First Sunday of Lent March 5, 2017

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2 WELCOME TO OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CHURCH First Sunday of Lent March 5, 2017 Facility Reservations Calendar Please confirm events at Sat, Mar 4 th Intercessory Meeting 9:00am, St. Anne s Room Baptism - Follett 12:00pm, Church PTG Event 6:00pm, Parish Hall Sun, Mar 5 th Open Gym OLA Basketball 7:30am, Parish Hall Flame Meeting 10:00am, St. Paul s Room RCIA 11:00am, St. John s Hall Group Baptism 12:00pm, Church Mon, Mar 6 th School Band 2:00pm, Parish Hall Girl Scout Leaders Meeting 5:00pm, St. John s Hall Troop 328 Scout Meeting 6:45pm, Seton Hall Liturgy Committee Meeting 7:00pm, St. Paul s Room Christian Meditation 7:30pm, School Library Tues, Mar 7 th Young Rembrandts Art Program 3:05pm, School Meeting Room Bereavement 6:30pm, St. Anne s Room Wed, Mar 8 th Lil Angels Photography 7:45am, St. John s Hall School Band 2:00pm, St. John s Hall Thu, Mar 9 th Lil Angels Photography 7:45am, St. John s Hall Parish Staff Meeting 1:15pm, Rectory SVdP Meeting 4:00pm, St. John s Hall Fri, Mar 10 th Sowing for Jesus 8:30am, St. Anne s Room School Liturgy 10:50am, Church Lenten Soup Supper 5:45pm, St. John s Hall Stations of the Cross 7:00pm, Church Book Fair Set Up 7:30pm, St. John s Hall Sat, Mar 11 th Book Fair 9:00am, St. John s Hall Baptism Vellanoweth 10:00am, Church Knights of Columbus The Knights of Columbus Arden-Carmichael Council 4970 will be having a recruitment drive after all the Masses the weekend of March 18 th & 19 th. If you are interested in joining the Knights or have any questions about the work we do for our parish, diocese and community please stop by and we will be happy to answer your questions! Mass Requests To request a Mass, please contact the Parish Office. Sat, Marc 4 th 5:00pm Benigno Reyes Reyes Family Cenobia Reyes Reyes Family Sun, Mar 5 th 8:00am Joe Davey Ridenour Family Richard Oswald Don & Terry Bailey Family 9:30am Mario Affinito Nancy Affinito Ethel Martin Nancy Arndorfer 11:00am Exner & Devlin Families Kathleen Davis Tolm Mahaney Fred & Susan Oliver 7:30pm OLA Parishioners Fr. Eduino Mon, Mar 6 th 8:00am Msgr. Jim Church Mary Giacomotto Albers Family Tues, Mar 7 th 8:00am Bernard Johnson OCSO OLA Parish Zel Ridenour Tracy Dennison Wed, Mar 8 th 8:00am Don Felton Bill & Fran Rider Thur, Mar 9 th 8:00am Mary Brothers Jones Family Fri, Mar 10 th 8:00am Noelle Malone Jim & Mary Spitzer Sat, Mar 11 th 5:00pm Pat & Benigno Reyes Family Vic McDermott The Madigans Save-The-Dates March 11 th -12 th Youth Group Book Sale March 17th St. Patrick s Day Dinner & Stations - RSVP March 24th Fish Fry Dinner & Stations - RSVP April 17 th - 22 nd Slurry Sealing & Restriping Walnut Ave. Parking lot and area near Food Locker. Those visiting the parish office will need to park on the Cottage Ave. parking lot. We appreciate your patience with this much needed process.! April 28 th School Annual Golf Tournament May 5 th & 6 th Annual Country Fair September 29 th & 30 th Diocesan Ministry Days Hearing Assist Devices Available Please see our ushers to get a hearing assist device.

