Michael the First Sunday of Lent March 5, 2017 Rev. Fr. Dale Branson

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1 Michael the First Sunday of Lent March 5, 2017 Rev. Fr. Dale Branson TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy it; you may even find yourselves fighting against God. Acts 5:38b-39b Weekend Mass Schedule Saturday Vigil - 4pm Sunday - 8 am & 10:00 am Parish Center N Apollo Dr. Florence, AZ Daily Mass Schedule Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday - 8:30am at the Parish Center Confessions before Mass or upon request Adora on at 9:00am on Saturdays Mailing Address 270 E. Hunt Hwy Ste. 16 #328 San Tan Valley, AZ Parish Office N. Poseidon Rd. Florence, AZ Phone: (520) Fax: (520) Parish Office Hours 9:00 am - 4:30 pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in various forms of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Some people suggest that this recovers an ancient tradition in the church, when in fact the practice belongs to a later time. The custom of showing the consecrated host to the people, encased in a vessel called a monstrance, developed in a period of history when even very pious people received Communion only rarely. The opportunity to see the host raised high above the head of the priest at Mass, or to see the host exposed outside of Mass, was thought by many to be a form of spiritual Communion. Without question, our Catholic practice of reserving the consecrated host both for adoration and Communion of the sick and dying is a cherished tradition. Over the next few weeks, we ll look at how these traditions developed and how the Church envisions reservation and adoration today. We do this by the light of the liturgical reforms that have restored a heightened appreciation for how receiving the Body and Blood of Christ is central to our worship. Perpetual Adoration, Reservation, Benediction, and Reposition are all part of the Catholic vocabulary. Often the terms are misused, and a tangled history as well as widely varying practices in our parishes adds to the confusion. Many Catholics today have never participated in Benediction, or even spent time in adoration on Holy Thursday night. There s plenty of interesting history, much of it surprising and challenging, and we will do our best to inform you along the way. Rev. James Field, copyright J. S. Paluch Co. Are you new to St. Michael the Archangel Church? We welcome you and we ask that you please take a few moments to register. Registra on forms are located at the Greeters Table or can now be found and submi ed online. Visit our website and click on the link, Parish Registra on Form, found at the bo om of the home page and follow the instruc ons.

2 Sacramental Policies ANOINTING OF THE SICK At the 8:30am Mass on the first Friday of each month or by appt. BAPTISM Parents will need to provide a copy of the child s birth certificate and participate in a class. Baptismal Classes are held on the 2nd Saturday of the month at 11 am in the Church office. Parents must call the church office to register for the class. Godparents must be practicing Catholics who are confirmed and married in the Church, if married. CONFESSION Confessions are offered one-half hour before all Masses, or anytime upon request. CONFIRMATION Confirmation will be given students in 8 th grade or above. They must have completed the 8 th grade religious education class and optimally the 7 th as well. Sponsors must be practicing Catholics who are already confirmed and married in the Church, if married. Parents should not be sponsors for their own children. For information on Confirmation preparation for adults please contact the pastor. FIRST HOLY COMMUNION First Holy Communion will be offered to children in Grade 2. Children must attend CCD regularly throughout Grade 2 in order to receive the Sacrament in May of that year. Students will also be prepared for the Sacrament of Reconciliation in Grade 2. MARRIAGE Both parties are expected to participate in the preparation program. Parties must notify the pastor at least one year prior to their proposed marriage date. Please meet with the pastor for a fuller explanation and to make arrangements. QUINCEANERAS St. Michael the Archangel Parish does not have Quinceaneras at this time. Readings for the Week Monday: Lv 19:1-2, 11-18; Ps 19:8-10, 15; Mt 25:31-46 Tuesday: Is 55:10-11; Ps 34:4-7, 16-19; Mt 6:7-15 Wednesday: Jon 3:1-10; Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19; Lk 