Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time February 10, 2019

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1 Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time February 10, 2019 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK Feb. 11 Our Lady of Lourdes Lynwood & Florence Edson by Lorraine Edson Feb. 12 Pasquale Romanella by Angelina Romanella Feb. 13 Maurice Zirrith by Margie Zirrith Feb. 14 Sts. Cyril, Monk & Methodius, Bishop Angela & Joseph DiBella by Robert DiBella Feb. 15 Eucharistic Service Feb. 16 Robert Seifried by Judy Seifried Friday Saturday 4:00 p.m. Sunday Feb. 17 Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 7:30 a.m. Mary & Lawrence Russo by Daughter, Christine Flynn 9:00 a.m. Mary Iovino by Carmela Iovino 11:00 a.m. Ann Marie Pierro by Mom and Dad Candle & Flower Offerings The Sanctuary candle is offered for the People of the Parish. The candle before the Blessed Virgin Mary is offered in loving memory of Maria LaFalce Natale by Marilyn Gregory. The candle before St. Joseph is offered in loving memory of Bill Allen by Janet Mascio. The Sanctuary flowers are offered for Lola Calcagno by Group 4 counters & Rose & Charlie Miller & Joan & Paul Lundy. Statements for your 2018 donations are available upon request. Call the parish office , ext. 15. The Collection amount for the weekend of February 3 rd was $12,799 and the Catholic Press was $1,250. Thank you for your continued support of our parish! PARISH CALENDAR Feb. 12 Buildings and Grounds 9:00am Prayer Shawl 1:30pm Hall RE Monthly Obligation Grades 3-7 6:00-7:30pm Feb. 13 Woman s Faith Sharing 9:00am WoN Valentines Party 12:00pm Feb. 14 Choir Practice 7:30pm Feb. 18 K of C Social 6:30pm Feb. 20 Woman s Faith Sharing 9:00am RE Monthly Obligation Grades 3-7 6:00-7:30pm Baptism Prep 7:30pm Feb. 21 Choir Practice 7:30pm Feb. 22 RE 6 th grade Service Night - Cookie Bake with the WoN 6:00pm in the Hall Feb. 24 Men s Spirituality Group 7:00pm Feb. 26 Prayer Shawl 1:30pm Feb. 27 Woman s Faith Sharing 9:00am RE 2 nd grade Blessing Cup Retreat 5:00pm in the Hall Feb. 28 RE 8 th grade Confirmation Practice 6:00 7:30pm in the Church Choir Practice 7:30pm Daily Readings Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Sunday Is 6:1-2a, 3-8; 1 Cor 15:1-11 or 15:3-8, 11; Lk 5:1-11 Monday Gn 1:1-19; Mk 6:53-56 Tuesday Gn 1:20 2:4a; Mk 7:1-13 Wednesday Gn 2:4b-9, 15-17; Mk 7:14-23 Thursday Gn 2:18-25; Mk 7:24-30 Friday Gn 3:1-8; Mk 7:31-37 Saturday Gn 3:9-24; Mk 8:1-10

