St. Matthew Parish. 19 Dora Lane, Limerick, Maine

Transcription

1 St. Matthew Parish 19 Dora Lane, Limerick, Maine Tel website: Diocese of Portland Diocesan website: We welcome you to the Catholic Community of St. Matthew and the celebration of the Eucharist. ST. MATTHEW PARISH STAFF: Very Rev. Philip A. Tracy, V. F. Pastor address: Rev. Jack Dickinson, Parochial Vicar address: Deacon Paul Lissandrello, Pastoral Associate address: Heather Silva, Secretary/Bookkeeper address: Deacon Paul Lissandrello, P.C.L. Deacon Paul Lissandrello Altar Server Coord. Gail Libby, Music Director, FINANCE COMMISSION: Henry McKeown Kevin LaFreniere Theresa Harrigan KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS: Jon DiCentes, Grand Knight, BIRTHPLACE HELPLINE: Abortion Alternatives/Project Rachel, WEEKEND MASSES: Saturday at 4:00 p.m. Sunday at 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. WEEKDAY MASSES: 9:00 a.m. - Monday, 8:00 a.m. - Tuesday*, Thursday*, Friday* *Check weekly bulletin for possible time changes. BAPTISMS: Parents who want to have their child(ren) baptized are asked to please call the parish office ( ). WEDDINGS: Anyone planning to get married must call the parish office at least SIX MONTHS PRIOR to the proposed wedding date. CONFESSIONS: Saturday at 3:00 p.m., AND ANYTIME BY APPOINTMENT. NEW PARISHIONERS: Welcome to St. Matthew Parish. Please fill out the Parish Membership Form below and drop it in the collection basket or mail to the parish office. DOMESTIC ABUSE HOTLINE: or PROTECTING GOD S CHILDREN: We joyfully welcome back to the Church any of our brothers and sisters who may have been away. PARISH MEMBERSHIP: Name Address City Zip Code Phone No. Address Check New Registration Updating Info. Change of Address Moving out of Parish

2 ST. MATTHEW CHURCH TODAY IS THE FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME. THE READINGS BEGIN ON PAGE 53 OF THE MISSALETTE. MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEKEND Saturday 4:00 p.m. Patrick & Catherine Tracy by the Family Sunday 8:00 a.m. Thomas & Kathleen Hennessey By The Family 10:30 a.m. Anna Marie Graves by Steve & Gail Libby MASSES FOR THE WEEK Monday 9:00 a.m. Rev. Angelo Apontoli by Constance Cote Tuesday 8:00 a.m. The Lady of the Rosary by Constance Cote MIRACULOUS MEDAL NOVENA Wednesday 8:00 a.m. COMMUNION SERVICE Thursday 8:00 a.m. Souls in Purgatory Friday 8:00 a.m. Souls in Purgatory MASS INTENTIONS NEXT WEEKEND (Feb 9 & 10) Saturday 4:00 p.m. Souls in Purgatory Sunday 8:00 a.m. For the Intentions of the Parishioners 10:30 a.m. Angela DiPietrantonio By Victoria DiPietrantonio Mathies Readings for the Week of February 4, 2018 Sunday: Monday: Jb 7:1-4, 6-7/Ps 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 [cf. 3a]/1 Cor 9:16-19, 22-23/Mk 1: Kgs 8:1-7, 9-13/Ps 132:6-7, 8-10 [8a]/Mk 6:53-56 Tuesday: 1 Kgs 8:22-23, 27-30/Ps 84:3, 4, 5 and 10, 11 [2]/Mk 7:1-13 Wednesday: Kgs 10:1-10/Ps 37:5-6, 30-31, [30a]/Mk 7:14-23 Thursday: 1 Kgs 11:4-13/Ps 106:3-4, 35-36, 37 and 40 [4a]/Mk 7:24-30 Friday: 1 Kgs 11:29-32; 12:19/Ps 81:10-11ab, 12-13, [11a and 9a]/Mk 7:31-37 Saturday: 1 Kgs 12:26-32; 13:33-34/Ps 106:6-7ab, 19-20, [4a]/Mk 8:1-10 Next Sunday: Lv 13:1-2, 44-46/Ps 32:1-2, 5, 11 [7]/1 Cor 10:31--11:1/Mk 1:40-45 The Presence Radio Network Week of Sunday, February 4, 2018 CALLED TO COMMUNION with David Anders Weekdays at 2pm & 11pm Sunday 2pm David Anders is a Catholic catechist, speaker, writer and host of Called to Communion. He grew up in the Presbyterian Church and attended a Protestant college and seminary. During his Ph.D studies in Reformation History, he became persuaded by the truth of the Catholic Faith. This show is a Presence listener favorite!! The Presence Radio is your listener-supported Catholic radio FM in Greater Portland, 90.3 FM in Greater Bangor, 89.7 FM Mid-Coast, 89.5 FM Augusta, 97.5 Fort Kent, 1390AM Northern Maine, FM in Springvale & Sanford Listen online Download the free Presence Radio smartphone app or dial and listen on your cell phone or T-Mobile users dial LIMERICK Please include the following priests serving in our diocese in your daily prayers this week: Feb. 4 Bishop Paul Baltakis OFM Feb. 5 Rev. Albert Roux/V. Rev. Daniel Greenleaf Feb. 6 Rev. D. Joseph Manship/Rev. Arockisamy