11:29-32 Thursday: Est C:12, 14-16, 23-25; Ps 138:1-3, 7c-8; Mt 7:7-12 Friday: Ez 18:21-28; Ps 130:1-8; Mt 5:20-26 Saturday: Dt 26:16-19; Ps 119:1-2, 4-5, 7-8; Mt 5:43-48 Sunday: Gn 12:1-4a; Ps 33:4-5, 18-20, 22; 2 Tm 1:8b-10; Mt 17:1-9 Mass Intentions March 4 8:30 am Lorriane Cook March 4 4:00 pm Gary Huff March 4 4:00 pm Nancy Forgy March 5 8:00 am Pro Populo March 5 10:00 am Lorriane Cook Pro Populo - La n: for the people - Deceased To request a Mass Inten on, please call the rectory. ST. MICHAEL THE MINISTRIES & ALTAR SERVERS Reajean Porter, Jeff Flanagan Bert Pampanin altarserver@stmichaels77.org, (480) Leave Message BULLETIN bulletin@stmichaels77.org (520) CCD Reajean Porter CCD@stmichaels77.org (480) Leave Message COMPLIANCE COORDINATOR Sue Stonerook, sstonerook@live.com (602) Mary Teese, maryteese@cox.net EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS Virginia Bombolino, ginbaby2003@aol.com, (480) GREETERS Ann Kolb annkolb95@gmail.com (480) HOMEBOUND MINISTRY Patricia DeStefano patriciad333@yahoo.com LECTORS Suzanne Baitinger lectors@stmichaels77.org (480) MUSIC Diana Albert, Dialbert2@aol.com, (480) PARISH SECRETARY/NOTARY PUBLIC Misty Landavazo, secretary@stmichaels77.org (520) PASTOR Rev. Fr. Dale A. Branson, pastor@stmichaels77.org, (520) PRAYER CHAIN Virginia Bombolino, ginbaby2003@aol.com (480) RCIA Bob Butchko, Bob.butchko@centurylink.net (480) RED HAT MICHAELETTES Sue Baitinger, redhats@stmichaels77.org; (480) TEEN YOUTH GROUP Diana Albert, teens@stmichaels77.org (480) SACRISTANS Polly Von Esse, pvonesse@aol.com (520) USHERS Darrell Stonerook, sstonerook@live.com (602) WEBMASTER Craig Rudko webmaster@stmichaels77.org (480) PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL: Diana Albert, Sue Baitinger, Bob Butchko, Virginia Bombolino, Ann Kolb, Reajean Porter, Bert Pampanin, Craig Rudko, Darrell Stonerook, Mary Teese, Polly Von Esse & Patricia DeStefano Pastoral Council meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month & all are welcome to attend.

3 Contribu ons for February 19, 2017 Parish Offertory $4, Building Fund $ Building Fund - Books $ Capital Campaign $2, Missale es $7.00 Needy of San Tan Valley $1, Total $9, Contribu ons for February 26, 2017 Parish Offertory $5, Prayer Requests Do you know someone who needs prayers to comfort and strengthen them? If so please contact Virginia Bombolino Phone: ginbaby2003@aol.com All requests are private. Building Fund $ Building Fund - Books $ Capital Campaign Pledges Amount Pledged $1,116, Amount Paid $648, Pledge Balance $468, BAPTISM CLASS The next Baptism Class for Parents and God Parents will be held Capital Campaign $1, Ash Wednesday $70.00 Needy of San Tan Valley $25.00 March 11th, at 11am in the Parish Office. Please call the church office to Total $8, register for the class. The class will not be held if no one has registered. MASS ATTENDANCE 1068 people attended Mass February 26th, 2017 Online Giving If you would like to give online please visit our website, and select the Online Giving tab. Please note - If you have made a pledge to the Capital Campaign & are making a payment, please write Capital Campaign in the memo field. of your check. Thank you END OF YEAR STATEMENT If you would like to request an end of the year statement for 2016, please call Misty in the of ice at (520) , or send your request via to secretary@stmichaels77.org. Statements will only be sent to those who request one.

4 CCD Weekly Announcements March 5, 2017 Weeks at a Glance March 7, 2017 Tuesday SAC Class 5:30 CCD 6:30 7:30 DUE DATES March 7 th, Tuesday March 12, 2017 Sunday Student Offertory Presenters for 10:00am Mass are: Cali Anderson Vincent Bradeen Ty Carlos Noah Stegner(W) First Holy Communion Name on Certificates Confirmation Name on Certificates March14, 2017 Tuesday NO CCD Spring Break Confirmation Sponsor Forms March 19, Sunday Student Offertory Presenters for 10:00am Mass are: Knox Morey Toby Gurrola Anthony Mariscal Nathaniel Bedoya (W) March 21, 2017 Tuesday Confirmation Letter to Bishop Mr. Andy will collect in class April 11 th, Tuesday NO CCD Spring Break First Holy Communion Banners Lent Is a time, as Catholics, to prepare for a very holy day, the Resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. For 40 days from Ash Wednesday we pray, we fast, we abstain from eating certain foods on Friday, and we give up something special to remember that Jesus gave up his life as a sacrifice for our sins.

