Church of Saint Philip Neri Pennsburg, PA March 17, 2019

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1 Church of Saint Philip Neri Pennsburg, PA March 17, 2019 Rev. Robert A. Roncase, Pastor Deacon Michael J. Franks Deacon Patrick J. Kennedy Deacon Mark J. Meinzer, Retired Rev. Edmond J. Speitel, Pastor Emeritus Rev. John J. Scarcia, Pastor Emeritus Locke Highleyman, Business Manager Shirley Misiak, Office Manager Catherine E. Faust, Director of Music Wendy Benner, Coordinator of PREP/Religious ED Joan Lampart, Coordinator of Parish Outreach Tom Dewees, Director Catholic Family Life Center Anita Fuhs, Youth Minister Parish Phone Numbers: Rectory Youth Ministry Religious Education/PREP Catholic Family Life Center Parish Hall Parish Outreach Fax Numbers: Rectory Religious Education/PREP Catholic Family Life Center Church & Rectory Address: 1325 Klinerd Rd; Pennsburg Hours: 9:30 AM 4:30 PM Address: Website Address: Parish Outreach Religious Education Office Hours: 26 E. Sixth Street, East Greenville, PA Monday & Friday: Offices are closed Tuesday and Thursday: 8:00 AM 4:00 PM Wednesday: 12:00 PM 8:00 PM address: Neri Center Address 575 Main Street, East Greenville, PA Catholic Family Life Center Address 26 E. Sixth Street, East Greenville, PA address: Website Address: Youth Ministry Office hours: (East Greenville) Tuesday & Thursday: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm Wednesday: 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm address: youthministry@spnparish.org ROSARY: Prayed in the Chapel Monday s at 1:00 PM EUCHARISTIC ADORATION in St. Anne Chapel Monday Friday: 9:00 am - 7:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM FIRST FRIDAY 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM followed by Benediction. FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS For a floral arrangement to be placed at the altar, please call the rectory. SUNDAY MASS SCHEDULE Saturday Vigil Mass 5:00 PM Sunday 7:30 AM; 10:00 AM Holy Day Masses as announced WEEKDAY MASS SCHEDULE - St. Anne Chapel The Chapel is open Monday thru Saturday until 7:00 PM for your visits to the Blessed Sacrament. Daily Mass is celebrated in the Chapel attached to the rectory: NO Communion Service or Mass on Monday s. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday - 8:00 AM CONFESSIONS Saturdays: 4:00 4:45 PM or: at the Rectory BY APPOINTMENT. BAPTISMS: Please call the Rectory to schedule. 2 nd Sunday Baptisms are held at the 10 AM Mass 3 rd Sunday Baptisms are held at 11:30 AM SPONSORS: Sponsors for Baptism and Confirmation need to be at least 16 years of age, be baptized and receive the Sacraments of Communion and Confirmation, attend Mass weekly, and if married, be in a valid Marriage. PRE-JORDAN CLASSES Call the Rectory Office to schedule. MARRIAGES Arrangements should be made at least SIX MONTHS before the date of the wedding. NEW PARISHIONERS Stop by or call the rectory between 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM Also, children who turn 26 years of age or complete higher education and continue to reside within our area should become individually registered parishioners. SHUT-INS Call the Parish Outreach Office. SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK Call the Rectory Office.