Santhiyagu HGN Feb. 7 Rev. Apolinary Kavishe AJ/Rev. Brad Morin Feb. 8 Rev. John Mazzei/Rev. John Dickinson Feb. 9 Rev. James Plourde/Rev. Kingsly R. Kothakotta Y. HGN Feb. 10 Rev. Joseph McKenna/Rev. Timothy Nadeau Our priests speak to the faithful with their hearts and their faith. Fill them, Lord, with burning zeal for the conversion of sinners. Ven. Mother Catherine Aurelia, Foundress He told them, "Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come." So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee. - Mk 1:38-39 VOCATION VIEW Everyone is searching for You. If your search for the Lord is leading you to a vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life, contact Father S e a m u s G r i e s b a c h a t ; o r e m a i l : seamus.griesbach@portlanddiocese.org; Website: vocations; Facebook: VocationsME.

3 THE FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME PARISH FINANCES Amount needed weekly to operate parish Offertory 1/21/18 WESHARE Online Giving 1/21/18 JANUARY OFFERTORY AS OF 1/21/18 Church of Latin America 1/21/18 $ 3, $ 3, $ $ 13, $ 1, WHAT SHALL I BRING TO THE LORD, THE GOD OF HEAVEN, WHEN I COME TO WORSHIP HIM? - Micah 6:6 IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROGRAM PROTECTING GOD S CHILDREN In the interest of children s safety, we ask that children not be allowed to leave Mass to use the restrooms downstairs, unless they are accompanied by an adult. Because we are a public building, doors are required to be unlocked, allowing entrance to all. W.I.N.G.S: Meeting Tuesday, February 6, from 7-9:00 PM in the kindergarten room. FMI Please contact Debbie Wentworth by phone at or by at wentworth80@verizon.net COMMUNITY LUNCHEON: Please join us on Tuesday, February 6th, for our Community Luncheon beginning at 11:30 a.m., in the parish hall. Those attending are asked to bring a salad, casserole or dessert. BINGO games for prizes are held after the luncheon. ST. VALENTINE S DAY POT LUCK SUPPER: Everyone is invited to attend a Pot Luck Supper Saturday, Feb. 10, from 4:30-7:00 p.m., in the parish hall. Families welcome. $5.00 per couple/family. There will be a DJ so come enjoy some good music, dancing and great company. The event is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. For questions or to RSVP contact George Harnois at or geogin@roadrunner.com MANDATORY TRAINING FOR CURRENT ALTAR SERVERS All Altar Servers are being asked to attend one of two mandatory training sessions. These sessions will review current practices as well as going over some basic changes. The first session has already taken place. Anyone that did not attend should attend the second session on Saturday, February 10th at 9:30 am. Altar Servers will be meeting with both Fr. Jack and Deacon Paul. This sessions will be no longer then an hour and a half. SCOUTS MASS: February 11 at 8AM will be a Mass to honor those in scouting. They will be invited to participate in the Mass and Father will give them a special blessing. THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS announces an annual $2, scholarship to be awarded to provide financial assistance Saint Matthew's parish students attending parochial high school, secondary trade school, or undergraduate college. The objective of this scholarship is to provide financial assistance to the student who works to the best of his/her academic ability and is involved in supporting school, church, and community activities. Application forms are available in the church office or the Narthex and will be accepted until April 1st. CHILDREN S CHOIR: Youth are invited to participate in Choir for the March 18th Children s Liturgy. Rehearsals will be at 6PM Sunday evenings: Feb. 11 Feb. 18 March 4 March 11 If you have any questions please see the organ or call COME MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE! Pastor s Pondering In this last piece of the reality of relativism in our modern lives, I would like to share some possible responses for a Catholic to someone who may be antagonistic to the faith or disputes our right to comment on a moral situation. A crucial first step is to always focus on God s mercy. Many people lash back when they believe that they are being attacked. This becomes the face of God for some. Jesus