2 MESSAGE FROM FATHER ED Dear Family and Friends, The peace of the Lord be with you this day! Last week the emotional roller coaster ride continued with regard to this journey with cancer. Initially, as I reported to you earlier, the radiologist had requested five sessions of radiation of my brain in order to kill any remaining cancerous cells where the tumor was located and to kill the other two lesions on the left and right side of my brain. After my MRI, I was informed that the radiologist decided on just one session of radiation for 90 minutes. I must confess upon hearing this I could only recall cartoon characters from my childhood days with smoke coming out of their ears! A phone call the following Friday from Memorial Sloan Kettering then confirmed an additional 2 more sessions of radiation on Tuesday and Wednesday. I have complete confidence in the team from MSK and am happy to accommodate their request even if it meant traveling into the City for three days. The staff in the radiation department begins treatment by asking what kind of music you request during your treatment. I decided that I needed to get jacked-up for the first 90 minutes of radiation by listening to a favorite artist of mine, Florence and The Machine. To my delight, they actually had this band s music on file. On Tuesday I decided to take a suggestion from one of our parishioner s, Will Doyle, and chill out with a little Steely Dan. Wednesday was all mine and I decided to celebrate the end of radiation with another favorite of mine: Van Morrison! At the conclusion of radiation MSK has a tradition that you ring a bell three times. Perhaps you caught this picture on Facebook or our parish website? I returned to MSK on February 7 th and met with the medical oncologist. The last PET scan showed no further traces of cancer in my body. Unfortunately, my driving privileges have unofficially been suspended by my doctor due to the seizures which I suffered and continue to take medication for on a daily basis. This is a bitter pill to swallow, but I have come to accept that it is intended for my safety and the well-being of others. The commandant, my sister, Maureen, returned to her husband and daughter, work and personal life on February 8 th. Surely, I would be dead without my sister s loving care. St. Francis of Assisi once said, The deeds you do may be the only sermon some people will hear today. My sister Maureen s deeds have preached more than I have in 31 years of Priesthood. She has taught me the true meaning of discipleship: leaving behind family and livelihood, taking up your cross and offering your life in loving sacrifice. I am eternally grateful to my sister and hope and pray this is the LAST time she will need to fly to my side in a time of crisis! I also wish to sincerely thank our Deacons, Religious Sisters and Pastoral Staff for holding things together during my illness. The sign of a wellrun parish is one that continues its life of worship and service despite the absence of a priest. All of you need to be commended on this point. You have ministered to one another in my absence with the affection of brothers and sisters (to steal a line from St. Paul). Daily I have prayed for you. Know that I continue to rely on the power of your prayers as I recuperate from my current illness. Since Ordination I have found great strength and consolation in these words of St. Paul There is only Christ: He is everything and He is in everything. Even cancer. Dear Nativity of Our Lord Parish, Pax, Fr. Ed I would like to say thank you to everyone who has been there for my brother and I during his illness. I truly appreciate all your thoughts and prayers, gifts of food, transportation and friendship. I know my brother is in good hands as he continues in his recovery and gets stronger every day. I can now return to my family and home in Florida knowing my brother will be OK.

3 HIS WORD TODAY by Rev. William J. Reilly Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Woe is me, I am doomed! For I am a man of unclean lips, living among people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts! He touched my mouth and said See now, that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, your sin purged. Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send? Who will go for me? Here I am, I said, send me. The call of the prophet and the new vocation of the fishermen can be the image of the call that Jesus makes for us today. We need to respond to the invitation He graciously gives us, to be sent to announce His message. It is easy for us to make excuses, to hesitate, or even flee. The unclean lips of Isaiah were purified to prepare him for his role. Our own lips are unclean when we use them to criticize, speak ill of others, or complain, or even use bad language. We can use the same tongue to pray, praise and show others His presence in our lives. Peter speaks for us all as he says: but at your command I will lower the nets. What a surprise, leading him to the humble confession depart from me Lord for I am a sinful man. Jesus responds with the familiar phrase Do not be afraid from now on they followed Him. May we identify with Isaiah, seeking what the Lord asks of us. May we leave our tangled nets, acknowledge the Lord s call and forgiveness, and follow Him. SIMPLE SOUP SUPPER A pot of soup brings people together. Join us every Friday in Lent for Simple Soup Supper beginning March 8 to April 12 at 5:30 pm followed by Stations of the Cross at 7 pm. Keep an eye out for rsvp forms in next week s bulletin. Thank you. Community Notice The zoning board will be hearing the expansion request of the Gardens of Monroe on February 13 th. The meeting will take place at 7:00pm in the municipal court room. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION REMINDERS FOR FEBRUARY 2019 February 12 th Monthly obligation - Grades 3-7; 6:00 7:30pm February 20 th Monthly obligation - Grades 3-7; 6:00 7:30pm February 22 nd 6 th grade service night Woman of Nativity Cookie Bake 6:00 9:00 pm February 27 th 2 nd grade Blessing Cup Retreat 5:00 pm in Father Congdon Hall February 28 th 8 th grade Confirmation Practice 6:00 7:30pm in the church. CHURCH ACTIVITIES For our trip in March, we are planning to go the Brownstone House of Patterson, NJ on March 19 th for the Feast of St. Joseph. Included in the cost of $83.00 pp is bus transportation, complete family style luncheon consisting of salad, pasta, chicken parmigiana, sausage and peppers, roasted potatoes, vegetables, rolls and focaccia, special dessert, coffee, tea and soda. Two complimentary drinks are included; also, taxes and meal gratuity. A live band for dancing, entertainment and some surprises will make for a fun-filled day. Please make checks out to NATIVITY CHURCH ACTIVITIES. Departure from the rear of the church parking lot would be 9:30am. Please arrive by 9:15am. Departure from the restaurant would be about 3:30pm. If you would like to go, please call Janet Mascio at as soon as possible as time is short to firm up this reservation Bishop s Annual Appeal Help Build a Civilization of Love Please watch your mailbox for a letter from Bishop Checchio coming to you this week announcing the 2019 Bishop s Annual Appeal. The campaign will again be conducted during Lent and our parish can earn a rebate of 50% of the amount collected over Through your support of the Bishop s Annual Appeal you help those in our diocese whose needs are the greatest the poor, the homeless, and those struggling with illness or grief. Among other needed pastoral ministries, your gift also supports our Cultural Diversity Ministries and enhances the work of forming our youth. The many pastoral, educational and charitable ministries of the Diocese of Metuchen would not be possible without a generous contribution from every household.

