March 18, Fifth Sunday of Lent

Transcription

1 Rectory: 170 Mechanic Street Leominster, Massachusetts Telephone (978) / / Parish Office Hours are Monday thru Thursday 9 am - 5 pm and Friday 9 am - 4 pm Religious Education (C.C.D) Office Telephone (978) Bingo Telephone: (978) March 18, Fifth Sunday of Lent Celebration of the Eucharist Saturday Vigil Masses: 4:00 & 6:30 P.M. Sunday Masses: 7:00, 9:45, and 11:15 A.M. Weekday Masses (Monday - Saturday): 6:30 A.M. Holy Day Masses: As Announced In Bulletin Confessions: Fridays, 6:00-7:00 P.M. Saturdays, 3:00-4:00 P.M. Baptisms: Please call the rectory in advance to schedule baptismal instruction. Marriages: Rev. Robert D. Bruso Pastor Couple should contact the rectory at least one year in advance. A marriage preparation program is required. Rev. Eric K. Asante Associate Pastor Deacon Ronald J. Aubuchon Deacon Robert S. Connor, Jr. Mr. David M. Lasky Music Director, Organist Mrs. Patricia A. Secino, Religious Education Director and Director of Evangelization and RCIA

2 Saturday March 17 Vigil Masses Mass on pg :00 p.m. Irene Cristofono (15th anniv.) by John, Mary & Mike 6:30 p.m. Andre & Anita Allain by Gil, Nora & family Sunday March 18 Fifth Sunday of Lent Mass on pg :00 a.m. Claire St. Jean by Lou & Val Landry 9:45 a.m. Carl & Judy Walker (30th day) by Jamie Camire 11:15 a.m. Norman Loiselle (1st anniv.) by his wife & children Monday March 19 St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mass on pg :30 a.m. Claire (Bolduc) Breault by her brother 5:30 p.m. Alonzo Gaudet by Hermine Hodge Tuesday March 20 Lenten Weekday Mass on pg :30 a.m. Giselle Nault & Estelle Cuddahy by Ken & Rollande LeDuc 5:30 p.m. David Lamkin by his wife, Susan Wednesday March 21 Lenten Weekday Mass on pg :30 a.m. Robert Bellefeuille by Deanne & Dave 4:30-5:30 p.m. Adoration and Confession 5:30 p.m. Dot Lapierre by Dina, Germaine & Ginette Thursday March 22 Lenten Weekday Mass on pg :30 a.m. Irene Dorothy Allain (30th day) by Kevin & Michele Mack, Simard s 5:30 p.m. Shirley Pothier by Paul & her children Friday March 23 St. Turibius of Mogrovejo, Bishop Mass on pg :30 a.m. Lillian I. Normandin by Kevin & Susan Canody 3:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross 5:30 p.m. Dennis Foxx by Susan Lamkin 6:00-7:00 p.m. Confession Saturday March 24 Blessed Oscar Romero, Bishop & Martyr Mass on pg :30 a.m. Parishioners of St. Cecilia Parish 3:00-4:00 p.m. Confession Vigil Masses Mass on pg :00 p.m. Ron Proietti (anniv.) by Nancy Proietti 6:30 p.m. Rose Tourigny (19th anniv.) by the Lapierre & Hughes family Sunday March 25 Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord Mass on pg :00 a.m. Yvonne Belanger by her children 9:45 a.m. Valerie Page (17th anniv.) & Ken Page by Marie Bedard 11:15 a.m. Domethilde Bernard (anniv.) by Yvette & Jacques Richard 2

