Parish Staff. New Parishioners If you are new to our parish and would like more information please contact the Parish Office.

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1 Nativity of Mary Church and School E 36th Terrace Independence, MO Parish: (816) School: (816) Web: My attitude must be Christ s. - Philippians 2:5 Parish Staff Rev. Robert Stone, Pastor Mrs. Mary Parrish, Principal Melissa Clancy, Business Manager New Parishioners If you are new to our parish and would like more information please contact the Parish Office. Pastoral Care Sacraments for the Sick. Fr. Bob Stone, , ext. 404 Mass Schedule Monday: 8:30 a.m. Communion Service Weekday: 8:30 a.m. Tuesday - Friday Saturday: 4:00 p.m. Sunday: 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Holy Day: 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Confessions Saturday: 3:00 p.m. or by Appointment Pastoral visits to the Homebound and Hospitals. Paula Cassity, , ext. 401 Emergency Assistance Contact St. Mary s Food Pantry and Clothes Closet Youth Ministry Debbie Page, , ext. 408 School School, Early Childhood and Extended Care Carmen Wolfgeher, Sacrament Preparation Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation, Adult Initiation (RCIA), and Matrimony Contact the parish office for information Music Ministry Maria Milazzo, Parish Ministry Council Marilyn Mineart - Chair Diocesan Victim s Advocate Kathleen Chastain or chastain@diocesekcsj.org Ombudsman Jenifer Valenti, or JeniferValenti@att.net

2 MARCH 18, THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT MASS INTENTIONS READINGS OF THE WEEK - MARCH 19-25, 2018 Sat., March 17 - Vigil of the 5th Sunday of Lent 4:00PM + John Rhodes & Maxine Breunig Sunday, March 18 - The 5th Sunday of Lent 8:00AM + Leo Guempel 10:30AM + Bud Vitt & John Shull Monday, March 19 - St. Joseph, Spouse of Mary 8:30AM COMMUNION SERVICE Tuesday, March 20 8:30AM + Harold Knipp Wednesday, March 21 8:30AM Nativity of Mary Parish & School Thursday, March 22 8:30AM + Maxine Breunig Friday, March 23 - St. Turibius of Mogrovejo 8:30AM + John Rhodes Sat., March 24 - Vigil of Palm Sunday 4:00PM + Maxine Breunig Sunday, March 25 - Palm Sunday 8:00AM + Toni Thornton & John Pott 10:30AM + Caterina DiGaetano PLEASE PRAY FOR: Vern/Margaret Ault Marla Herbst Mike Singleton Michael Bell Vicky Hohlbaugh Patrick Singleton Sara Breunig Cynthia/Dennis Jones Bernice/Norm Steffen Steve Christensen Paula Kienberger George Timko, Jr. John Clarke Katie Lesmeister John Tuccillo Kelly Cook Dan Mangold Mary Vitt Tracey Costanzo Betty Mascal Carol Byrd Weaver Bob DeSchepper Jack McEnroe Alyssa Webb Roni Durkee Juan/Mary Perez Beth Whorton Mary Enyart Carlos Pinon Daniel Wheeler Garry/Emily Gagnon Steve Reasoner Ralph Wolfgeher Barbara Garrett Mike Rooney Ayden Wright Monday: 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 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: Ez 37:21-28; Jer 31:10, 11-13; Jn 11:45-56 Sunday: Mk 11:1-10 or Jn 12:12-16; (procession) Is 50:4-7; Ps 22: 8-9, 17-20, 23-24; Phil 2:6-11; Mk 14: :47 [15:1-39] TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION Over the next two weeks, as we hear of the interior anguish of Jesus, we are led to the Garden of Gethsemane, the scene of a night of suffering, failure, and loss. In Hebrew, the word means "olive press," and it was an olive grove, although only a few trees remain. Olives can't be eaten off the trees, they need to be cured--knocked from the trees at harvest time, scooped into a stone basin, and cracked open by a heavy millstone. The crushing stone weight was itself called a "gethsemane," and once it was lowered onto the olives, oil from the fruit and the inner stone would drip into a groove and flow into jars. The night before his death, Jesus experienced such anguish that scripture says his own blood perspired from him, an image no one who understands olive oil production could miss. Today, the Mount of Olives is within the city of Jerusalem and the site of the Church of All Nations, also known as the Basilica of the Agony. It was built in 1924, funded by Catholics in twelve different countries. An open-air altar on the grounds is used by Anglicans on Holy Thursday every year. Nearby is the Russian Church of Mary Magdalene, built by the czar in 1888, its magnificent golden domes a distinctive landmark. There is also another tiny Catholic Church, called Dominus Flevit, or "The Cry of the Lord," built in a teardrop shape in the mid-1950s. For centuries, the Franciscan order has had the care of the shrines of the Holy Land, and our Good Friday collection helps sustain these precious sites. Rev. James Field, Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Co.