central message is that the Kingdom is present. God loves us passionately. God calls us back to him to live in love. The person against us may have only heard or experienced through others a harsh vision of God. They may be struggling mightily in ways that we do not know or appreciate. Others may be embracing a type of relativism because it makes it easier for them to accept some fault in their lives, again, possibly not knowing how much God wants to forgive and heal them. Never be afraid to tell the stories of God s sustaining love. Next, help a person to understand how our actions do matter. If we simply do what we want, other people can be hurt. Edward Sri puts it this way. So we live in constant insecurity, uncertain what our boyfriend/girlfriend, spouse, boss, or friend will do as soon as we re no longer valuable to them or they can get what they are looking for somewhere else.(who am I to Judge, pg105) We place expectations and limits on those we love because we know that they will be hurt by doing whatever they want. We are not made to be lonely and used; we are called to seek life in its fullness with others. Once you have focused on the importance of mercy and love, you can then point out that a person claiming that my opinion/way of life is wrong runs counter to their assertion that the individual is free to believe what they wish. I am now the victim of judgment and intolerance! In the end, we want to assure the other that we are not judging their soul and status with God. We may be pointing out that a particular action/thought, etc is not a healthy choice, but we are doing that out of love and concern, not power and condemnation. After all, there may be some serious places in my life where I fall short of God s expectation. Acknowledging my short comings and helping others to see some of the consequences of their thoughts is often enough to create an atmosphere where a person feels safer in confronting presumptions and ignorance. We can bemoan or ridicule those who do not experience God s love and mercy, who don t understand God s true nature and mission, who have never really been taught to think through slogans and selfish conclusions, or we can be the person who helps them to overcome these obstacles. Valentine s Day this year falls on Ash Wednesday, which is a day of fasting and abstinence. The Bishop will not be dispensing these obligations, so perhaps now is the time to begin planning how you will show your love this year. Deacon Paul recently sent out a letter to faith formation parents asking for feedback as to why attendance at our monthly children s mass has been low recently. While all masses should be inclusive to all parishioners, there are times when gearing a liturgy down to the level of children and encouraging their participation will help them to grow in their relationship with God and appreciation of the beauty of the mass. The greater issue to be addressed is the number of our children (and perhaps older parishioners) who do not attend mass regularly. There seems to be no shortage of competition on Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings to occupy our time. I hope those who receive this letter will consider sharing their realities, conflicts, concerns, issues and ideas, either in writing or in person to Deacon Paul or one of the priests. I invite grandparents and other involved adults or older siblings to take part in the conversation. It may be that our solution is not answering the question being posed to us. Please help us to help our younger parishioners. This year we are in need of help with our St. Patrick s Day Dinner. After many years of faithful service and delicious meal preparation, the Shapiro family is passing the torch. On behalf of the parish I thank them for their service. I had convinced some family and friends to help, but when they discovered that the dinner was actually on the Great Day itself, they informed me that their traditional festivities would not have them in a condition to safely put on a meal. We have a detailed plan of what to purchase, how and when to cook the various elements of a corned beef dinner. We need some cooks and someone willing to oversee the process. Please let Fr. Phil know soon if you are willing and able to help.