3 Dear Friends, A Message From Our Pastor. When Jesus says, When I am lifted up, I will draw everyone to myself, He is referring to being lifted up on the Cross. When we think of a cross, maybe we think of the beautiful carved oak cross above the altar at St. Cecilia, or maybe a crucifix on the wall at our house, or a golden cross on a chain. Because of our Christian understanding of the Cross of Christ, we sometimes forget the full implications of the cross. The cross was an instrument of torture, a means of execution. It didn t have any pretty or inspiring connotations to the people listening to Jesus in the First Century in Israel or anywhere in the Roman Empire. To get a sense of what Jesus was saying when He said that when He was lifted up, He would draw everyone to Him, imagine a convict saying today, When I go to the electric chair or the gas chamber, you can come with me. It s not an invitation many of us would accept. Remember He also said that this time would be the time of His glorification, not His degradation. He said that the grain of wheat must die if it is to produce fruit. He said if we love our life we will lose it, but it we hate our life (that is to say, not hate our life per se, but to be unafraid to let go of it) in this world, we will gain eternal life. And He says where He is, we as followers must be also be. If Christ accepted the Cross, so must we be willing to accept the crosses that come in our lives. When Jesus invites us to His side, He does so knowing full well that His side was pierced by the Roman s spear as the final proof of His death on the Cross. From that final wound flowed blood and water, and from that blood and water sprang the sacramental life of the Church. That which was evil and cruel became life-giving for us. The irony of the Cross of Christ is, in the broadest sense, the irony of all human suffering. No one wants to suffer. No one wants to experience pain and sorrow. But it is in the most difficult moments that we learn to grow and change. Pleasure breeds complacency. If everything is fine, why make changes in our lives? Why challenge ourselves to grow? To follow Christ is not a pick and choose buffet. We must accept and, indeed, embrace all that God sends our way the good and the bad, the sorrow and the joy. It is only in standing at the side of Christ that we know the fullness of being His disciple. It is not an easy path to choose, but it is the path to eternal life. The Way of the Cross leads us to Calvary, yes; but it does not end there. The Way of the Cross leads us through Calvary to the glory of the Resurrection and the empty tomb. Remember, Lent ends, not on Good Friday but on Easter Sunday. May God bless you all, Father Bob Bruso Confession is an encounter with Jesus whose mercy motivates us to do better. Pope Francis WQPH FM 89.3 is holding a TV Raffle during the Lenten Fish Fry held on Fridays at The Madonna of the Holy Rosary Church, 118 Theresa Street, Fitchburg. The TV Raffle includes a 43 inch Smart TV, a 70 mile TV Antenna and a ROKU. The tickets are 10 for $5.00 and the drawing will be on Friday, March 23rd at the end of the Fish Fry. Please support the Fish Fry and your local Catholic Radio Station. 3

4 The Sympathies of the parish community are extended to the family and friends of Rita M. Proietti, Kevin J. Miller, Lawrence G. Tourigny, Ruth L. Soucy and Rita M. Daigle whose Funeral Services were held recently. Please remember them in your prayers. Religious Education/CCD Classes Monday Evening Classes for Grades 7-10 continue this week at 7:00 pm. Sunday Morning Classes for Grades 1-6 continue next Sunday at 9:45 am Partners in Charity Appeal. Last weekend was our Parish Commitment Weekend for the 2018 Partners in Charity Appeal. Thank you to those who made a gift and a special thank you for those who gave for the first time. Your gift will help us in reaching our parish goal. We need the support of all members of St. Cecilia Parish if we are to be successful in reaching our parish goal of $50,000. If you have not yet completed your pledge, please prayerfully make your pledge and return it to the parish office or in the collection basket. We are confident that, with God s help and yours, we will rise to it! If you have not yet made a gift or pledge, please fill out a commitment pledge envelope today in the pew today or visit Thank You! St. Cecilia s Parish On The Internet - If you haven't yet looked up our website, check us out at Collection Report Last Week s Stewardship: $9, Daily Mass: Monday-Friday: 6:30 AM, 5:30 PM Saturday: 6:30 AM Rosary: Monday-Thursday 3:00 PM Confession: Wednesday 4:30-5:30 PM, Friday 6:00-7:00 PM, Saturday 3:00-4:00 PM Adoration: Wednesday 4:30-5:30 PM Stations of the Cross: Friday 3:00 PM Wednesdays 4:00-6:30 Simple meal (soups, stews, etc.) in the parish center, lower hall. No charge, but free will donations to St. Vincent de Paul Society will be accepted. If you can spare a few hours to volunteer, please call Jeannine at This Week s Menu: Beef & Barley Soup 4