3 MARCH 18, PARISH NEWS Did You Know Your filled Ark for our Lenten Project, Heifer International, needs to be brought back to church next weekend. The goal of every Heifer Project is to help families achieve self-reliance. They do this by providing them the tools they need to sustain themselves, and it s thanks to the generosity of donors like you. Your donations we help us purchase our 21st ark. Grandma Rosie s Rolls Your family can enjoy delicious made from scratch dinner rolls with no effort! They are Grandma Rosie s special recipe and are made especially for you by On A Roll Catering. The cost is $7 per dozen and all profits from this sale will go to Nativity of Mary. Order forms can be found in the back of church. Orders are due by Monday, March 19th. Gluten-free hosts are available. Talk to Fr. Bob before Mass. We have 2 wheelchairs and hearing assist devices available for your use during mass. Please contact an usher. NATIVITY OF MARY CONTRIBUTION REPORT 3/3/2018 & 3/4/2018 Envelopes $ 12, Plate $ Church Debt $ 1, Pisces Fund $ 2, Utility Fund $ EFT $ - Credit Card $ Online Giving $ Poor Box $ Total $ 18, Tuition/Registration Fees $ 17, Tuition/Registration Fees $ 23, Thank you for supporting our Parish Community and Catholic Education! We are purchasing flowers to decorate the church for Easter. If you would like to make a donation in memory of a loved one please fill out the form below and drop it in the collection basket by March 25th. All the names will be listed in the bulletin Easter weekend. Your Name In Memory of Devotional candles are kept in the kiosk. If you would like to light one just ask an usher for assistance. There is a slot and envelopes available in the kiosk to place your $5 donation. If you have a suggestion, concern, or comment you would like the Parish Ministry Council to address there are cards on the kiosk for you to fill out and drop in the slot. FORE! THE PLAY WITH FIRE 20 TH ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT WON T YOU JOIN US? MONDAY, APRIL 30TH HILLCREST GOLF CLUB This tournament helps support the F.I.R.E. program, Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education, that is in several of our diocesan schools including Nativity. Please contact Susan Williams, Development Manager at the FIRE Office for sponsorship opportunities. swilliams@diocesekcsj.org or

4 MARCH 18 - APRIL 7, 2018 CALENDAR Sunday 18 8:00AM Mass 10:30AM Mass St. Joseph s Table 10:30am 3:30pm 7PM - Lenten Offering - Love & Forgiveness Monday 19 8:30AM Communion Serv. Tuesday 20 9AM - Quilters 7PM - RCIA Wednesday 21 7PM Choir Rehearsal Thursday 22 Friday 23 2PM - School Stations of the Cross 7PM - Station of the Cross Saturday 24 3:00PM Confession 4:00PM Mass Cinnamon Bread & Raisin Bread 8:00AM Mass 10:30AM Mass 9AM Choir Rehearsal :30AM Communion Serv. 9AM - Quilters 27 1PM - 8th grade Living Stations of The Cross 7PM - RCIA 7PM Choir Rehearsal 28 7PM - Mass 29 7PM - Service 30 8PM 31 April 1 8:00AM Mass 10:30AM Mass 8:30AM Communion Serv. 2 9AM - Quilters 7PM - RCIA 3 4 7PM - Altar Society Meeting 5 9AM - Noon Eucharistic Adoration 6 3:00PM Confession 4:00PM Mass 7

