HOLY FAMILY PARISH Don Bosco Chapel Fortbaan Schoten

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1 HOLY FAMILY PARISH Don Bosco Chapel Fortbaan Schoten APRIL 2011 YEAR A SUNDAY MASS 10:30AM FR. FRANCIS PEERLINCK, PASTOR

2 MESSAGE FROM FATHER: THE LITURGICAL CALENDER FOR APRIL Dear Parishioners! To go through the month of April we see quite important liturgical celebrations for our Parish, worth remembering: - April 3: The celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation for our First Holy Communion children. After we have practiced the Sunday before, the children will feel confident to make their first confession. The celebration will take place after mass. The Our Father and the Act of Contrition should be known by the children. May I ask the parents to help the children to know these prayers by heart. - April 10: At the beginning of our Sunday Eucharistic celebration we will celebrate our Penitential Service - with general confession and absolution- as our preparation to Easter. If some people would like a private confession, they may come somewhat earlier, and ask me for confession before mass. - April 17: Palm Sunday. We celebrate Jesus solemn entrance into Jerusalem. We will have the blessing of the palms, and hear the Passion of our Lord. Palm branches will be available to take home. After mass we also do the Stations of the Cross, as our preparation to Good Friday, and a devotion that goes back for centuries in the history of the church. - April 21: Holy Thursday. At 7:30 p.m: we open the Holy Pascal Triduum with the celebration of Jesus Last Supper with his disciples, the Institution of the sacrament of the Eucharist, the sacrament of the Priesthood, and his washing of the feet of his disciples. The International Protestant Church of Antwerp will also be present, and Pastor Steve Swanson will lead the ceremony of the washing of the feet. We need twelve disciples for the washing of the feet. - April 24: The Solemnity of Easter: The Resurrection of the Lord. At 10:30 a.m. we celebrate a solemn Mass, having two of our children who will be baptized during mass. They will make their First Holy Communion on May 15th. As we begin spring, and nice weather is announcing the summer, let us enjoy all that comes to us. May the joy of Easter open and fill our hearts and minds! Happy Easter to all of you! Father Francis Peerlinck

3 Ask the President. Whether you are a newcomer or a longstanding member of our parish, there maybe things you still don t know about it. Our parish council president, Samuel Villacian, will attempt to answer your questions each month. See him after Mass or drop him a mail at: villacian1@yahoo.com Question: Did Father Peerlinck lead other parishes as well as ours? No, actually Father is a Redemptorist priest. He has taught in Catholic high schools and been chaplain at the University of Antwerp in Wilrijk. He is the author of 8 books: his doctoral thesis in German; one in English on the history of our parish; 6 in Dutch. His latest one in Dutch has sermons on the Ten Commandments for priests and deacons. It s currently for sale at the back of the chapel if anyone is interested in buying a copy. Father was also head of his monastery in Antwerp until it closed in He also worked in New York City on summer assignment. He does say Mass in Dutch at 9:30 every Sunday for the Flemish parishioners of Don Bosco Chapel. Question: What is this Rwanda jar that s passed around in the coffee room? For several years our parish has been sponsoring students at a Catholic high school in Rwanda. The extra change that is deposited in the jar is used to supplement the parish s contribution and the jar also keeps reminding us of our commitment to these African students. For more information see the article elsewhere in this bulletin or contact Barbara Noels. Question: In our home country we would fast and abstain from eating meat on Good Friday. Is it the same in Belgium? Belgians should abstain from eating big meals on Good Friday but they may eat meat. Question: I would like to read at Mass on Sunday. How do I get on the list? Contact Rowena, our liturgist, at rowena.chesworth@gmail.com who will put your name on the list. The list is published for the month in the Bulletin. You can practice at the microphone Sundays after religious classes and ask tips from other readers. Also, take a missalette home with you before your turn approaches so you can practice the readings.