4 FEBRUARY 4, 2018 Monthly Potluck for Young Couples Young married and engaged couples are invited to our monthly potluck Thursday, Feb. 8, beginning at 5:30pm. The evening will include a potluck dinner and a time of praise through music. Your children are welcome to join you! This month s potluck will be hosted by Joshua and Pamela Houde at their home in Lyman. Please join us for great fellowship with other couples! The Houdes make their home in the rectory of St. Philip Church in Lyman. The Daughters of Isabella, Our Lady of Fatima Circle 828, of Biddeford, Maine, will be hosting a retreat at Marie Joseph Spiritual Center in Biddeford Pool, Maine, on Saturday, February 10, 2018, from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. The theme for the retreat is How Do You Picture the Face of God - Then and Now? The cost is $15.00, which includes a hot meal. For more information, or if you would like to attend, please contact Elaine Roberge at by February 7 th. Rachel s Vineyard Retreat in Southern Maine (April 27-29) It is normal to grieve a pregnancy loss, including the loss of a child by abortion, and it is okay not to feel okay about an abortion. Come to a Rachel s Vineyard Retreat on April whether you are the mother, father, or relative of the baby. You ll have a private room for two nights and join a handful of others who also want to move beyond the pain. Come experience, through Scripture, God s profound mercy. Preregistration is n e e d e d. F o r g e n e r a l i n f o r m a t i o n, v i s i t w w w. p o r t l a n d d i o c e s e. o r g / p r o j e c t r a c h e l a n d To discuss registration, contact Annette Rioux at annette.rioux@portlanddiocese.org or Judy Shaw at jude23@outlook.com. A Marian Pilgrimage to Fatima, Portugal, and to Lourdes, France, with Bishop Robert P. Deeley Aug. 26-Sept. 4 Join Bishop Robert P. Deeley on a pilgrimage to Fatima and Lourdes! Participants will depart on Sunday, August 26, and return on Tuesday, September 4. The pilgrimage includes a stop in Santarem to visit the Church of the Holy Miracle; a scenic drive to Fatima where you will attend Mass in the Little Chapel of Apparitions, visit the miraculous fountain, and see the grotto where Archangel Michael appeared to the children; a Mass at the Cathedral of St. James in Santiago de Compostela; a stop in Loyola, the birthplace of St. Ignatius, founder of the Society of Jesus; a tour of the beautiful Our Lady of the Rosary Basilica in Lourdes; and an opportunity to go to the miraculous baths in Lourdes, site of many reported miracles. In addition, pilgrims will visit the famous Sandeman & Co. Port Wine Cellar in Oporto and the birthplace of El Cid in Burgos. The tour package includes custom coach bus transportation from Portland to Logan Airport in Boston, roundtrip airfare from Boston to Europe, deluxe coach transportation in Europe, eight nights of hotel accommodations, daily breakfast and dinner, a wine tasting in Oporto, professional guides, admission fees (per itinerary), and more. Price per person (based on double occupancy) is $3,099. To make a reservation deposit or to obtain a copy of the itinerary and further details, contact Teena Dick at Dube Travel by calling (207) or ing her at tdick@dubetravel.com.

5 FEBRUARY 4, 2018 Grades K - 8 Feb. 04 Class 9:15-10:15 am Feb. 11 Class 9:15-10:15 am Grade 9-12 Feb. 04 NO SESSION Feb. 11 Session 6:00-7:30 pm THE BOTTLE RELIEF FUND, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, has gotten even easier. Consider donation your, please save your bottles and cans. For the convenience of parishioners, you can drop your bottles and cans off at JD s Package Store & Redemption, 13 Sokokis Trail, E. Waterboro (across from Hannaford). Let them know they are for St. Matthew Bottle Relief Fund. Those who wish to continue dropping off at the Bottle Shed here at church, may continue to do so. Thank you for all your support. PLEASE HELP SUPPORT OUR FOOD PANTRY St. Matthew Food Pantry is always need of a few items they have a hard time purchasing from Good Shepherd. Would you be willing to donate these items? A collection container can be found in the Narthex. Coffee & Tea Soups Jelly & Jams Spaghetti Sauce Plastic & paper bags are also needed for the Food Pantry. You may leave them in the narthex. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!! The food pantry schedule is as follows: 1st & 3rd Tuesday 10am-12pm 1st Monday 6-7pm 2nd Friday 10am - 12pm **Serving residents of Limerick, Newfield, Parsonsfield or parishioners. Next Week s Second Collection: Improvements. Will be for Capital