5 SCHOOL - MARCH 18, 2018 KINDERGARTEN ROUND UP APRIL 12TH - 6:00 P.M. - 7:30 P.M. Please join us for Kindergarten Round Up if you have a Kindergarten aged student for next year. We will tour the school, learn about curriculum, and make connections with other parents. The children will be able to socialize with an activity while the parents talk with Mrs. Parrish and Mrs. Everhart. History shows that the more familiar you and your child are with their new school and classroom, the more successful he/she will be in school. We look forward to meeting everyone or introducing you to some new folks. Please continue to recycle your junk mail, office papers, newspapers, etc. Our recycle bin is in the south parking lot behind school. Thursday March 22, 2018 Pie Five in Independence Please save pop tabs, boxtops and Best Choice barcodes for our school. You can drop them off at the school or church. STA GOLF TOURNAMENT As you look forward to spring, we hope you'll save the date for St. Teresa's Academy's annual Golf Classic, Monday, May 14, 2018 at Country Club of Leawood. For information contact Sarah Ralph at sralph@stteresasacademy.org or (816) This summer, St. Michael the Archangel High School will be sponsoring summer athletic camps for kids. The camps will be run by coaches from St. Michael the Archangel. The list of sports available, as well as registration info can be found at smacatholic.org/camps. For more information, please contact Rich or rweitz@smacatholic.org.

6 MARCH 18, THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT We are now at the fifth Sunday in our Lenten preparation. The focus of the readings turns our attention from the rules we read about during the third week to a new covenant, a new relationship between God and all of us. Jeremiah tells us of God's intention to enter our very hearts, the center of our life. The psalm asks for a "clean heart" so that we are ready to receive the joy of salvation. Hebrews tells us that Jesus too prayed, was made perfect, and became the source of eternal salvation. In John, Jesus explains the contradiction that this new relationship involves: death becomes life. God gives everything to us, including forgiveness. God holds back nothing from us, giving us even the beloved Son, Jesus. WRITTEN IN STONE The rules written on the stone tablets given to Moses are easy to remember, if not so easy to follow. Today we learn that the rules are no longer outside ourselves but that God has written them on our hearts. God says, "I will be their God and they shall be my people." We are now bound in a relationship with God and are not just following God's rules. The model for the relationship is Jesus. Jesus, Son though he was, was made perfect through his suffering and became the source of salvation for all of us, who are far less than perfect. Jesus describes this relationship as a grain of wheat, whole unto itself, that falls into the embrace of the earth and is broken in order to produce the life-sustaining wheat. WRITTEN IN FLESH When the rules are written on our hearts, we must look within to measure ourselves, to discover what God expects of us. We are not servants. We are God's people. We are not strangers or foreigners. We are God's people. This kind of relationship, like a deep friendship, a marriage, or parent and child, requires a whole-hearted commitment, a willingness to put the lives of others before our own. We share with Jesus such a relationship, a deep longing for God so that our lives have a meaning beyond their measure. Each of our lives is more than a series of experiences, events, accomplishments. Each of our lives embodies in our flesh the work of God that we see incarnated in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. This relationship expects more of us than rules. This relationship gives us more than rules. This relationship asks for our life and in return gives us eternal life and salvation. Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Company If your parish celebrates the Mass for the Third Scrutiny for catechumens preparing for Baptism at the Easter vigil, you may hear the Gospel story of Jesus raising his friend, Lazarus, from the dead. One of the many lessons learned from this Gospel story is that of Martha s confession of faith in her friend: Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world. Raising Lazarus from the dead was a miracle and a clear display of God s power. It was also an unmistakable sign that Jesus was the Christ. Good stewards of their faith see signs of Christ s presence all around them and are eager to respond in faith. The stewardship question for us is: Who or what will be the Lord of our lives? Will it be Christ Jesus? And if so, how will we respond to him? Are we willing to walk in his footsteps and follow his example? If your parish does not celebrate the Mass for the Third Scrutiny for catechumens, you may hear the Gospel story of Jesus inviting his disciples into a great mystery with curious pronouncements: Those who love their lives just as they are will lose them. If a grain of wheat dies, it will bear much fruit What does Jesus mean? The climactic event of Jesus passion and death is drawing closer; a time when the great confrontation between Jesus and the powers of darkness take place. When Jesus is lifted up, he will draw all to himself. The Christian steward knows life can t be lived in complacency. We are called to die to self, bear more fruit, be raised up with Jesus. Jesus brings discomfort to those who are comfortable. Jesus urges us to give witness in his name. How will we respond? Catholic Stewardship February 2018 e-bulletin