4 A FANTASTIC COMPLIMENT A few weeks ago, Father Peerlinck and I received an from a woman who happened by our website while browsing for inspiration. Father Peerlinck thought it would be a good idea to share it in the bulletin, I agreed. I guess it just goes to show, we never know how something we do in our own corner of the world, can have an impact on someone almost on the other side of the globe. Dear Fr. Peerlinck and Ms Pizzella, I am a member of the Holy Spirit Church in Fairfield, California and have been working on the Advisory Commission of Holy Spirit School (K-8) for some years. One of the goals I have been working on is to encourage all the families of our school to be active members of our Church community. I am always looking for inspiration and some months ago came across your Church bulletin (online.) Specifically, it was an invitation to join you for the celebration of the Eucharist on Sunday, September 12, There was a very beautiful invitation at the bottom of the page which started with the words "The Lord invites us to be his guest." I thought it was so moving. We have just put together an invitation for our school families to join us this Lenten season and the invitation in your bulletin was truly the inspiration for me. I wanted you to know how your work and the love put into it carried not only to the members of your Holy Family Parish but thousands of miles away to the Parish of Holy Spirit in Northern California. I had the opportunity to travel to Belgium many years ago while on business and remember it and its people very fondly. I felt the need to thank you for the spark you put in me to reach out to others. I would love to know who wrote the very welcoming words of the invitation you published. I have shared them with many and all are moved by the simplicity of it and its profound message. It sounds like you have a very special community at Holy Family. I thank you again for posting your bulletins online to allow all of us travelers on the internet to share your in your inclusiveness. We will include all your parish members in our prayers and intentions this Lenten season. Kind regards, Susan Marie Schultz

5 THIS IS THE POEM SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT: The Lord Jesus invites us to be his guest. So let us come, not because we are strong, but because we are weak; not because we believe in him, but because he believes in us; not because we are good enough, but because he is good enough. Come, we who have much faith and we who have little; we who have tried to follow, and we who have failed. It is our Lord who invites us to come to meet him here. LEGEND OF THE DOGWOOD There is a legend, that at the time of the Crucifixion the dogwood had been the size of the oak and other forest trees. So firm and strong was the tree, that it was chosen as the timber of the Cross. To be used thus for such a cruel purpose greatly distressed the tree, and Jesus, nailed upon it, sensed this, and in His gentle pity for all sorrow and suffering said to it: "Because of your regret and pity for my suffering, never again shall the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used as a Cross. Henceforth it shall be slender and bent and twisted and its blossoms shall be in the form of a Cross...two long and two short petals. And in the center of the outer edge of each petal there will be nail prints, brown with rust and stained with red, and in the center of the flower there will be a crown of thorns, and all who see it will remember."

6 THE CROSS IN MY POCKET ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ALAN BARNETT I carry a cross in my pocket A simple reminder to me Of the fact that I am a Christian No matter where I may be. This little cross is not magic Nor is it a good luck charm It isn't meant to protect me From every physical harm. It's not for identification For all the world to see It's simply an understanding Between my Savior and me. When I put my hand in my pocket To bring out a coin or key The cross is there to remind me Of the price He paid for me. It reminds me, too, to be thankful For my blessings day by day And to strive to serve Him better In all that I do and say. It's also a daily reminder Of the peace and comfort I share With all who know my master And give themselves to His care. So, I carry a cross in my pocket Reminding no one but me That Jesus Christ is Lord of my life If only I'll let Him be.

7 NEWS FROM THE FIRST COMMUNION CLASS ~~~~~~~ STEFFI BLOCK Dear parishioners, Ten children ranging in age from second to sixth grade embarked on a wonderful journey last fall. Their final destination is to receive the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of our dearly beloved Lord Jesus Christ for the first time in their life on May 15th. On their way, they will have a joyful stop to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and experience God's immeasurable love and forgiveness. They attend a class on most Sundays after mass, are learning their prayers diligently and practice the song they are going to perform during mass on May 15th with great enthusiasm. It is wonderful to see them working through the chapters with interest and witness their growth in faith. It is very touching to watch their openness to the Gospel, their thirst for knowledge and their trust in God. Please show them your loving support by praying for them and by joining them in celebrating their First Communion mass. If you know any parishioners or Catholics who might have kids in the right age (usually at the start of 2nd or 3rd grade) to begin their journey this fall, please invite them to come to the First Communion mass and witness the class of 2011! If they have any further questions or would like to sign up their child/children, please be so kind to refer them to Graeme or Samuel. Chiara, Connor, Daniel, Elisha, Frederick, Hans, Julien, Louisa, Maxim and Shaelyn thank you for your prayers and support and look forward to celebrate with you on May 15th.