5 Sunday, March 5, 2017 First Sunday of Lent Correction for Safe Environment This is a correction on the information in last week s bulletin: If you are an adult volunteer with high clearance (counters, teachers, youth minister, homebound) you need to renew your Diocese clearance within 90 days of your expiration date. If you are past the 90 days you need to fill out the paperwork and have your fingerprints retaken. ALL adult volunteers need to renew the parish safe environment training every three years. Volunteers under the age of 18 and school age need to have the training every year. Contact the compliance coordinator if you are unsure of your expiration date. The next Safe Environment class will be held after the 10:00 AM Mass on March 11, Do you need ice? We have 5 lbs. bags of ice for sale for $2.00. It is getting warmer soon and it will be hard for some refrigerators to make enough ice. Buy your extra ice at the Greeters table. Grandma Recipes What was your favorite thing to eat at Grandma s house? Why not put it in our parish cookbook? Any recipes you have can be turned in at the Greeters table at any time. Reminders for Lent Stations of the Cross will be held after the 8:30 AM Mass on Fridays. Adoration is held after the 8:30 AM Mass on every Saturday. Daily Mass is at 8:30 AM every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.

6 Discovering hope and joy in the Catholic faith. One Minute Meditations Not the old life When Jesus rose from the dead, he didn t just resume his old life; he was given a new and glorious life. That is what awaits all those who follow him. Ashes to ashes To ancient Jews, wearing sackcloth and sitting in ashes showed repentance and humility, and acted as a penance. Today, wearing the ashes of Ash Wednesday is meant to show our repentance but also acts as a witness of our faith. Take the opportunity to explain the practice when others ask why you wear the ashes. A prayer for Lent God of all mercy and steadfast love, we do not always live the way you want us to. Forgive us. Help us during this season of Lent to examine how we can be more faithful followers of Jesus Christ, your son. Guide us in our pilgrimage of discipleship. May our words and actions truly reflect your will for us. Amen. Copyright 2017 Success Publishing & Media, LLC - all rights reserved FAITH Growing in The Essential Catholic Prayer Book, Liguori Publications. Why do we begin the holy season of Lent with ashes on our foreheads a sign of repentance? Throughout the year we have turned from God in many small ways and perhaps significant ones, too. While God respects the freedom he has given us as his children, he urges us to come back to him to reconcile. Our wise Father knows that it s the only way we can be truly happy. The Church has identified three tools we can use to make our Lenten journey back to God more effective: prayer, fasting and almsgiving. These tools will help us to clear the static in our connection to God and help us take our places as his true children. Prayer When you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you (Matthew 6:6) Conversational prayer. All relationships need nurturing even our relationship with God. It is in prayer that we can confide our deepest desires, hurts, and needs. It is in prayer that we discern God s voice. Especially during Lent, make time every day to talk to God and grow in love with him. Remember, he finds everything about you interesting Special Lent Edition St. Michael the Archangel Parish - San Tan Valley Rev. Fr. Dale A. Branson Three ways to return to God during Lent Community prayer. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them (Matthew 18:20). Praying in a group not only brings God into your circle, it also makes members aware of the needs and concerns of others who may be outside the circle. The Rosary prayer. The Rosary is a time-honored way to pray to Jesus and to focus on the mysteries of his life, death, and Resurrection. This year why not make the Rosary your Lenten prayer? If time is limited, pray a decade at a time and watch them add up by the end of the day. Consider offering a special Rosary for the souls in Purgatory or for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. The Stations of the Cross prayers. Walking the Stations of the Cross is a powerful way to pray during Lent. If your parish doesn t offer a Stations of the Cross prayer service as a community, take a few moments each week to stop and meditate at each of the Stations displayed in your church. Reflect on Jesus journey from judgment to burial. Private Eucharistic prayer. Praying before the Eucharist is one of the most sacred places to pray. Consider arriving for Mass early to spend extra time in prayer before the tabernacle.