7 MARCH 18, THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT JOIN WITH CATHOLIC CHARITIES TO OUTPACE POVERTY About 16 percent of the population in our diocese struggles with poverty, including hardworking parents, retired adults and one in five children. Imagine the powerful image of members of our Catholic community united to help them during the Outpace Poverty Fun Run/Walk, Saturday, April 21, 2018, at Loose Park in Kansas City, MO! The walk begins at 9:00 a.m. Catholic Charities invites everyone to participate in this family-friendly event, which features food, fun, sports mascots and music. All proceeds stay in our diocese to support people working to transform their lives through Catholic Charities programs and services. Please register - or start a team to raise funds and deepen your impact - today. Registration is open now at Questions? Contact: Susan Walker at LIVING AS A SON/DAUGHTER IN THE SON - NO LONGER AN ORPHAN! FRIDAY, APRIL 6TH, 7:00-9:00 P.M. SATURDAY, APRIL 7TH - 9:00 A.M. - 9:00 P.M. ST. PETER CHURCH HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE LEGACY CENTER 815 E MEYER BLVD., KANSAS CITY, MO Special guest speaker Fr. Philip Scott will speak on the healing of Mother/Father wounds. Fr. Philip will present the Good News that we can bring the wounds we carry within us to the Lord for healing. The weekend will include other speakers, Saturday Vigil Mass and healing prayer ministry. Full conference is $20 per person; $35 for married couples; Saturday only $15; Religious and teens free. For registration form, meal options or questions call Carol at A limited number of financial scholarships are available. Sponsored by KC Catholic Charismatic Renewal. DINING TO DONATE WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2018, 11:30 A.M. - 9 P.M. JASPER'S RESTAURANT W. 103RD ST., KCMO Enjoy a great meal and help the CSJs at the same time. Jasper's will donate 20% of the proceeds to benefit the good works of the sisters. HEALING TOUCH PRESENTED BY ASSOCIATE JODY HUESCHEN, CSJA SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2018 DOORS OPEN AT 8:30 A.M.; PROGRAM IS 9:00-11:00 A.M. ST. THERESA S ACADEMY, WINDMOOR CENTER 5600 MAIN ST, KANSAS CITY, MO Treat yourself to an enriching Saturday morning program that promises to feed your mind, body and spirit. Healing Touch is a relaxing, nurturing, heart-centered energy therapy that uses gentle intentional touch that assists in balancing physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. Healing Touch is a collection of standardized noninvasive techniques that works with your energy field to support your natural ability to heal. Cost is $15 per session, breakfast included. Our hearts are restless, Oh Lord, until they rest in you. The Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph is committed to combating sexual abuse in the Church. If you are a victim of sexual abuse, or if you observe or suspect sexual abuse: 1. Call the Missouri Child Abuse Hotline at (if the victim is currently under the age of 18), and 2. Contact your local law enforcement agency or call 911, and 3. After reporting to these civil and law enforcement authorities, report suspected sexual abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult to the Diocesan Ombudsman, Jenifer Valenti, at or JeniferValenti@att.net, if the abuse involves a priest, deacon, employee or volunteer of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. The Diocese has a sincere commitment to providing care and healing resources to victims of sexual abuse and their families. Please contact Victim Advocate, Kathleen Chastain, at or chastain@diocesekcsj.org for more information.