Peter & Paul C AT H O L I C C H U R C H

Transcription

1 Saints Peter & Paul C AT H O L I C C H U R C H 902 East Ninth Street Hopkinsville, KY Established 1872 OUR MISSION STATEMENT We are a Roman Catholic Community of Christians called to be a priestly people, a household of faith, a temple of the Holy Spirit, a beacon of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church shining for Jesus Christ in the heart of Christian County. Rev. Fr. Richard Meredith, Pastor crmeredith@stsppchurch.org Rev. Fr. Julio Barrera, Parochial Vicar jebarrera@stsppchurch.org Permanent Deacon, Mr. Tim Barnes tdbarnes@stsppchurch.org Permanent Deacon, Dr. Bill Sweet wesweet@stsppchurch.org PARISH OFFICE PHONE: (270) PARISH FAX: (270) PARISH WEBSITE: OFFICE HOURS: 8 AM - 5 PM Monday Friday; (Closed Noon -1:00 pm Daily) SCHOOL TELEPHONE: (270) SCHOOL FAX: (270) SCHOOL WEBSITE: Tru h Radio WSPP 93.5 FM Saints Peter and Paul Assistance: Saints Peter and Paul Thrift Store: MASS SCHEDULE Saturday evening... 5:00 PM Sunday 8:00 AM, 10:30 AM Misa en Español... 2:00 PM, 10:30 PM Monday - Saturday... 8:00 AM Wednesday... 5:30 PM Thursday Misa en Español... 5:30 PM First Friday of each month.6:00 PM MEMBERSHIP IN THE PARISH We give a sincere welcome to all new families moving into our Parish. Please register in the Parish Office as soon as possible. Families who plan to move from our parish community are asked to inform us. Bulletin material deadline: Monday at noon in writing or . March 13, 2016 Fifth Sunday of Lent

2 2 MINISTRY TO THE SICK Please notify the Parish Office upon admission of a family member into any hospital or nursing home. Any parishioner who is ill or infirm may request anointing by calling the Parish Office. SS PETER & PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH, HOPKINSVILLE, KY PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION This is a devotion whereby members of the parish unite in taking hours of Adoration before the Most Blessed Sacrament during the day and throughout the night, seven days a week. (Code required for evenings.) There is a regular schedule of adorers but all are welcome to stop in for a visit. Parishioners are encouraged to sign up for a scheduled weekly Adoration time. Please contact Bill & Jenny Rush at , if you are interested in adopting an hour or if you can be a substitute or prayer partner. These hours are available 6 am & 7am Sundays, Tuesdays 11 pm, Wednesdays 4am, and Thursdays 3 pm. (Prayer partner needed for 3 pm Tuesdays ) Parish Pastoral Council Tim Barnes, Chair/Spiritual Life..tdbarnes@stsppchurch.org Robin Bilan, Education......rcbilan@hotmail.com Libby Downs, Pastoral Associate..ljdowns@stsppchurch.org Robert Cruz, Family Life.rcruztirado@murraystate.edu JoAshley Hall, Worship... joashley7@yahoo.com Sarah Kranz, Principal...skranz@stsppschool.org Fran Marko, Secretary...franmarko@gmail.com Rose McClurg, Social Concerns.rose1963mcclurg@gmail.com Joe Mezzoni, Vice Chair/Administration joemezzoni216@att.net PARISH STAFF Tom Buehrle (twbuehrle@att.net)...director Of Stewardship Brenda Chaudoin (bchaudoin@stsppchurch.org). Parish Office Mgr. Libby Downs (ljdowns@stsppchurch.org)...pastoral Associate Alex French (afrench@stsppchurch.org)...seminarian Intern Leigh Ann Johnson.Parish Assistance Coordinator Steve Kinnard (skinnard@stsppchurch.org)...maintenance Foreman Vicki Kinnard (vkinnard@stsppschool.org)...school Secretary Sarah Kranz (skranz@stsppschool.org)...school Principal Donna Pfeufer (dgpfeufer@gmail.com)...thrift Store Gen. Mgr. Angie Phillips (abphillips2013@gmail.com)...thrift Store Mgr. Tana Shade (tshade@stsppschool.org)...extended Care Director Mayra Tirado (mtirado@stsppchurch.org)...hispanic Ministry Asst. Sue Wassmer (swassmer@stsppchurch.org)...parish Secretary Amy Watkins (awatkins@stsppchurch.org)...parish Music Director The Catholic Church teaches that the sexual abuse of any person is a grave moral evil. To report any instance of sexual abuse by any employee of the Catholic Church please call the Office of the Bishop in Owensboro at (270) The Safe Environment Program is now available at the Diocesan website SACRAMENTS Reconciliation: Confessions will be heard Saturday from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and Wednesday at 4:30 PM. Confessions will be heard any time by appointment. Confessions for Spanish speaking are 2nd, 4th & 5th Saturdays at 3:00 PM. Baptism: Baptismal Preparation Class is usually held the first Sunday of each month. Our next class is scheduled for April 10, 2016 at 4:00 pm. Please call the Parish Office. Registration is required. Marriage: Contact the Office six months prior to the desired date. The Capital (or Deadly) Sins: Sloth Revealing a lack of love for God, sloth is a capital sin that leads us to neglect our spiritual lives, and fail to fulfill our responsibilities as disciples. The slothful are sorry to have to do something for God s sake, as St. Thomas Aquinas describes it. Sloth shows an ingratitude toward God. Despite all that the Lord has done for us thinking to create us from eternity; becoming man, suffering, and dying to redeem us; pouring out His grace upon us in the sacraments; and continually drawing us to Himself in a superabundance of Divine Love we can t be bothered to respond. It is sloth that makes us cavalierly miss Mass on Sundays and holy days, or prevents us from committing ourselves whole-heartedly to the Lord. If we shrink back because we find discipleship too daunting, we are being slothful. We don t want to make the effort that the Christian life demands, give up our pet sins, or change our priorities. We re in effect telling God that He s not worth it an attitude contrary to the truth about God and the love that He deserves from us. The sin of sloth is therefore different from simply not feeling like praying, going to Mass, or being a faithful disciples. Our emotions naturally fluctuate, and we can t expect to stay on a spiritual high. Even the saints have struggled with dryness in prayer, often lacking any consolation. But the saints fundamental motivation was to please God above all. Out of their great love for God, they were determined to remain faithful to the full practice of the Christian life, regardless of the difficulty. Thus they displayed the opposite of sloth the virtue of zeal. Since the Lord calls us to be saints too, He also gives us the graces to rise to the challenge of discipleship. Like, the saints, let us overcome sloth by cultivating zeal. The poet Dante depicts the souls in Purgatorio being purified by sloth: now filled with zeal as they run at high speed, they exclaim, Faster! Faster! We have no time to waste, for time is love. CRS Rice Bowl/Operation Rice Bowl: How is your Rice Bowl collection going? Remember, our Rice Bowls stay in our homes until Holy Thursday, March 24 th. On Holy Thursday, our Rice Bowls are returned to the church at Mass (7:00 p.m.) as gifts of alms to the Poor. When we give to Rice Bowl: 25% of our donations go to hunger and poverty alleviation efforts in our own community (diocese); 75% of our donations support Catholic Relief Service s humanitarian relief programs in 100 countries worldwide. $10 provides a family with two weeks of food.