2 OUR PARISH MISSION STATEMENT We are the Catholic Parish Community of St. Philip Neri, answering Christ's call to discipleship through Word, Sacrament and Service. We proclaim God's hope and love to all. HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE 2019 Palm Sunday (April 14) Easter Sunday (April 21) April 13 - Saturday Confessions in Church: 3:30 PM 4:45 PM April 14 - Palm Sunday Vigil: 5:00 pm Palm Sunday: 7:30 am 10:00 am April 15 - Monday 6:30 am - Communion Service in Chapel 6:00 pm - Mass in Chapel April 16 - Tuesday 6:30 am - Communion Service in Chapel 8:00 am - Mass in Chapel April 17 - Wednesday 6:30 am - Communion Service in Chapel 8:00 am - Mass in Chapel April 18 - Holy Thursday No Communion Service or morning Mass 7:00 pm - Mass of the Lord s Supper - Church NO Adoration April 19 - Good Friday No Mass today No Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Chapel open until 3:00 PM for Adoration without Exposition. 7:00 pm - Reading of the Passion, Veneration of the Cross and Holy Communion in Church. April 20 - Holy Saturday No Morning Mass or Adoration 10:00 am - Decorating the Church for Easter 12:00 pm - Blessing of Easter Food 7:00 pm - Easter Vigil Mass April 21 - Easter Sunday 7:30 am - Mass in Church 10:00 am - Mass in Church Lent Stations of the Cross and Benediction Schedule: Date Time Services/Location Friday, Mar 12 PM Stations & Benediction 8th Chapel Friday, 7 PM Stations & Benediction Mar 15th Church Friday, 7 PM Stations & Benediction Mar 22nd Church Wednesday, 10 AM Stations & Benediction Mar 27th Church Friday, 7 PM Stations & Benediction Mar 29th Church Friday, 12 PM Stations & Benediction Apr 5 Chapel Friday, 7 PM Stations & Benediction Apr 12 Church Serving at Mass March 24 Extraordinary Ministers Lectors 5:00 PM Claire Holcombe J. Warnas Janet Kendra D. Croke Priest Deacon Dave Moser Trudy Moser 7:30 AM Lori Brozena C. Mullaney Mary R. Giambrone E. Quatrani Priest Deacon Mike Misiak Barbara Jaruszewski Maureen Moser Paul Moser Joan Pongia Chuck Rodgers Jan Valeriano Mary Weber 10:00 AM Joshua Hewitt D. McCausland Lillian Hewitt M. Gehringer Priest Deacon Rose Anderson Mary E. Paulk EARLY TRANSMISSION SCHEUDLE Bulletin announcements for Easter Sunday, April 21 st, must be submitted to the rectory office no later than Monday, April 8 th.

3 March 17, 2019 Second Sunday of Lent Monday, March 18, Saint Cyril of Jerusalem 6:30 AM Communion Service in Chapel 8:00 AM Josef Schnell, (Adam Dickmann) 6:00 PM Josephine Cain 9:00 AM 5:00 PM Adoration in the Chapel Tuesday, March 19, Saint Joseph Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary 6:30 AM Communion Service in Chapel 8:00 AM Beverly Latshaw, (Rita Latshaw) 9:00 AM 7:00 PM - Adoration in the Chapel Wednesday, March 20 6:30 AM Communion Service in Chapel 8:00 AM Anna Amato 9:00 AM 7:00 PM Adoration in the Chapel Thursday, March 21 6:30 AM Communion Service in Chapel 8:00 AM Fred DiMeo, (Tom & Irene Putera) 9:00 AM 7:00 PM Adoration in the Chapel Friday, March 22 6:30 AM Communion Service in Chapel 8:00 AM Anthony Bucci, (Dottie & Daniel Kerr) 9:00 AM 7:00 PM Adoration in the Chapel 7:00 PM Stations of the Cross in Church Saturday, March 23, Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo 10:00 AM 4:00 PM Adoration in the Chapel 5:00 PM For all Living and Deceased Members of the Parish. March 24, 2019 Third Sunday of Lent 7:30 AM Anna Amato, (Bob & Dawn Ellis) 10:00 AM Gene Arnao, (Tony & Dolores Arnao) FIRST FRIDAY April 5th is First Friday. Mass is 9:00AM in the Saint Anne Chapel. Stations of the Cross will be at 12PM followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in Chapel from 1PM-7PM. Please commit to spend some time with our Lord at the Blessed Sacrament. WE INVITE YOUR PRAYERS For the sick, those in hospitals, nursing homes, also for their caregivers; and all those we hold close in our hearts. Please pray in particular for: Michael Quigley. For those who have died, grant them eternal rest and peace. PARISH NEWS SUNDAY COLLECTIONS March 11, 2018 March 10, 2019 Envelopes: $ 5, $ 5, Online: 1, , Loose: Children: Total: $ 7, $ 7, Special: Latin America $ SPECIAL COLLECTIONS March 2019 Ash Wednesday; Latin America and 100 th Anniversary Celebration. COME-N-GO BINGO St. Philip Neri Parish Hall FREE ADMISSION Saturday March 30, 2019 Doors open at 6PM; games begin at 6:30PM Cost: $.25/game 50/50 Cash pots Special bonus and gift prize pots Menu: hot/cold foods; drinks If you bring a non-perishable item to benefit Open Link, you play two free games of bingo! Sponsored by KOC 6614 All-You-Can-Eat Buffet Breakfast! Palm Sunday April 14, :00 AM 12:00 PM Menu: Scrambled eggs. Bacon. Sausage. Scrapple. Chipped beef. Home fried potatoes. Pancakes: plain & one topping. Cereal. Toast. Milk. Coffee. Hot tea. 3 juices. Omelette Station: prepared to order always with a minimum of four (4) different ingredients. Make your own Waffles: Fix n Bar: Yogurt, Granola and Fresh Fruit and homemade Egg Rolls for sale! For every 100 sold breakfasts, one FREE will be given away! Seniors (60 & up): $ 8.00 Adults (11 60) $ 9.00 Ages: 4 11 $ & under: $ 1.00 Checks, major credit cards accepted. Sponsored by Saint Philip Neri Church

4 Give a St. Philip Neri Perpetual Memorial For a donation of $50 or more, there is a beautiful Folder recording the gift and donor to be presented to the family. We also have Perpetual Living Memorials for those special occasions in life. SPN Catholic Family Life Center News Saturday, April 6, 2019 Lehigh Valley Phantoms vs Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins PPL Center Allentown, Pa. 5:30 PM 10:00 PM Cost $50 Adult $28/ Ages 3-18 This trip includes transportation and ticket fees. Registration requested by March 22nd. Saturday, May 4, 2019 Churches and Cheese Steaks Tour Our pilgrimage consists of tours of St John the Evangelist Church, the Cathedral Basilica of St s. Peter & Paul, and the National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia Philadelphia Your choice for lunch at Pat s or Geno s Steaks 6:45 AM 4:00 PM Cost $40 Adult $20/Ages Only 20 seats available Registration requested by April 19 th. or call Join us for these programs and bring a friend! This Week at the Catholic Family Life Center: Monday, March 18, 2019 Dance Ages 3-7 6:00-6:45 PM Cost $5 per session Hip Hop Ages :45 7:30 PM Cost $5 per session Bloomer Chocolate: Bean to Bar in Good Taste 7:00-8:00 PM - $5 per person Tuesday, March 19, 2019 Spiritual But Not Religious - 7:00-8:00 PM Free Will Offering Guest Presenter Rev. Patrick J. Muka Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Church Thursday, March 21, 2019 Mah Jong 1:00-4:00 PM Cost: Free Chair Yoga 6:30-7:30 PM Cost $5 per session Dining With Diabetes 6:00-8:00 PM Registration through Penn St University required Friday, March 22, 2019 Lenten Mission Series Guatemala 7:00-8:00 PM Cost $5 per person Beginning Punch needle: 7:00 8:00 PM $25 per session, materials included Friday: March 22 (continued) Veterans Series Vietnam Experience 7:00 8:00 PM - $5 per person Rolling Game Station for Kids: 6:00 7:15PM Grades 1-5 Pizza/refreshments afterwards 7:30 9:00 pm Grades 6-12 Virtual Reality games included for this group. Parents are asked to stay with their children. Mother of Mercy House non-perishable donation requests for March 20 delivery. 1) Canned Goya Beans 2) Healthy snacks (tuna/cracker kits, cheese/cracker peanut butter crackers, granola, protein bars. 3) Gatorade & healthy drinks for adults/children. Items may be dropped off Mon-Fri 8:30AM-3:30PM at the CFLC, 26 East 6 th St, East Greenville (phone ahead ); before/after Mass in the vestibule donation box at St. Philip Neri Church or phone and we will be happy to pick up your donation. PREP/RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CALENDAR March 20: NO Class March 23: Holy Communion Retreat at CFLC Campus. March 27 April 3 April 10 April 17 April 24: Last class Sunday: April 28 First Holy Communion March Youth Corner Welcome to our new monthly Youth Group informational section. I'm excited to let you know what we are up to each month. So far for 2019 we have stuffed over 150 food bags to be handed out to a local area in our diocese. In conjunction with the CFLC, we baked