5 Palm Sunday Vigil Masses will be celebrated on Saturday, March 24 at 4:00 and 6:30 pm. On Palm Sunday, March 25 Masses will be celebrated at 7:00, 9:45 & and 11:15 am. Blessed palms will be distributed at all Masses. Confession Schedule Wednesday, March 28 from 4:30-5:30 pm Saturday, March 31 (Holy Saturday) from 10:00-11:00 am and from 3:00-4:00 pm Holy Week Daily Mass, March 26 thru March 28 - Monday thru Wednesday Mass will be celebrated at 6:30 am and 5:30 pm. Holy Thursday, March 29 - Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper at 7:00 pm. Included will be the ceremony of the washing of the feet of twelve parishioners representing the Twelve Apostles. Following the Mass, there will be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament from 8:00 to 10:00 pm. Good Friday, March 30 - Stations of the Cross at 3:00 pm. Solemn Liturgy of the Veneration of the Cross and Holy Communion at 7:00 pm. Holy Saturday, March 31 - Easter Vigil and Mass of the Lord's Resurrection at 7:30 pm. Please note that there will be NO MASS at 4:00 or 6:30 pm this Saturday. Those who attend the 7:30 pm Vigil Mass will fulfill the obligation of attending Easter Mass. Easter Sunday, April 1 - Masses are at 7:00, 9:45 and 11:15 am. LENTEN GUIDELINES FOR FAST AND ABSTINENCE Lenten fast and abstinence regulations for the Diocese of Worcester are as follows: Abstinence from meat is to be observed by all Catholics fourteen (14) years of age and older on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all the Fridays of Lent. Fasting is to be observed by all Catholics who are eighteen (18) years of age but not yet fiftynine (59) years of age on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Those who are bound to fast may take only one full meal. Two smaller meals are permitted if necessary to maintain strength according to one's needs, but eating solid foods between meals is not permitted. Catholics should not lightly excuse themselves from these prescribed Lenten penitential practices. Tune In To WQPH 89.3 FM Your Catholic Radio Station 5

6 Rice Bowls Cardboard "rice bowls" are available at the entrances of the church. Use them to save loose change and return them at the end of Lent. A little bit every day adds up to a large donation to help children around the world. St. Cecilia s Bingo Friday Evenings at 6:30 PM Doors Open at 4 PM Come Try Your Luck! Please pray for all our home-bound parishioners, those who are in nursing homes or assisted living residences, and our brave men and women in the military. We See New People in our church every weekend all are welcome to participate in the worship of God and celebrate the Eucharist together. If you choose to stay with the parish community you may register as a parishioner with us by calling the rectory , or fill out one of the registration forms found on tables at the entrances to the church. Bingo Workers Needed! You Need To Work Only Once A Month. Workers are needed to help in all areas of the parish Bingo, but especially helping out in the two Bingo kitchens, upstairs and downstairs. Call the rectory if you can help, or see Jim Fernandes or Fr. Bob. Workers are needed also to help verify winning numbers or to sell the Charity Game tickets. Considering a Vocation to the Priesthood? The Diocese of Worcester s annual discernment retreat, directed by Bishop McManus, will be held on March 23 & 24. It begins at 6 pm Friday and ends 6 pm Saturday. It s for men high school age, college age, and older at the Immaculate Conception Retreat Center in Putnam, CT (only 30 minutes from Worcester). The retreat is free and transportation is provided if needed. For more info visit worcestervocations.com. To sign up contact Fr. Jim Mazzone at jmazzone@charter.net or call Notre Dame Academy s Open House for prospective students will be held on Sunday, March 25th from 2-4 pm. Students currently in fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grade are encouraged to attend. Please visit their website to pre-register. NDA is the only Catholic private and independent college preparatory school for young girls in grades 7-12 in Central Massachusetts. 6

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