7 Growing in Faith TM Special Lent Edition 2017 Page 2 Fasting When you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you (Matthew 6:17-18). Fasting from food. Voluntary fasting from food strengthens our skill of self denial. It is difficult and can be uncomfortable but it reminds us of Jesus suffering. Plus, fasting leaves an open space we can fill with God s spirit. Prayerful fasting can increase our hunger and thirst for God. Fasting from bad habits. We all have areas in our lives we need to change. Maybe we watch too much television, shop too much, eat too much or drink too much. Too much of anything is an unhealthy distraction from our relationship with God and throws our lives out of balance. By fasting, we deny our own wants and open up space for what God wants. Plus, we become less wrapped up in ourselves and instead have the opportunity to focus on the needs of others. Fasting from luxury. For many of us, putting food on the table or buying new clothing when we need it is not a huge concern. That s not true for many people in our own communities who need our help to get even the basics. To understand what that is like, research an impoverished nation to see what people there eat in a typical day. Then spend a day eating the same foods in the same quantities. Fasting from excess. Many of us have clothing, books, toys, or even household items in perfectly good shape that we don t need or use. Instead of letting the excess build up, donate what you don t use to a local charity. Then try to go the entire season of Lent without buying anything new that isn t a necessity. Almsgiving When you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you (Matthew 6:3-4) Gimme 5. Many organizations like Catholic Relief Services or Catholic Charities can do a great deal of good with just $5. During Lent, whenever you have a $5 bill, consider putting it into a jar. This includes $5 bills you receive in change at the grocery store, the bank, the gas station, or even if you find one in your pocket. Add it to the jar. At Easter, donate what you ve collected to a relief organization and know that it will be put to great use. Donate your labor. Money isn t always the answer. Many of the poor need services they can t afford. If you can paint, cook, or do carpentry, donate some time to assist an agency or person in need. Your parish or diocese may already have just such a ministry that you can join. Offer mercy. Do one or more of the Corporal Works of Mercy: feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, visit the imprisoned, and bury the dead. Or, consider the Spiritual Works of Mercy: admonish the sinner, instruct the ignorant, counsel the doubtful, bear wrongs patiently, forgive injuries, and pray for the living and the dead. Open their eyes. During Lent, you can help a child to read, an adult to succeed in his job, a senior maintain her independence just by donating your old eyeglasses. Lions Clubs International has a nationwide program to recycle eyeglasses and provide sight to low-income people who need it. To find a recycling center in your area, call the Lions Clubs at or visit the website: Q & A I want to pray more, especially during Lent, but it s hard to concentrate. What can I do? Ever wonder how you can be riveted by a cheap novel or mindless TV show for hours, but spend no more than a few minutes in prayer before your mind wanders? Believe it or not, distractions can be useful in enriching prayer life. Our minds wander to those things that are really important to us. We might as well admit to them and make them a part of our prayer. For example, if your mind wanders while praying, bring it back to the point of your prayer... Lord, thank you for the beautiful gift of my home and its comfort. Of course, I better clean out the gutters or the roof will leak all over the furniture. That would be bad, even if the furniture isn t as nice as my neighbor s. They have so much money. But forgive me Lord for feeling envy, and help me to be grateful for what I have. Also help me to show my neighbors the love of Christ, the only possession worth having. And so on. The idea is to acknowledge the distraction and ask God s help in overcoming its source. Then use it as a tool to get back on track. Think of prayer as a conversation between two people who love each other. So there is no one right way to pray. As in any loving relationship, it is most rewarding when you talk to your loved one as often as possible. Pope John Paul II said, Pray any way you like, so long as you do pray. God is always ready to listen. Remember, prayer is not a rigid routine we have to get right. It s a conversation with someone we love who loves us back. Our Mission To provide practical ideas that promote faithful Catholic living. Success Publishing & Media, LLC Publishers of Growing in Faith TM and Partners in Faith TM (540) (540) fax (Unless noted Bible quotes and references are from the Revised Standard Version and the New American Bible - Revised) Copyright 2017 Success Publishing & Media, LLC - all rights reserved