desserts that they added to a meal for the Mother Mercy House. During our meetings on Sundays we dove deeper into our Sunday readings and learning to connect God's Word to our daily lives. This Sunday March 17th, we are having our St. Patrick's Day celebration. Please keep us in your prayers as we follow Jesus' teaching. Attention Youth Group Members: Because we have been plagued by snow this year, we are taking advantage of our 5th Sunday and meeting March 31st and working on out fundraiser project. Also please add April 6th to your calendar: Serving our church for SPN Garden Club Spring Clean-up (times will be sent out) For up to date information join our REMIND group, text:

5 SPN YOUTH GROUP CALENDAR March 17 th : St. Patrick s Party 5:30-7:30PM. March 31 st : 5 th Sunday Movie Night! April 7 th : Life Night 6-7:30PM. Location TBD. April 10 th : Service* after 10AM Mass April 21 st : NO meeting May 5 th : 10AM Youth Church July 19 th -21 st : Steubenville Conference. All students going into 9 th Grade are eligible KNIGHTS of COLUMBUS Knights in Action. Faith in Action. Faith Programs: Our goal is to strengthen men and their families in the Catholic Faith. Formation in our faith goes beyond mere facts or religious practice to an authentic connection with a loving God and his Son, Jesus Christ. Programs here are designed to draw us closer to God and the Church in a tangible and meaningful way. JOIN US TODAY go to: Fr. Leo J. Letterhouse Council 6614 Membership Director: Jack Gilmore jag1020@verizon.net FRONTIER GIRLS NEED YOUR HELP The Frontier Girls are asking you to help them raise money for the Church. It is very easy; place your register tapes from REDNER S Market only into the Collection Box in the foyer of Church each week. If you do not have a REWARDS CARD, just stop at the Customer Service Desk; they will provide you with one. Every time you shop, make sure you scan the card; only receipts with the Save-a-tape at the bottom are eligible. NO torn receipts are accepted. Ask family, friends and neighbors to help as well; the more receipts we collect, the more funds we will get back. The Frontier Girls will take it from here; they will do all paperwork and hand the proceeds to the Church. Keep in mind this is an easy way to support your Church! SPN Car Show Committee Meeting Dates 2019 Mondays at 7:00 PM in Parish Hall April 8. May 13. June 10. July 8 SPN CFLC Planning Committee Meetings 2019 Mondays at 7:00 PM March 25 June 24 September 23 April 29 July 22 October 28 & May 20 August 26 November 18 SPRING CLEAN UP Saturday April 6 10:00 AM 2:00 PM (Rain date: April 27) Can you help us out for a few hours? The Garden Club will be cleaning up the Church grounds and many hands are needed. Coffee and donuts will be provided. Call Lee Johnson at: if you would like to participate. EASTER EGG HUNT Ages 1 to 11 years SPN Church grounds Saturday April 13 10:00 AM Sharp! RAIN or SHINE Sponsored by K.O.C A reminder to all parents: you are responsible to bring and pick up your children. SPN Senior Club Trips: 2019 Tuesday: April 2, 2019 Sight & Sound Theatre Jesus Cost per person: $105 dollars due on or before February 25. TRIP IS SOLD OUT! Monday: June 24, 2019 Atlantic City, NJ Resorts Casino Cost per person: $35 dollars due on or before May 24. Wednesday: August 21, 2019 Hunterdon Hills Playhouse I Do, I Do Cost per person: $92 dollars due on or before July 15 Tuesday: October 15, 2019 Penns Peak I Got You Babe Cost per person: $82 dollars due on or before Sept. 9 Thursday, December 5, 2019 Doolans at Spring Lake, New Jersey Radio City Tribute Cost per person: $93 dollars due on or before Oct. 29