3 MARCH 13, Scrutinies: This weekend we celebrate the 3 rd Scrutiny with those preparing for full communion with the Catholic Church. These Scrutinies are meant to uncover then heal all that is weak, defective, or sinful in the hearts of the elect. The scrutinies are celebrated in order to deliver the elect from the power of sin and Satan, to protect them against temptation, and to give them strength in Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life. So continue to pray for the elect as they continue their journey to the Easter waters and sacraments. These include our Catechumen (unbaptized) Samantha (Sam) Lawrence and our Candidates (baptized): Carolyn Brown, Danielle Davis, Tim Davis, Jamie Lawrence, Angie Roberts, Rob Sivley III and Dan Wilkinson. Palm Sunday: Next Sunday we will celebrate Palm Sunday, also called The Passion of the Lord. We invite all to wear red and gather with us (weather permitting) up near the school as we celebrate Christ entrance into Jerusalem. We will bless palm and then walk in procession into the church as we will hear the Passion of Our Lord according to St. Luke. Covering of Statues: The practice of veiling crosses and statues during the last two weeks of Lent was approved by the USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) in November 2001, granted recognition by the Holy See, and has been in effect since April This practice is a way to extend the Lenten fast. Veiling statues and images is a visual fast which helps us to focus all our attention on Christ as we approach the celebration of his Passion. We clear away any distractions so that we might focus on him who calls us through the cross to new life. Chrism Mass: The Chrism Mass is scheduled for Tuesday, March 22 nd at 6:30 p.m. in the Sportscenter in Owensboro. We have rented a 47 passenger Charter Bus. We will depart from Saints Peter and Paul parking lot at 4:00 p.m. and will arrive around 5:30 p.m. to the Sportscenter. This gives you ample time to visit and meet with other priests and friends. After the Mass, we will stop for dinner at Moonlite Bar-B-Q and then head home. We typically arrive back in Hopkinsville around 10:30 p.m. The cost to ride the bus is $12.00 per person and dinner will be at your own cost. To reserve your spot on the bus, you can see Libby in the sacristy after all weekend Masses or stop by the office and see her. Payment is due at the time of reservation. We hope that you can join us as we travel as a parish to attend this beautiful celebration. Information from the Diocese of Owensboro: Our Diocese asked us to share the following information. In observance of the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy and of the abundant mercy of God available to us in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, six confessors will be available at St. Stephen Cathedral on the day of Chrism Mass from 4:00 6:00 PM. Please encourage your parishioners to take advantage of this opportunity if they have not already done so during the Lenten season. Tours of the Cathedral will also be available on the day of Chrism Mass from 4:30 6:00 and, of course, people may walk through the Door of Mercy as well. So if you plan on driving to the Chrism Mass instead of taking the bus, please take advantage of this opportunity if you can. Sympathy: As a parish we pray for Brock and Laura Sargeant and their family. Brock s father, Preston Sargeant Jr., passed away this past Sunday, March 6 th at the age of 72. Mr. Sargeant had suffered from Parkinson s Disease for several years. Those of us who have family members with this disease know the pain this disease causes our families as it robs us of our mobility and health. Preston is survived by his wife Malinda of 42 years, one son, Brock, and one daughter Annette Ferry, one sister, five grandchildren and one great grandson. As a parish, may we keep the Sargeant family in our prayers this week as they mourn their loss. We also pray for the family of Kathy Lytle. Kathy s sister, Lynda Powell Robinson, passed away on Saturday, February 20 th at the age of 46. She is survived by 2 daughters, Nikki Robinson and Julie Robinson and one son, Frenchy Jenkins, two brothers and 4 sisters and one grandson. As a parish, we also keep Kathy and Larry Lytle in our prayers as they mourn their loss. As a church let us pray: May their soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen. Saints Celebrated this Week: This week we celebrate two special saints. St. Patrick s feast Day is Thursday, March 17 th. Come and join us along with the whole school for the 8:00 a.m. Mass as we remember this beloved Saint. St. Patrick of Ireland is one of the world's most popular saints. He was born in Roman Britain and when he was fourteen or so, he was captured by Irish pirates during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. At the time, Ireland was a land of Druids and pagans but Patrick turned to God and wrote his memoir, The Confession. In The Confession, he wrote: "The love of God and his fear grew in me more and more, as did the faith, and my soul was rosed, so that, in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers and in the night, nearly the same. I prayed in the woods and on the mountain, even before dawn. I felt no hurt from the snow or ice or rain." Patrick's captivity lasted until he was twenty, when he escaped after having a dream from God in which he was told to leave Ireland by going to the coast. There he found some sailors who took him back to Britain and was reunited with his family. (Continued on page 4)