8 EASTER ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~BY BARBARA NOELS Easter is the greatest feast of the Christian church. Christians the world over celebrate the day Jesus Christ, the Son of God, rose from the dead. Easter always comes in the spring but not always on the same day. Which day it is depends on the full moon. Spring begins on March 21. Easter falls on the first Sunday following the full moon after the first day of spring. This year this happens on Sunday April 24. The celebration of a spring festival is far older than Christianity. Easter s name comes from Eostre, the pagan goddess of spring. In pagan times all fires were extinguished in her honor, and re-lighted from a special sacred fire. The early Christians followed this example. All fires and lights in the churches were blown out, the ashes and embers taken out and replaced by new candles and fresh fire. Christians prepare for Easter. This preparation time, called Lent, comes from an old word meaning spring. Lent lasts for 40 days. It commemorates the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert fasting, praying, and getting ready to teach the people. The day before Lent begins is party time in many countries. Some of the most famous parties are Mardi Gras in Brazil and carnival time in Cologne, Germany and other European cities. Easter Sunday has many traditions. The eating of eggs usually plays an important part in these traditions. Eggs are associated with spring as symbols of new life, just like our new lives with the resurrected Christ. Chocolate or colored eggs are hidden in the garden or around the house for children to find. In the U.S., Britain and other countries it is believed that the Easter Bunny has brought the eggs. In Belgium children believe that the church bells, which stop ringing on Good Friday, have flown to Rome and on the way back on Easter they have scattered eggs along the way. The bakeries are filled with chocolates called klokken or bells for people to buy. Happy Easter! Zalig Pasen! Joyeuses Pâques! Felices Pascuas! Frohe Ostern!

9 MONTHLY PRAYER CONNECTION It is with great pleasure that the Christian Women's Club can invite you to the next prayer connection, which will be held on: Dates for meetings in the coming months: Tuesday April 5, 2011 at the home Barbara, Veltwijcklaan 297, Ekeren at 10 o clock in the morning. Hope to see you all and have a blessed Holy Week and a Happy Easter. Peace in Christ, Sharmini ( ) Marie-Louise ( ) Tuesday May 3, 2011 at the home of Greetje Fleurke-Holtrust, Augustijnslei 126, Brasschaat. Tuesday June 7, 2011 at the home of Lai-yin Liew, Den Geer 7, Ekeren FROM JARED BAKER, YOUTH PASTOR AT AIPC For those interested, please put this date on your calendars. What: Vacation Bible School for children ages 3-12 Dates: August 8-12th, 9:00-11:35 Location: Olijftak Kapel, 35 Leopoldslei, 2930 Brasschaat For Child Registration and Volunteer Information, please visit or contact the VBS director: jaredmbaker@gmail.com or

10 THE RWANDA JAR ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BY BARBARA NOELS Many of you might have noticed the Rwanda Jar sitting next to the coffee pot each Sunday and have wondered about its significance to our parish. For the past several years our parish has been contributing to the education of students at a school in Kabarondo, Rwanda. Rwanda is a poor country of about 8 million people in the heart of Africa. The school was founded by Rachelle Van Looveren, a former teacher at Antwerp International School. In 1981 she went to Rwanda to teach under the sponsorship of a Catholic non-governmental organization. In 1994 a civil war between the Tutsi and Hutu tribes broke out in which hundreds of thousands died. Many children were orphaned, people fled their homes, and all form of government collapsed. Rachelle was forced to flee back home to Belgium, but she was determined to return to help in any way she could. She saw immediately that there was a need for a school for children who have finished elementary school and wanted to continue their education. Along with other Rwandan teachers she started the high school called the Don Bosco Institute. For just 250 per child per year our parish has been able to finance the tuition, room and board for three needy children. Your loose change in the Rwanda Jar is included in our contribution. Our students, Delphine, Rose, Aimable, Jean Marie Vianney, Bernard, Felix, Eric have all finished school and are on their way into higher education or the work world. On the following pages Rachelle gives us reports on our students. Look at their pictures too because they are Africa s future! *************************************************

11 Felix KAYIHURA Felix is finishing his secondary education this year. He is a very conscientious and ambitious student, but very poor indeed. His father used to be a bus driver but lost his job. Lately he has started a small kiosk where he tries to eke out a living by selling some drinks and food items. They live at the outskirts of Kigali: his father, Janvier; his stepmother, Solange; a baby boy and his brother, Freddy who studies as a day student in Kigali. Felix s sister, Nicole, has been adopted by an aunt who pays her school fees. Felix and Nicole get very good results in their studies. Nicole will start her final year in January, the beginning of next school year. The Holy Family Parish has been supporting this young man for the past five years but now Felix will have to face an awkward reality after his exams: there are hardly any jobs available and there is no money for further studies. As so many youngsters, he is dreaming of an opportunity abroad.