6 SPN SENIOR CLUB 2019 LUNCHEON CALENDAR: Wednesdays at 11:30AM in Parish Hall March 27: Luncheon Theme: St. Patrick s Day Fourth Year Anniversary Celebration April 24: Luncheon, Theme: In Your Easter Bonnet May 22: Luncheon, Theme: Everything s coming up Roses June 26: Luncheon July 24: Luncheon, Theme: Christmas in July August 28: Luncheon September 25: Luncheon October 23: Luncheon & Halloween Party November 20: Luncheon, Thanksgiving Salute to our Veterans December 18: Luncheon, Saint Mary School, Seraphim Choir ARCHDIOCESAN NEWS: Are You Called to Be a Deacon? Archdiocese of Philadelphia Minister of the Word Minister at the Altar Minister of Charity While all the baptized are called to share in the mission of Jesus Christ according to the gifts of the Holy Spirit, those who are ordained also offer service in a way proper to the Sacrament of Holy Orders. A deacon s ministry entails proclaiming, preaching and teaching God s Word, assisting the bishop and priest at the Liturgy, assisting at funerals, ministering to the sick and dying, leading the community in prayer and in sacramental liturgies, baptizing, witnessing marriages, and exercising administrative leadership in the Church. A permanent deacon, who may be married, is a member of the clergy and shares in the hierarchy of the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Through the Sacrament of Holy Orders, the deacon is configured to Christ the Servant. It is Christ the Servant who acts through the ministry of the deacon. Want to Learn More We invite Catholic men (and their wives if married) with a deep spiritual life who are between the ages of 29 and 55, and would like to discern a call to serve Jesus Christ and His Church within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia as permanent deacons to take the next step and contact us for more information and to register for the upcoming Permanent Diaconate Information Night Permanent Diaconate Information Night Thursday, April 11 7PM 9PM St. Charles Borromeo Seminary - Vianney Auditorium 100 East Wynnewood Road Wynnewood, PA Registration for this event is required. Please the following information to Laura Nimmons at lnimmons@archphila.org Name Address Age Parish Marital Status If married, wife s name Sunday, March 17 Wednesday, March 20, Evenings 7:00-8:30 PM Event: A Parish Retreat: A Time of Grace Join us for a very special parish mission as Father Michael Sullivan, O.S.A., offers dynamic and engaging reflections that will renew your heart this Lent. Confessions will be available on Monday evening of the retreat. The final night includes Benediction and light refreshments/ social time. Location: Saints Peter and Paul Church, 1325 E. Boot Road, West Chester, PA More info: If you have any questions please contact Judy at jmagee@sspeterandpaulr... or call A free will offering will be taken on the final night of the retreat. Monday, March 25, 7:00 PM Event: An evening talk and book signing event for all MOMS CALLING ALL MOMS! SMM Moms in Prayer, St. Pius X MOMS & St. Joe s, Aston Moms Group presents: Heather Renshaw, blogger of RealCatholicMom.com, contributor to Catholicmom.com and author of Death by Minivan. Heather is a mother of five and an on-fire Catholic revert. With humor, honesty and spirit Heather will share her experiences and how motherhood isn t a trip that s meant to be taken alone. Location: St. Mary Magdalen Church, 2400 North Providence Road, Media More info: Contact sarah.albanese@gmail.c... or danawestby@hotmail.com Saturday, March 30, 2019, 9 AM-3:30 PM Event: Lenten Day of Recollection Join us for a Day of Recollection in Lent as an offering of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. The day includes two talks, Mass, Holy Hour, Confessions and lunch. Speaker: Rev. G. Dennis Gill, Director of the Office for Divine Worship Talk topics: Biblical Aspects of Authentic Conversion; Authentic Conversion Leads to Fidelity to the Gospel Location: Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia More info: No charge to attend; All are welcome; Please RSVP to Sr. Gabrielle Mary at sr.gbraccio@archphila... Saturday, March 30, 2019 at 10:30 AM Event: The Annual Archdiocesan Mass Honoring the Gifts of Persons with Disabilities, The Deaf Community, Family, Friends and Caregivers Principal Celebrant: Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap Location: Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, 18th and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia. To RSVP go to or call the Office for Persons with Disabilities at with the number attending. All are Welcome.