4 4 SS PETER & PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH, HOPKINSVILLE, KY (Continued from page 3) ST. PATRICK'S BREASTPLATE Christ be with me, Christ within me Christ behind me, Christ before me Christ beside me, Christ to win me Christ to comfort me and restore me. Christ beneath me, Christ above me Christ in quiet, Christ in danger Christ in hearts of all that love me Christ in mouth of friend or stranger. Solemnity of St. Joseph: The Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, will be celebrated this Saturday, March 19 th. This feast is among 14 solemnities marked for special care in the Catholic Church. Why not take some time to read and reflect upon the life of St. Joseph. Why not come to the daily Mass on Saturday at 8:00 a.m. as we celebrate this Solemnity. Did you know that St. Joseph has been honored on March 19 th since the end of the 10 th century, that he was declared Patron of the Universal Church in 1870 by Pope Pius IX, that he is the patron saint of workers, carpenters and of fathers? Let us all pray that St. Joseph will touch all fathers and help them truly be men of faith. If you would like to assist with a Saint Joseph s Table after Mass, see Libby. Annunciation: The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, is liturgically celebrated each year on March 25 th. This year however, March 25 th is Good Friday; therefore, the Church has transferred this celebration The Annunciation to Monday, April 4 th. So put on your calendar to come and join us as we gather with all the school children at the 8:00 a.m. Mass. On this day we celebrate when the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her she would be the Mother of God s own son. As we honor Mary and those months she carried in her womb Jesus, so to we honor all mothers who carry within their bodies the gift of life given to them by God. This day also marks the beginning of our Spiritual Adoption Program. More information will be forthcoming. Easter Duty: It is a precept (law) of the Catholic Church that all who have been initiated to the sacraments "shall receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season." In the United States, this extends from Ash Wednesday to Trinity Sunday inclusive. This is a minimum standard and it obliges quite seriously. The annual confession of sins by way of the Sacrament of Reconciliation is a precept which obliges those who are conscious of having committed serious sin, and would be required prior to their Easter communion. The Season of Lent is a time to recognize what we are really hungering for. It is a time to take inventory of our lives and to ask ourselves how we are doing in our quest for the ultimate prize in life. In other words, do we understand that what the human soul is crying out for is the fullness of life that Jesus came into the world to bring us. Our hearts were made for you O Lord, and they will not rest until they rest in you. St. Augustine Area Communal Lenten Penance Services For your convenience we are providing you with the area Lenten Penance Services. Please take the time to prepare yourself for the Easter waters. Sunday, March 13 5:00 p.m. Saint Michael the Archangel, Oak Grove Wednesday, March 16 6:30 p.m. Christ the King, Madisonville Sunday, March 20 6:00 p.m. Saints Peter and Paul, Hopkinsville Holy Week and Triduum Worship Schedule Palm Sunday of the Lord s Passion March 20, 2016 Regular Weekend schedule. Holy Thursday: The Last Supper of Jesus Christ March 24, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. (Bilingual) Adoration of The Blessed Sacrament until Midnight. Good Friday: The Passion and Death of Jesus Christ March 25, :00 a.m. Morning Prayer 12:00 Noon The Way of the Cross 3:00 p.m. Good Friday Service English 6:00 p.m. Good Friday Service English 8:30 p.m. Good Friday Service Spanish Easter Vigil: The Vigil of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ March 26, 2016 at 8:00 p.m.; Bilingual Easter Sunday: The Resurrection of Jesus Christ March 27 8:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m. English, 2:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. in Spanish