12 Eric BUGINGO At the end of 2009, he finished his O-level with success but unfortunately, he didn t get a placement in a state school. He will not be pursuing an academic career but would rather learn a trade. As a young adult 21 years without a family, it was important for him to find a vocational training centre with boarding facilities. We found the place in Kayonza where he is preparing to become a trained bricklayer in 9 months time. He will finish at the end of the month October. His short term training has been expensive but very professional. As there is a lot of building going on in Rwanda, we wish him good luck and hope he will find a job very soon. Some of the gifts will go to buying him some tools to be able to start.

13 Jean de Dieu NIYONKURU Son of a subsistence farmer, who came back to Rwanda after twenty years of exile in Congo, Jean joined our school in He is now finishing his 5 th year and will be starting his final year in He is preparing his A-level exams in the Humanities Section: History, Economics, Entrepreneurship and Geography are his core subjects. On the whole he is working above average and is very determined and also very helpful. He is on my team of assistants for the library: cleaning, tidying, classifying, etc ********************************** Aimable Mukama has finished university Economics and is working at the offices of CARITAS Rwanda, Kigali. Delphine has graduated and after waiting for a long time to find the right job she finally was able to announce she had been accepted by a Chinese Construction Company for the management and public relations sector. Rose Uwimbabazi got married a few months ago. She is working as a saleslady but taking evening courses to obtain a university degree. Jean Marie Vianney Irakoze did his last year over to get better results in his Math-Physics A-Level exams. He improved his results and will start the Kigali Institute of Technology in January.

14 Bernard Ndayizye Bernard is repeating his last year in order to improve his Math-Physics results at the National Exam this year and thus be eligible for a scholarship later on. We wish him good luck.

15 WHO S DOING WHAT IN APRIL Liturgy Readers: 03/04/2011:~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Alan 10/04/2011:~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Samuel 17/04/2011:~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Narrator Alan/ Speaker - Rosanne 24/04/2011:~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Barbara 01/05/2011:~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Rowena Eucharistic Ministers: 03/04/2011:~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Barbara 10/04/2011:~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kath 17/04/2011:~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brigitte 24/04/2011:~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Leo 01/05/2011:~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kath If you have any questions, please contact Rowena Verhees After Mass Bakers 03/04/2011:~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Debbie/Michelle 10/04/2011:~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Maria/Nicola 17/04/2011:~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Olga + Eric 24/04/2011:~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Renée 01/05/2011:~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Debbie/Michelle If you have any questions, please contact Renée Stephan

16 HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE OF EVENTS April 3: The celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation for our First Holy Communion children. April 10: Penitential Service April 17: Palm Sunday Blessing of the palms at the beginning of mass. After mass we will go the Stations of the Cross April 21: We will be once again celebrating the washing of the feet with members of AIP joining in our service. Mass will be at 7:30PM in the chapel. Please mark your calendar for this very special service. April 24: Easter Sunday Mass at 10:30

17 CHILDREN S LITURGY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CLAUDIA CORSINO Dear children's liturgy group, I'm very sorry I cannot come every Sunday to give you lesson (and candies), I'm sure it's disappointing when I'm not there but I can assure you I'm always think about you during church time, I hope you can understand, We will have a special EGG HUNT PARTY, Sunday April 24th after mass Hope to see you there, Love, Claudia LITURGY OF THE WORD FOR CHILDREN Nearly every Sunday we have a special beginning of the Mass with the children ages 4-9.(Those who have not yet made their First Communion) We say the normal prayers of the Mass and the gospel in understandable terms (Q&A, role play, discuss or draw), and return the children at Offertory time. They understand the Mass and the Gospel more easily this way, and Mass is more manageable for them! Right now we could really use some help with leading the group. (If you ve already made your Confirmation, you are eligible to lead!). Preparation is based on a very complete plan, and takes normally only minutes for the week you are scheduled, and you are urged to observe a couple of times before you commit! Just see Claudia to make arrangements to sit in. Thanks!