8 Lent 2017 St. Michael the Archangel Parish - San Tan Valley Rev. Fr. Dale A. Branson Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Lent is the liturgical season of forty days which begins with Ash Wednesday and ends with the celebration of the Paschal Mystery (Easter Triduum). Lent is the primary penitential season in the Church s liturgical year, reflecting the forty days Jesus spent in the desert in fasting and prayer (Catechism of the Catholic Church). 1 2 Start a prayer book 3 It is our Christian 4 Ash Wednesday Attend an Ash Wednesday liturgy and wear the cross of ashes for the rest of the day. and record those for whom you pray or for what you pray. Also keep track of how God answers your prayers. responsibility to abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent as a form of penance. 5 After Mass, pick one thing 6 Pick a charity to Despite suffering deep 10 In today s busy world, 11 that prevents you from loving God with all your heart soul [and] mind (Matthew 22:37). Resolve to conquer it this Lent. which you would like to donate and set up a donations jar in your home. Try to fill it by the end of Lent. Make a list of ways to simplify your lifestyle to make more room for God. Improve your spiritual vision: resolve to go the whole day without judging or criticizing anyone. losses, St. Frances of Rome trusted God would work things out. Entrust your worries to God, knowing he will take care of them. older people who have become less active tend to be overlooked. Visit a senior you know, take them out to lunch and just listen Find an unfamiliar term 14 Support your Consider making 17 St. Patrick s Day St. 18 Offer going to Mass today for someone you know is going through a rough time or facing a difficult challenge. in the glossary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and read about it until you explain it to someone else. parish s special Lent collections, whether it is the Bishop s Lenten campaign, Operation Rice Bowl or a mission collection. Resolve to say (and think) only positive things about yourself today. today a day of fasting between meals. When you feel tempted to snack, remind yourself of those for whom hunger isn t a choice. Patrick was influential in evangelizing Ireland. In his honor, evangelize by wearing a sign of your faith. 19 After Mass today, Read today s Gospel Attend a Stations of 25 go out for coffee or breakfast with other parishioners from your parish. St. Joseph was a man of action; what God said, he did. Resolve today to fulfill your responsibilities without complaining. Deny yourself something you would like to buy. Give the money you have saved to the poor. reading, Matthew 5: Write down two things you learned and keep it with you throughout the day. Spread joy. Smile at everyone you meet, regardless of how you feel. the Cross service if your parish offers one. If not, find them here: www. usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/ devotionals/stations-of-the-cross/ 26 Laetare Sunday! 27 Take stock of your Clean your closet of 31 April 1 Make today special. Invite friends and neighbors over for a potluck brunch to celebrate the midpoint of Lent. Lenten sacrifices and renew your commitment to them. Do a thorough Examination of Conscience, using the Ten Commandments and the eight beatitudes as a guide. Browse a Catholic bookshop and find a good book to read during the rest of Lent. clothes you no longer need. Donate gently used items that you no longer wear to charity. Observe a reverential silence from noon to 3pm out of respect for the three hours Jesus hung on the Cross Instead of focusing on 6 Fill a small Easter 7 Jesus, truly present in 8 Read one of the seven penitential psalms (Psalm 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143) each day this week. Today s Gospel narrates the important events of Holy Week. Place yourself in the scene and walk through Holy Week with our Lord. Pick a day this week and attend daily Mass. It may mean getting up earlier than usual, but it will be worth it. Lent is a stressful time of year for priests. Offer to perform some act of service for your parish. Ask at the rectory for suggestions. unanswered prayers, recall what God has already done for us. Make a list of all you re grateful for; it comes from God. basket with treats and give to a friend. If appropriate, include a prayer card, a rosary, a religious book. the Eucharist, waits for us in the tabernacle of every Catholic church. Make time to visit with him, if only for a little while Holy Thursday 14 Good Friday is a 15 Tonight and every night this week, say an extra prayer for those entering the Church this Holy Saturday March Take a walk and look for signs of new life. Try to read an entire Gospel in one sitting. celebrates the Last Supper, when Jesus instituted the Eucharist and the priesthood. Celebrate by going to church tonight. day of fasting and abstinence. Read and compare all four Gospel accounts of the passion and death of Jesus. St. Casimir was a prince of Poland who used his power for God s interests rather than worldly ones. Ask for the grace to put God s interests first today. Today, pick one or two things on your to-do list that you ve been putting off and do them. Offer them up for your prayer intentions. Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, taught to St. Faustina to help repair the hurt caused by sin. Find it at Today celebrates Mary s Yes to God, when she agreed to become the mother of Jesus. Pray for the courage to respond faithfully to whatever God asks. Attend a Reconciliation Service or go to Confession on your own. Make a sincere confession and experience God s forgiveness. Start spring cleaning for Easter. Vacuum, dust, and straighten the rooms of the house you use the most to prepare for Jesus resurrection. Our Lenten sacrifices end with Lent, but our efforts to seek God don t have to. Pick an Easter challenge to continue to help grow closer to God. copyright 2017 Success Publishing & Media, LLC