5 THIS WEEK IN OUR PARISH MARCH Tues: Fr. Robert Barron Series-7 Deadly Sins, OA Noon Wed: Rosary Makers-8:45 am, HFR Choirs-Spanish 5 pm, English 6:30 pm Thurs: Parish Children's Choir-2:30 pm RCIA-7 pm, Gym Fri: MOMs Group-9:30 am, OA Worship Comm. 12 pm, OA Knights Fish Fry, Gym 5 pm-7 pm Stations of The Cross-6 pm Sat: Preparation of Palm and Decorate Church-9am Sun: Lenten Communal Penance Service, 6 pm Readings for the Week of March 13, 2016 Sunday: Is 43:16-21/Ps 126:1-6/Phil 3:8-14/Jn 8:1-11 Monday: Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, Tuesday: Nm 21:4-9/Ps 102:2-3, 16-21/Jn 8:21-30 Wednesday: Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95/Dn 3:52-56/Jn 8:31-42 Thursday: Gn 17:3-9/Ps 105:4-9/Jn 8:51-59 Friday: Jer 20:10-13/Ps 18:2-7/Jn 10:31-42 Saturday: 2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16/Ps 89:2-5, 27, 29/ Rom 4:13, 16-18, 22/Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a or Lk 2:41-51a Next Sunday: Lk 19:28-40/Is 50:4-7/Ps 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24/Phil 2:6-11/Lk 22:14--23:56 or 23:1-49 Liturgical Publications Inc Want to come and help? On Saturday, March 19 th we will gather at 9:00 a.m. in the Church and decorate the Church for Palm Sunday. We also need help to prepare our Palm branches for distribution. We should be finished by 10:30 a.m. More hands make the work light and fun! Almsgiving during Lent - Food donations to Aaron McNeil Center: This week the food item is canned green beans (place food items in the barrel in the coat room of Church). STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE.. In today s second reading, St. Paul says, For His sake I have forfeited everything; I have accounted all else rubbish so that Christ may be my wealth. Does my stewardship suggest that I could say the same? Budget News Weekly Parish Collection... $14, Weekly Parish Budget Needs... $15, Unpaid Diocesan Assessment... $39, Special Collection Catholic Relief Services...$ Weekly Capital Improvement Donations...$ Capital Improvement Fund Balance... $16, Weekly A Legacy of Faith Fund Pledge Payments... $28, A Legacy of Faith Fund Balance... $925, Needed to Break Ground on New Building $39, Stained Glass Window Donations... $5, Stained Glass Window Fund Balance... $394, MARCH 13, 2016 Monday, March 14 8:00 AM DON MCCOWAN Tuesday, March 15 8:00 AM CHRISTOPHER STEVENSON Wednesday March 16 8:00 AM TERRENCE BRANNEN 5:30 PM Thursday, March 17 GENE MARTIN SHEPHERD 8:00 AM KARENNA CHAUDOIN 5:30 PM Spanish FR. RICHARD MEREDITH Friday, March 18 8:00 AM DAVID SMITH Saturday, March 19 8:00 AM JOE CHAUDOIN 5:00 PM IRENE RINDOS Sunday, March 20 Palm Sunday of The Passion Of The Lord 8:00 AM KYLE SPURR FAMILY 10:30 AM FOR ALL PARISHIONERS 2:00 PM Spanish EDITH LUNA 10:30 PM Spanish JESÚS HERNANDEZ Indicates Requiem Mass SANCTUARY LAMP In Honor of Don McCowan By Sue Wassmer YOUTH MINISTRY Our Middle School and High School Youth programs continue this Wednesday, March 9 th beginning with Mass at 5:30 p.m. March Schedule: March 9 th Class March 16 th Class March 23 rd No Class Holy Week March 30 th No Class Spring Break Sponsorship: We have a number of middle and high school youth who would like to go to the Chrism Mass on Tuesday, March 22nd. Would you be willing to make a donation to see that they can attend? The cost of the bus is $12.00 per person. See Libby for more information. Easter Egg Hunt: Our Knights of Columbus are sponsoring an Easter Egg Hunt on the grounds here at Saints Peter and Paul on Saturday, March 26 th (Holy Saturday) beginning at 9:00 a.m. Children up to 12 years of age are invited to come and hunt for eggs! 5

6 6 SS PETER & PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH, HOPKINSVILLE, KY In Need of Prayers Covington Convalescent- Scott Burnside, Pat Chesnut, Elizabeth Jones, Karen Logsdon, Jean Soyars Western State Nursing Facility Arnold Borders, Debbie Dickerson, Ellen Jones Christian Health Center Lillian Cotthoff, Norma Downs, Barbara Holubecki, Marianne Keenan Friendship House- Christine Mills Others. Pat Abell, Adams Families, Mary Armstrong, Richard & Jeannie Arnold, James Arthur Adkins, Clarence & Helen Allard, Andy & Fran Belland, Norma Boyd, Bill Brown, Kristen Cage, Francis Grace Cage, Fred Chapman, Bettie June Clark, Sam Chesnut, Pam Cox, Debbie Croley, Angela Brockman DeAngelis, Gene Durbin, Pat Esposito, Theresa Ford, Connie Fowler, Martha Fowler, Mary Gervais, Gant Golladay, Jewel Claire Godot, Lou Halburton, Beth Hancock, Bonnie Haney, Amanda Harden, Bonnie Harris, Marianne Harton, Mary Jean Hester, Bill Henney, Edward Hester, Beatrice Ibemere, Anita Jones, Mark Kahre, Bill Kemp, Joseph Kukral, Bob Labor, Helen Marshall, Marcella McCuiston, Joe Mezzoni, Sr., Margie Meredith, Theresa Mills, Mike Moseley, Sandy Mueller, Brittany Pike, Larry Puckett, Martha Reed, Justina Roman, Bob & Cele Schade, MaryAnn Schurmann, Frank Selph, David Ray Shirley, Kristian Shouse, Gina Simpson, Cathy Smith, David Smith, Genevieve Spurr, MaryAnn Stahr, Stocker Family, Georgiann Svestka, Ken Swicicki, Patricia Tariol, Jerry Thomas, Rosie Thomas, Rose Ann Tobin, Donnie Tuminello, Gayle Tuminello, Susan Valentini, Hannelore Vanderklok, John & Eileen Wells, Widener Family, Helen Winstead, James Wittschack. Names remain on the list for one month. Rediscover Jesus: On Ash Wednesday, did you begin reading Rediscover Jesus? Remember it is contains 40 chapters to coincide with the 40 days of Lent (not including Sundays). This week did you read the chapter The Gap. Remember, Matthew Kelly said At church on Sunday after the Gospel has been read I often ask myself: If I just lived this one Gospel reading 100 percent, how much would my lie change? The answer is the same every Sunday: radically. My life would change radically if I just lived one parable or teaching from any of the four Gospels 100 percent. There is a gaping hole between my life and the life Jesus invites me to live in the Gospel. He further adds that part of the problem, it seems, is that most us think we are pretty good Christians. But compared to what? He goes on to say that being a Christian is not about being perfect. Membership among the followers of Jesus Christ does not require perfection. But it does require us to strive to live as Jesus invites us to live. And that means working diligently to close the gap. Matthew Kelly gives us this question to ponder Why do you resist the happiness that God want to fill you with? Take this question, and pray with it, reflect on it and continue reading this thought provoking book. Eucharistic Adoration Hours Available: Hours that are now open and available for adoption include: Sunday - 6:00 a.m. Sunday - 7:00 a.m. Tuesday - 11:00 a.m. Wednesday - 4:00 a.m. Thursday - 3:00 p.m. In Addition a Prayer Partner is needed for Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. Call Bill or Jenny Rush at LAY MINISTERS MARCH 19/20 PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD Saturday, 5:00 pm Altar Servers:... Karenna Chaudoin, Carly Chaudoin, Cross Bearer:... Matt Shelton Torch Bearers:... Sofia Sargeant, Sarah Sargeant Incense Bearer:... Joey Chaudoin Commentator:... Mary Moehlman Lectors:... Mary Lee, Jane Irwin Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers:... Dana Nethery,... Pam Koob, Sandy Doyon, Pam Carlton Choir Loft... Tony Esposito, JoAshley Hall Ushers... Todd Hall Steve Carlton... Gene Doyon, Doyle Shelton Vocational Cross... Dana Nethery Sunday, 8:00 am Altar Servers:... Piper Davis, Eva Blankenberger Cross Bearer:... Branson White Torch Bearers:... Faith Folz, Colleen Allen Incense Bearer:... James Folz Commentator:... LaDonna Downs Lectors:... Judy Folz, Stephanie Blankenberger Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers:... Bob Stites,... Marilyn White, Alex French, Frank Raber Choir Loft... Dan Gardner, Lori Gardner Ushers... Tony Folz, Dennis Folz... Rocky Spader, Dick Dymek Vocational Cross... Scott Davis Family Sunday, 10:30 am Altar Servers:... Nic Luckey, José Nicanor Cross Bearer:...Estafany Nicanor Torch Bearers:... Vy Nguyen, Anna Allard Incense Bearer:... Roberto Nicanor Commentator:...Michelle Sandheinrich Lectors:... Imelda Gorman, Russell Malone Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers:..Damian Sandheinrich,... Kelly King, Wendy Anderson, Rossella Cincotti Choir Loft... Nathan Tillman, Marlee Thomas Ushers... Franco Cincotti, Tommy Wagner... Billy Garnett, James Long Vocational Cross Rogelio Nicanor Family Sunday 2:00 pm, Spanish Mass Comentarista: Lupita Rosas 1-2 Lectura:.Carmen Huertas, Evelia Ocampo Ministro E:...Juanita Montejos, Mayra Tirado Hospitalidad:...Víctor Hernández, Rogaciano Vieyra Monaguillos:..Alondra Hernández, Rafael García Portador de Incienso..Shane Ethridge Portadores de Antorcha Lupita Rosas, Dayana Hernández Portador de la Cruz..Irving Juárez Guadalupana:. Tomasa Montiel Please Pray for our Deployed Ace Crawford, Wesley Britt, Scott Donohue, Louis Fay and Michael Larwa

7 Pastors Greeting: AMBASSADOR OF MERCY & RECONCILIATION In 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 Saint Paul, when speaking of Jesus Christ reconciling us to God, says that we are ambassadors for Christ. God, as it were, appealing through us on behalf of Christ to be reconciled. Clearly, as an Apostle, he shared with the other Apostles the authority from the Risen Lord and through the power of the Holy Spirit to forgive sins in God s name. Not all Christians have that authority to act in the name of Christ and the Church, even though all the baptized can and should in the name of Christ forgive those who offend them. To be credible, however, any Christian needs more than mere authorization and delegated power to be an