March 11, Fourth Sunday of Lent

Transcription

1 Rectory: 170 Mechanic Street Leominster, Massachusetts Telephone (978) / / Parish Office Hours are Monday thru Thursday 9 am - 5 pm and Friday 9 am - 4 pm Religious Education (C.C.D) Office Telephone (978) Bingo Telephone: (978) March 11, Fourth Sunday of Lent Celebration of the Eucharist Saturday Vigil Masses: 4:00 & 6:30 P.M. Sunday Masses: 7:00, 9:45, and 11:15 A.M. Weekday Masses (Monday - Saturday): 6:30 A.M. Holy Day Masses: As Announced In Bulletin Confessions: Fridays, 6:00-7:00 P.M. Saturdays, 3:00-4:00 P.M. Baptisms: Please call the rectory in advance to schedule baptismal instruction. Marriages: Rev. Robert D. Bruso Pastor Couple should contact the rectory at least one year in advance. A marriage preparation program is required. Rev. Eric K. Asante Associate Pastor Deacon Ronald J. Aubuchon Deacon Robert S. Connor, Jr. Mr. David M. Lasky Music Director, Organist Mrs. Patricia A. Secino, Religious Education Director and Director of Evangelization and RCIA

2 Fourth Sunday of Lent St. Cecilia Church, Leominster MA March 11, 2018 Saturday March 10 Vigil Masses Mass on pg :00 p.m. Therese Doucet (6th anniv.) by her husband & family 6:30 p.m. Bill Nelson by his son, John Sunday March 11 Fourth Sunday of Lent Mass on pg :00 a.m. Angela Marie Watts (19th anniv.) by Carole, Daniel & Karen Watts 9:45 a.m. Deceased members of the Leon Gallagher family by Rita & family 11:15 a.m. Rita F. Morin by last will Monday March 12 Lenten Weekday Mass on pg :30 a.m. Geraldine Aubuchon by Gena Nutting 5:30 p.m. Madeline Girouard by her family Tuesday March 13 Lenten Weekday Mass on pg :30 a.m. Lien (Theresa) Le by her family 5:30 p.m. Alonzo Gaudet by Hector & Louise Wednesday March 14 Lenten Weekday Mass on pg :30 a.m. Robert F. Dube, Sr. & Wilma Brideau Dube by their children 4:30-5:30 p.m. Adoration and Confession 5:30 p.m. Gladys Pedroza (21st anniv.) by the family Thursday March 15 Lenten Weekday Mass on pg :30 a.m. Andrew F. Zephir by Joan & Doug Romano 5:30 p.m. Jeannette Aubuchon by her friend Friday March 16 Lenten Weekday Mass on pg :30 a.m. Parishioners of St. Cecilia Parish 3:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross 5:30 p.m. David Lamkin by his wife, Susan 6:00-7:00 p.m. Confession Saturday March 17 St. Patrick, Bishop Mass on pg :30 a.m. Michael Leclerc by his mother, Lorraine & brother, Richard 3:00-4:00 p.m. Confession Vigil Masses Mass on pg :00 p.m. Irene Cristofono (15th anniv.) by John, Mary & Mike 6:30 p.m. Andre & Anita Allain by Gil, Nora & family Sunday March 18 Fifth Sunday of Lent Mass on pg :00 a.m. Claire St. Jean by Lou & Val Landry 9:45 a.m. Carl & Judy Walker (30th day) by Jamie Camire 11:15 a.m. Norman Loiselle (1st anniv.) by his wife & children 2

3 Fourth Sunday of Lent St. Cecilia Church, Leominster MA March 11, 2018 Dear Friends, A Message From Our Pastor. There is an unmistakable optimism in today s readings. Even the Old testament reading from Chronicles, which tells of the infidelity of the people of Israel and the destruction of the city of Jerusalem and the exile of the people to Babylon, ends on the positive note when King Cyrus released the Israelite captives and send them home. Hope triumphs if we continue to believe. Thirty or so years ago, when we first began seeing placards with John 3:16 on them in the stands at televised football games, scrambled to our Bibles to find out what the message was. By now, we all know. It is commonly seen. God so loved the world that He gave His Only Son so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life. It is the promise of the reward of faith. For it is by faith that we are saved. That does not mean that we don t have a responsibility to respond to God s gift of faith with acts of mercy, but, as St. Paul tells us, we cannot boast that our goodness is our salvation. The only source of salvation is Jesus Christ, who died for us. I have often read of people who have had a so-called near death experience and they felt the sensation of being drawn into a beautiful light and then they came back. I believe, as Jesus told Nicodemus, that God loves the world and all of us in it and does not condemn us. Rather he offers us salvation through His Son. But what of those who do not believe? Jesus says it is not God who condemns, but the person condemns him or herself. I believe God s grace is available to us until the moment of our death. There is such a thing as a deathbed conversion. That is why the Church allows for the Christian burial of even people who commit suicide. The Church believes there is always the slight possibility that in the split second between the act of suicide and the moment of death, the person may realize what they have done and regret the act. What does that mean? Is everyone saved? It is God s will that all will be saved, but that doesn t mean everyone will respond to God s saving grace. Have you ever gone to a movie on a sunny summer afternoon? When you get out of the darkened theater, your eyes hurt for a minute because they have not adjusted to the light. I think that s what happens in some cases. Some people are so comfortable in a life of sin and darkness that when the light of Christ shines on them, offering them the hope of eternal life, they turn their eyes away and embrace the darkness. That is the ultimate tragedy: That God, who has been sending every possible grace into our lives so that we may believe, is rebuffed by the sinner and is lost. May we never be in that number! May we receive with gratitude the gift of faith in Jesus Christ. Say Yes to God s grace. Say Yes to the light of Christ. Say Yes to the eternal life God has prepared for us. May God bless you all, Father Bob Bruso WQPH FM 89.3 is holding a TV Raffle during the Lenten Fish Fry held on Fridays at The Madonna of the Holy Rosary Church, 118 Theresa Street, Fitchburg. The TV Raffle includes a 43 inch Smart TV, a 70 mile TV Antenna and a ROKU. The tickets are 10 for $5.00 and the drawing will be on Friday, March 23rd at the end of the Fish Fry. Please support the Fish Fry and your local Catholic Radio Station. 3

