We cannot sincerely ask for a mercy that we ourselves stubbornly refuse to give.

This Sunday’s message leads beautifully into two commemorations we celebrate this week. On Monday, September 14, we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy cross, when the Church lifts up the Cross not as an instrument of defeat but as the sign of Christ’s victory and God’s immeasurable love. Upon that Cross, Jesus Himself showed us what forgiveness looks like. Then on Tuesday, September 15, we observe the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows. Standing beneath the Cross, Mary shared profoundly in the suffering of her Son. She could not remove His cross, but neither did she abandon Him.

Perhaps this week we might place before the Cross one resentment, one old wound, or one person whom we find particularly difficult to forgive. We may not yet be able to say that the hurt is gone, but we can ask Christ to begin changing our hearts. The mercy we extend to others is ultimately the mercy that we ourselves have first received from Him.

We Remember: September 11, 2001

Most of us remember where we were on the morning of September 11, 2001. We watched in horror as images of the terrorists attacks flooded the news media. We mourned the thousands of men, women, and children who perished in the World Trade Center, in the Pentagon, and in a field in Pennsylvasnia.

Churches, synagogues, and mosques opened their doors as people tried to find meaning. Believers – old and new – found comfort, strength, and challenge in prayer.

This September, our assemblies will be faced with renewed turmoil. Media coverage, national observances and family gatherings will refresh their minds and open their wounds. Our nation will again express its grief. While politics and patriotism will certainly be visible, prayer should take the more central role on this somber anniversary.

Certainly, September 11 will always be a day of solemn remembrance. It is right that this day should never pass from our collective memory. On this twenty-fifty anniversary, let us not only remember this tragic day, but also acknowledge a longing for peace, the peace that only Christ can give.

Holiday Bazaar

Prince of Peace-Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary will hold their annual “Holiday Bazaar” on Sunday, November 8, 2026 from 11:30am to 4:00pm in our Parish Center.

Mark your calendars for a couple of hours of shopping, enjoying great food, and desserts while the children enjoy crafts and games.

We will have our usual menu of meatball subs, sauerkraut and sausage subs, hot dogs, french fries, homemade soups, homemade candy, cookies, cakes, pies and a wonderful assortment of delicious extra special desserts.

There will be multiple vendors and, of course, our “Grannies Attic Treasures” for shopping and finding that special bargain or treasure.

If you would like to be a vendor or know of a vendor who may be interested, please contact our Parish Office at 717-985-1330.

Our Lady of Sorrows

O, Mother most holy and sorrowful, Queen of Martyrs, you who stood by your Son as He agonized on thee cross; by the sufferings of your life, by that sword of pain that pierced your heart, by your perfect joy in heaven, look down on me kindly as I kneel before you, sympathizing with your sorrows and offering you may petition with childlike trust. Dear Mother, since your Son refuses you nothing, ask of His Sacred Heart to mercifully grant what I ask, through the merits of His sacred passion, along with those of your sufferings at the foot of the cross.

Mother most merciful, to whom shall I go in my misery if not to you who pities us poor, sinful exiles in this valley of tears? In our name, offer Jesus but one drop of His most precious blood, but one pang of His loving heart. Remind Him that you are sweetness, our life, and our hope, and your prayer will be heard. Amen.

Spaghetti On Second

Spaghetti On Second has scheduled their upcoming dinner for Sunday, September 27th from 11:30am to 2:00pm in the Parish Center of our Parish complex.

The dinner includes a tossed salad, homemade spaghetti and sauce, two large meatballs, two slices of Italian bread and a beverage of your choice for $15.00.

We will have desserts available for purchasing at the dinner if you wish. Eat in or take out dinners are available for your convenience.

Tickets are available for purchasing by contacting the Parish Office at 717-985-1330 or email us at pop.parish@comcast.net. You may purchase your tickets at the dinner if this is more convenient for you and your family. We look forward to seeing you at the dinner.

Knights of Columbus Council #3625

Our Knights of Columbus next scheduled meeting is on Tuesday, October 6th at 7:00pm in the Parish Office. All men are encouraged to attend and be a part of our parish society.

The Knights are currently selling “Football Sweepstakes” tickets for $10.00 each. The tickets will run from the NFL season November 8th to January 10, 2027. Contact any Knight or call Ron at 717-939-9914.

Don’t forget to pickup your sub order this Saturday, September 5th from 10am to 12 noon in the GYM of our Parish Center.

What Does It Mean to Be Catholic?

What Does It Mean To Be Catholic?

The Catholic Church was founded by Christ and his Apostles. There are four marks or characteristics of the Church, and we are reminded of them each time we pray the Nicene Creed at Mass.

One: Means all members are united as the Body of Christ, given life by the one Spirit. We acknowledge one Lord, one faith, one Baptism.

Holy: Means the Church is centered on God. It is Christ who, by his sacrifice, makes the Church holy.

Catholic: Means universal. The Church is for all times and all people. The Church is “the fullness” of the means of salvation”. (CCC830)

Apostolic: Means the Church is built on the foundation of the Apostles. We teach the doctrine of Jesus as it has been handed down through the apostles and their successors, the pope and bishops.

Each Catholic is called to full and active participation in the life of the Church and has the right and responsibility to:

1.) Attend Mass on Sundays and on Holy Days of Obligation.

2. Confess your sins, through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a least once a year.

3. Receive the Eucharist.

4. Observe the days of fasting Ash Wednesday and Good Friday and abstinence on Ash Wednesday in Lent established by the Church.

5. Help to provide for the needs of the Church

Encountering Christ and being a witness to his love means we are called to live like Jesus and work for justice and peace in this world by living the 10 commandments, the Beatitudes, the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy and the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.

We are called to stand for the: Life and dignity of the Human Person, Call to Family, Community and Participation, Rights and Responsibilities of the Human Person, Option for the Poor and Vulnerable, Dignity of Work and Rights of workers, Solidarity of the Human Family, Care for God’s Creatures.

Infant of Prague

It was a little painted statue and stood a foot and a half high, was dressed in exquisite court dress, and cherished as an heirloom wedding gift. It came from Spain during an early spread of devotion to the Christ Child.

In the 17th century, a Spanish noblewoman named Isabel Manrique gave this little statue to her daughter Marie when Marie married a Czech noble. Marie gave it, in turn, to her own daughter Polyxena when the later married.

Polyxena treasured it for many years, but at last gifted it to the Carmelite monastery of Our Lady of Victory.

Shortly afterward the Czech kingdom was invaded by the Saxons, forcing the Carmelites to flee their monastery. The statue of the Christ Child, damaged and tattered was left behind in the ruins of the church.

Ten years later in 1638, a Carmelite priest found it. He took it to his church in Prague and displayed it by the altar.

Suddenly, as he knelt in prayer before it, the statue spoke, saying: “Have mercy on me and I will have mercy on you. Give Me My hands and I will give you peace. The more you honor Me the more I will bless you.”

After this, many miracles were reported to have been wrought through the statue and devotion to the Christ Child increased all the more.

Many saints, such as Therese of Lisieux and Francis of Assisi, were greatly devoted to the Infant Jesus. Nurture love for the Child Jesus in your own home.

The Catholic Company: Bite-Sized Faith

SPIRITUAL COMMUNION

Spiritual Communion:

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.

Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

Blessed Virgin Mary Grotto

Dear Friends

Visit our Grotto at Prince of Peace Parish-Assumption of the BVM Church. Pray to our Blessed Mother for peace in our country and the world and ask her assistance to bring friends and families who are not practicing their faith to return to her Son, Our Lord Jesus.

Our Blessed Virgin Mary Grotto is the Queen of Peace.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.