4 LENTEN 2019 SCHEDULE ASH WEDNESDAY March 6, 2019 Mass 8:30AM; 12 Noon; 7:00PM STATIONS OF THE CROSS FOLLOWED BY ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT Fridays 7:00PM March 8, 15, 22, 29, April 5, 12, 19 MORNING PRAYER Tuesdays and Thursday 8AM WOMEN S FAITH SHARING Wednesdays 9:00-10:30AM SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Parish Penance Service Wednesday, April 10 7:00PM HOLY THURSDAY April 18 Mass of the Lord s Supper 7:00PM Adoration at the Repository until 10:00PM Sung Compline 10:00PM GOOD FRIDAY April 19 Liturgy of the Lord s Passion and Death 3:00PM Prayer at the Cross 7:00PM HOLY SATURDAY April 20 Blessing of Easter Food 12 Noon Great Vigil of Easter 7:30PM EASTER SUNDAY April 21 Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord 7:30 AM 9:00 AM 11:00 AM

5 PARISH MINISTRIES Celebrate the Feast of: St. Joseph and St. Patrick s Day Saturday March 16 th 5:30 PM in Fr. Congdon Hall Music DJ 50/50 Raffle $25.00 per person Children 16 and under $10.00 (under 6 years old Free) Pasta Bolognese, Roasted Chicken Corned Beef and Cabbage, Potatoes, Shepherd s Pie, Irish Soda Bread Beer, Wine, Refreshments, Coffee, Tea & Dessert St. Joseph s Pastry & Pistachio Cake Feel free to BYOB and a traditional dessert to share. th ****** ****** RSVP by March 10 Call or Ini Udom or iniudoms@gmail.com Please list names and place this stub and check in K of C Drop-Box located in the Narthex. Make checks payable to the Knights of Columbus # Total Amount enclosed: (Please put age of child next to name) St. Vincent De Paul Society: If you are experiencing financial hardship due to a temporary loss of employment, illness, or disability, the St. Vincent de Paul Society is available to provide assistance for your everyday needs such as food, utility assistance, or agency referrals. Please dial the parish number , then press 8, and leave a message with your name and phone number. Someone will return your call. All calls are handled in strict confidence. Food Pantry: After all you have given, just be your usual generous selves. We thank you. Prayer Shawl: Our next get-together is Tuesday February 12 th at 1:30 pm in the church hall. Join us as we create shawls for the sick and homebound members of the parish (and beyond!) New members are always welcome. Questions? Call Dorothy Kopil at or Liz Coulston at Caring Meals: The Caring Meals group delivers soup year-round to our homebound parishioners and provides short-term help to parishioners who are recuperating from an illness or hospital stay with deliveries of home-cooked meals. If you like to cook or know of someone who could benefit from either of these two services, please call Maryanne Sheerin at Helping Hands: Do you need a helping hand with minor tasks around the house? There are parishioners who are willing to help in these situations. Please contact Esther Wolff by phone at Rosary Group: Please join us every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7:50 a.m. to recite the Holy Rosary. We are seated at the right side of the church near the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Name: Name: Name: Name: This event is hosted by the Knights of Columbus on behalf of our Parish. We look forward to seeing you! Mother Seton Regional HS One Valley Rd., Clark, NJ PARENTS GUILD ANNUAL GIFT AUCTION Friday, March 1, 2019 doors open 5:30 p.m. - Admission: $25 Reserve your table at giftauction@motherseton.org The Future is Hers