7 Invest just five minutes a day, and your faith will deepen and grow a day at a time. Sunday, Mar 17, 2019 SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT Lets stay here! Sometimes it can be a virtue not to be moved. Martyrs resist the lure of preserving their lives by renouncing their faith, and so go to their deaths. Heroes stare down villains in defense of the weak under their protection. But standing your ground can also be a cover for simple stagnation. Especially when you re actually sitting on the couch and enjoying its satisfying cushions. The spiritual life of saints is kinetic: willing to be transformed in shape, size, and dynamism depending on need and circumstance. Explore the fluidity of the Spirit s motion in your life. Let yourself be moved. TODAY'S READINGS: Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18; Philippians 3:17 4:1 or Phillippians 3:20-4:1; Luke 9:28b-36 (27). Let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. Monday, Mar 18, 2019 MEMORIAL OF CYRIL OF JERUSALEM, BISHOP, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH Mercy me Have mercy! How many times have you heard that expression? Today s gospel goes to the core Christian belief in mercy and forgiveness, concepts so central that Pope Francis declared 2016 a Year of Mercy. Cyril of Jerusalem is known for his insightful religious instruction and for having been immersed in controversies. Three times he was exiled over political and church differences, and three times he was granted mercy and reinstated as Jerusalem s bishop. Who do you know in need of mercy? Take a step to be an agent of mercy today. TODAY'S READINGS: Daniel 9:4b-10; Luke 6:36-38 (230). "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Tuesday, Mar 19, 2019 SOLEMNITY OF JOSEPH, HUSBAND OF MARY Got fava beans? In some parts of the world, especially in Italy, it is customary to carry blessed fava beans in observance of St. Joseph Day. In New Orleans you might run into a parade. Just about anywhere you ll meet people wearing red. And today is Father s Day in Spain and Portugal, all to honor Saint Joseph, the husband of Mary. Most Catholic churches have a window or statue dedicated to the saint. If you re an oldtime Catholic in Poland and your name is Józef, tradition holds that you throw a party for your friends and neighbors. Whatever your name, why not wear red today, put fava beans in your pocket, and maybe throw a party? TODAY'S READINGS: 2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16; Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22; Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a or Luke 2:41-51a (543). "When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. Wednesday, Mar 20, 2019 LENTEN WEEKDAY Support your local prophet The Israelites knew one thing about their prophets: They spoke the true word of God whether the message was welcome or not and frequently it wasn t, provoking resistance, even to the point of eliminating the prophet to silence the voice they didn t wish to hear. Jesus encountered opposition as well. Plenty of people especially powerful people wanted to

8 get him out of the way, but he and his gospel live on. Do you hear prophetic words spoken today in our world? How are they received? How do you receive them? TODAY'S READINGS: Jeremiah 18:18-20; Matthew 20:17-28 (232). It will not mean the loss of instruction from the priests, nor of counsel from the wise, nor of messages from the prophets. Thursday, Mar 21, 2019 LENTEN WEEKDAY Weed and water and protect it against the elements. And be mindful of the seeds of faith you plant in others. TODAY'S READINGS: Jeremiah 17:5-10; Luke 16:19-31 (233). He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream. Friday, Mar 22, 2019 LENTEN WEEKDAY; DAY OF ABSTINENCE In praise of water Today, like every Friday during Lent, Catholics abstain from eating meat in honor of the Passion of Jesus on Good Friday. On this day of abstinence, let s remember a form of sustenance one that no living thing can survive without a form of sustenance that s in danger: water. Today is World Water Day, an annual observance of the United Nations used to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. God has charged us with stewardship of creation what can you do to support water conservation today? TODAY'S READINGS: Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a; Matthew 21:33-43, (234). The kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit. Tips for growing faith Trees figure prominently in the Bible and often serve as symbols of our faith. Those who first heard the words of scripture being people living on the edge of the desert were quite aware of the special care trees require to grow strong and bear fruit: Droughts and floods, weeds and critters, and even the occasional curse from an angry messiah can kill a tree in short order. Care for your faith as you would a sapling. Weed and Saturday, Mar 23, 2019 LENTEN WEEKDAY The patron saint of entitlement? Writers, artists, and poets have tried to capture the overwhelming love of the Prodigal Father waiting in the famous parable for his errant son to return. When he gets a glimpse of him, he abandons all dignity and runs to cover his son with kisses. Less attention is given to the elder son, the obedient, hardworking one who never abandoned his father in the first place. Why is he not the focus of the parable? Perhaps because we find his attitude selfish or entitled? And yet, is not the elder son often the model for many of us? We may strive to do the right thing, but with the expectation that our fidelity entitles us to special treatment. There is another chance for the elder son, though, as later in the story the father goes out to meet him, too. TODAY'S READINGS: Micah 7:14-15, 18-20; Luke 15:1-3, (235). My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours.

9 SPN SENIOR CLUB LUNCHEON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, :30 AM - PARISH HALL Our Fourth Year Anniversary Celebration! Reservations are a must! Call Rita Latshaw: Reservation deadline is March 22, 2019 Suggested lunch offering is $5.00 pp Pllease donatte lloose change ffor tthe Chriisttmas coiin jjar!!

10 COMING SOON! SPN SENIOR CLUB EASTER BASKET Back by popular demand, the SPN Senior Club will start selling Chances for an Easter Basket filled with gift cards. Chances will be sold at the Senior Club Luncheon on March 27th and all Masses beginning: March 30-31, 2019 Chances are $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00 Be sure to check the parish Bulletin for additional information and other Venues to purchase tickets Questions: call Dawn OR Lee