18 LENT RESOURCES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~OLGA VELEZ : With this web link you can really go there and click on the corresponding links. Lent is a season of repentance and renewal. We turn away from our sinfulness and recommit ourselves to following Jesus. Ignatian contemplation and reflective prayer encourage us in the season of Lent. Below we highlight Ignatian resources for Lent. Online Retreats and Prayers Lunchtime Examen Pause to review your day in the presence of God with this six-session series led by Jim Manney. New prayer presentations will be available on Wednesdays, starting March 9. Other6 Prays Lent Add one simple Lenten prayer practice by joining Other6 Prays Lent. Daily topics help you get in the habit of finding God in different ways this Lent. Praying Lent Creighton University s Online Ministries offers a selection of materials to help people prayerfully enter into Lent, from short prayers to longer reflections and audio retreats. Pilgrimage with Jesus Lent 2011 Weekly podcast for Lent 2011, featuring Fr. James Gartland, SJ, and Fr. Martin Schreiber, SJ. Produced by the Jesuits of the Chicago-Detroit Province. Living Lent Daily Loyola Press features prayers, thoughts, and more each day of Lent. Sacred Space Lent Retreat Sacred Space offers an online Lenten retreat that asks the retreatant to commit to three periods of prayer and reflection each day. Pray-as-you-go Scriptural Stations of the Cross Pray-as-you-go offers a series of ten scripture-based audio meditations in the tradition of the Stations of the Cross. The site also continues its regular daily prayer format for Lent. Online Lenten Retreat The Jesuit Retreat House in Parma, OH, offers this online retreat that runs from February 28-April 30, Days of Deepening Friendship Online Lenten Retreat Join Loyola Press for a Lenten Retreat on the Days of Deepening Friendship blog. This retreat will give participants a chance to reflect on their daily lives and to

19 prayerfully prepare for Holy Week and Easter. The featured book is Here s My Heart, Here s My Hand, by William Barry, SJ. Lenten Video Reflections Almsgiving and Joy During Lent James Martin, SJ, discusses almsgiving and joy in this Lenten season. Fasting and Abstinence During Lent Richard Leonard, SJ, reflects on fasting and abstinence during Lent, incorporating The Lord of the Rings into his reflection. Forgiveness and Lent Paul Coutinho, SJ, offers a video reflection about forgiveness during Lent. Having a Friendship with God this Lent William Barry, SJ, discusses the opportunity to develop your relationship with God during Lent. Holy Week Articles Freedom in the Midst of Suffering: The Meaning of the Passion By Paul Coutinho, SJ The Passion and the cross of Jesus mean two things to Coutinho. The Language of the Cross By Joseph A. Tetlow, SJ Tetlow explores the idea that Jesus passion brings us to embrace the world as it really is. 2 WEBSITES THAT GIVE ME STRENGTH, KNOWLEDGE AND HOPE DAILY (for news and info and choice of Masses) ( my 1st choice for Mass and special features--lenten talks novenas AND it's a Redemptorist monastery church) Kath and

20 Parish Council 2010/2011 Pastor... Fr. Francis Peerlinck frans.peerlinck@scarlet.be President... Samuel Villacian villacian1@yahoo.com Vice President... Alan Barnett Treasurer Brigitte Preuss brigitte.preusz@telenet.be Religious E... Graeme Stephan graemestephan@hotmail.com Parish Registration. Paul Van den Bossche meurope@gmail.com Bulletin... Rosanne Pizzella mswazoo@gmail.com Sunshine Vivianne Staplehurst viv@verijke.com Liturgy...Rowena Verhees rowena.chesworth@gmail.com Children s Liturgy.Claudia Corsino claudiacorsino@yahoo.com Advisor... Barbara Noels librarian@ais-antwerp.be Music...Eric Wouters & Olga Velez... eandohfp@yahoo.com UPCOMING EVENTS: April May 3 rd First Reconciliation for First Communion class 10 th Penitential service. Mass. At 10:30 17 th Palm Sunday. Stations of the Cross after Mass. 21 st 7:30 PM the celebration of Jesus Last Supper with his disciples 24 th Easter Sunday 1 st First Communion practice 8 th First Communion PLEASE SEND ROSANNE ALL SUBMISSIONS FOR THE MAY / JUNE BULLETIN BY APRIL 26TH. THANK YOU!