4 Fourth Sunday of Lent St. Cecilia Church, Leominster MA March 11, 2018 Ladies of St. Anne Meeting will be held this Wednesday at 7 PM in the parish center lower hall. New members are always welcomed!! The Sympathies of the parish community are extended to the family and friends of Irene Dorothy Allain whose Funeral Mass was held recently. Please remember her in your prayers. Please join us next Sunday, March 18th at 1:30 for Bunko in the Parish Center. Never played before? No problem! Bunko is fast paced, highly sociable, and easy to learn. Just show up around 1:10 for a quick lesson or refresher on how to play. Cost to play is $6.00 per person, refreshments are served and cash prizes are awarded. Must be 18 years of age or older. Pre-registration is a must! Please call Deanne at to sign up and reserve your spot. Religious Education/CCD Classes Monday Evening Classes for Grades 7-10 continue this week at 7:00 pm. Sunday Morning Classes for Grades 1-6 continue next Sunday at 9:45 a.m. LET'S PUT OUR FAITH INTO ACTION THIS LENT Annual Food Drive Next weekend is the final collection for this year's Lenten Food Drive. The final week's collection is sugar, powdered milk, cocoa mix, kool aid mix, toothpaste, toothbrushes and toilet paper. As always, any and all contributions are gratefully accepted. This Week at 7PM Each Night Sunday, March 11th - St. Leo Church Adoration & Homily Christ Christ Our Nourishment Nourishment Monday, March 12th - St. Anna Church Mass & Sacrament of the Sick Christ Our Health Christ Health Rice Bowls Cardboard "rice bowls" are available at the entrances of the church. Use them to save loose change and return them at the end of Lent. A little bit every day adds up to a large donation to help children around the world. Tuesday, March 13th - St. Cecilia Church Reconciliation Services Christ Our Forgiveness Forgiveness Wednesday, March 14th - Holy Family of Nazareth Concelebrated Mass Christ Christ Our Message Message All Are Welcome! 4

5 Fourth Sunday of Lent St. Cecilia Church, Leominster MA March 11, 2018 Ongoing During Lent Daily Mass: Monday-Friday: 6:30 AM, 5:30 PM Saturday: 6:30 AM Rosary: Monday-Thursday 3:00 PM Confession: Wednesday 4:30-5:30 PM, Friday 6:00-7:00 PM, Saturday 3:00-4:00 PM Adoration: Wednesday 4:30-5:30 PM Stations of the Cross: Friday 3:00 PM Wednesdays 4:00-6:30 Simple meal (soups, stews, etc.) in the parish center, lower hall. No charge, but free will donations to St. Vincent de Paul Society will be accepted. If you can spare a few hours to volunteer, please call Jeannine at This Week s Menu: Beef & Barley Soup LENTEN GUIDELINES FOR FAST AND ABSTINENCE Lenten fast and abstinence regulations for the Diocese of Worcester are as follows: Abstinence from meat is to be observed by all Catholics fourteen (14) years of age and older on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all the Fridays of Lent. Fasting is to be observed by all Catholics who are eighteen (18) years of age but not yet fiftynine (59) years of age on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Those who are bound to fast may take only one full meal. Two smaller meals are permitted if necessary to maintain strength according to one's needs, but eating solid foods between meals is not permitted. Catholics should not lightly excuse themselves from these prescribed Lenten penitential practices Partners in Charity Appeal. This weekend is In Pew Commitment Weekend for the 2018 Partners in Charity Appeal. This weekend every member of St. Cecilia Parish is called upon to support the work of our Lord Jesus made possible through the annual appeal. Our parish goal is $50,000. Please complete your pledge envelope, indicating your gift or pledge today. It is important for all of us to participate in order to support our mission as a diocese. Please be as generous as possible. If you have already made a gift to the 2018 appeal we thank you. Your gift will help us in reaching our parish goal. You can also make your gift online at Thank You! Considering a Vocation to the Priesthood? The Diocese of Worcester s annual discernment retreat, directed by Bishop McManus, will be held on March 23 & 24. It begins at 6 pm Friday and ends 6 pm Saturday. It s for men high school age, college age, and older at the Immaculate Conception Retreat Center in Putnam, CT (only 30 minutes from Worcester). The retreat is free and transportation is provided if needed. For more info visit worcestervocations.com. To sign up contact Fr. Jim Mazzone at jmazzone@charter.net or call Collections Report Stewardship 2/25: $7, Stewardship 3/4: $7, February Church Maintenance: $2, February On-Line Giving: $ Home Mission: $1,

6 Fourth Sunday of Lent St. Cecilia Church, Leominster MA March 11,

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