effective ambassador of God s mercy. We need to have at heart the same compassion that is in the heart of God. As in the parable of the lost son in Luke chapter 15, we need the same attitude which Jesus as moving the father of the two sons. It is not a feeling but a conviction of value which moves us to see and to act as mercifully as our Father in Heaven. This is also illustrated in Mark s account of the healing of the Gerasene demoniac (see Mark 5:1-20). After Legion is cast out of the deranged man, the now sane man begs to remain with Jesus and his disciples. Instead, Jesus tells him: Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you. Jesus makes him an emissary to announce the mercy of God. Something similar happens with Saint Mary Magdalene. Luke 7:2 tells us that Jesus casts seven evil spirits from her. On the day of the Resurrection, she is the one sent with the good news of the Risen Lord to the Apostles and the other disciples. She personally had at heart the value and import of what God had done for us in raising his crucified Son. She knew and understood deliverance on a major scale. Saint Paul refers to himself as the worst of sinners. Many seem to take that claim as a devout exaggeration. Don t, because he is not exaggerating. Of course, we recall that he approved and assisted with the killing of Saint Stephen and then strongly persecuted the Church. He thought himself to be serving God and God s covenant through Moses. I suggest that he is thinking of a graver sin than murder and persecution. By holding that Christ and his disciples were evil, moved by Hell not by Heaven, St. Paul was effectively committing what Jesus referred to as the sin against the Holy Spirit. As long as he persevered in that conviction, he was closed completely from the mercy of salvation and redemption which the Messiah Jesus brought and seeking to prevent others from gaining that salvation. His presumptions were deadly. By confronting Paul and revealing himself risen to him, the Lord made him an ambassador rather than a persecutor of the Gospel. From that time on, Saint Paul never ceased telling all who would listen what God had done for him in his mercy. Acknowledging his sins before Jesus, Saint Peter was made a fisher of men. Being reconciled to the Risen Lord after having denied him with oaths, Jesus sent Peter to tend and to feed his flock. From that time on Saint Peter spent his life in the same way as Saint Paul, acknowledging what MARCH 13, 2016 FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT God s mercy had accomplished for him and for all the world. The Gospel then is carried to the world by those who have in their hearts the conviction of God s mercy born of experience. They are witness of mercy not just narrators of a new catechism or journalists of the news of Jesus. The mother of Jesus testifies to the same mercy from the deepest of convictions, although in this case God s mercy in her is not due to God s forgiving her sins. Sinless, she is aware of the sheer gratuity of God s blessing her, preparing her, and calling her to be the mother and disciple of his eternal, now Incarnate, Son. This is a mercy greater than the forgiveness of sins; greater than the casting out of demons; greater than any healing or deliverance. Her praise of God (Luke 1:46-55) proclaims a mercy which will utterly change the world. She is sent to bear God s Incarnate Word into the world as none other ever could.. The Almighty has done great things for me, and Holy is His name. His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. In this year of Mercy one of the most important things I can do is to ponder very seriously what God in his goodness has done for me. This is not that I should boast in search of praise or admiration, but that I should have in a grateful heart the personal conviction of the truth of God s compassion and mercy. Lacking that I will only be speaking of God as someone who knows about God, not as someone who has met God s mercy through experience. Remember what Jesus asked Pontius Pilate when Pilate asked whether or not Jesus was the King of the Jews? Are you saying this on your own, or have others told you about me? A second hand Gospel, while true in content, does not make one an ambassador for Christ and is not very appealing. We are called by God s mercy to proclaim Christ through conversion and conviction born of experience. What has God in his goodness done for you through Jesus Christ? Fr. Richard KC s Annual Lenten Fish Fries: Join the Monsignor James Willett Council #7847 of the Knights of Columbus for one more Friday Fish Fry during this Lenten Season. Guarantee terrific food and fellowship March 18 th. Serving each night from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with the menu including: Fried Catfish, Slaw, Hush Puppies, French Fries, Drink and Dessert. 7