3 REFLECTIONS & JOYFUL OPPORTUNITIES The Struggle Against Evil by Fr. Eduino, OLA Pastor We begin this great season of Lent remembering Jesus temptations which affects all of us. Jesus was tempted to not trust in God. He rejected the evil one by His fidelity to God s Word saying that we do not live on bread alone but on every Word that comes from the mouth of God. Sometimes we too are called to make the same decision, to trust God s word and promises or to give in to other ideas and our own thoughts and desires. Choosing God and His Word and commandments always bring life. Jesus is the great example for us. So this Lent is an opportunity for us to listen to Jesus that we are to love God and others as Jesus loved us. The Staircase of Lent by Dean Marshall, OLA Seminarian In Mexico City, there is a monument known as the Ángel de Independencia, or the Angel of Independence, which sits aloft a tall spire, arms outreached to the square below, golden wings pointing toward the sky, commemorating the independence of Mexico. Inside the monument, there is a winding staircase and to get to the top, you must utilize this staircase, which is small, dark, and seems almost endless. When you get to the top, however, you are greeted by a magnificent view of one of the centers of commerce and tourism in Mexico City, the Plaza Reforma, and you realize that despite the work, sweat, and apprehension, the trip up the stairs was well worth the effort. This, my friends, is Lent. Lent is hard work, but it is well worth the effort. During these 40 days, we journey with Jesus Christ through the desert, and learn that one does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. Among our daily concerns and activities, we remember through the journey of Lent that everything we do and say must be focused on God, for from God we receive all our blessings and our very lives. In Lent, we seek to pray, fast, and give in order to reorient ourselves towards God and His Word. Our Lenten sacrifices and journey would carry no meaning if we did not remember the reason for it all: the passion, death and resurrection of Christ. The gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ renews us and justifies us, and it is this sacrifice and gift of Jesus that gives Lent its fullest meaning. By journeying with Him in the desert for these forty days, we are led with Him to the Cross on Good Friday. From the Cross, we are led to His tomb, and from His tomb, we are led to the moment where our faith is ratified. Through the long dark staircase of Lent, which we climb together with Jesus Christ, we will come out into the glorious light of Easter morning. For Reflection: In what way, perhaps outside the usual Lenten sacrifices, can I pray, fast, or give, to make this Lent meaningful for myself and others? Lenten Soup & Stations Schedule Date 5:45pm Soup Host 7:00 8:00pm Stations Host March 3 rd Knights of Columbus Liturgical Board March 10 th Pastoral Council Martha & Mary Group March 17 th 5:30pm Corned beef & Cabbage Music Ministry Music Ministry March 24 th 5:30pm Fish Fry Social Group Faith Formation, School, Youth Group March 31 st St. Vincent de Paul Lectors April 7 th P.E.R.T. St. Vincent de Paul Good Friday None Deacon Michael PARISHIONERS PARENTS MARK YOUR CALENDARS! CONTINUE YOUR LENTEN JOURNEY WITH BISHOP BARRON S STUDY OF THE EUCHARIST. Come and join your fellow parishioners beginning Wednesday, March 22 nd, and continuing March 29 th and April 5 th in St. John s Hall from 7:00pm - 8:00pm to continue your Lenten journey with Bishop Barron s Study of The Eucharist. Bishop Barron offers inspiring insights into the mystery of Christ s presence in our lives and the centrality of the Eucharist as an important part of that presence. So many believers do not understand the Eucharist, which Vatican II said is the source and summit of the Christian life. This fresh look at the Eucharist brings to light its reality as sacred meal, the sacrifice necessary for communion with God, and the Real Presence of Christ. Parents: Drop your son/daughter off for Youth Night and come spend an hour refreshing yourself in the reality of the Eucharist.

4 OPPORTUNITIES TO LIVE YOUR FAITH 24 Hours for the Lord This year we are going to rotate reconciliation services across the parishes in the deanery once again, but this time the 24-hour period will be spread over a number of days from March 6 th through March 10 th. Below is a schedule of the hours where reconciliation will be offered in each parish. These services will be in lieu of our usual parish reconciliation service we hold during Lent. The respective parishes will devote, during the same time, Exposition and Adoration. Monday, March 6th St. Mel - 12:00pm to 2:00pm St. Joseph - 6:00pm to 9:00pm Tuesday, March 7th St. John the Evangelist - 12:00pm to 2:00pm Our Lady of the Assumption - 6:00 to 9:00pm Wednesday, March 8th Our Lady of Lourdes - 12:00pm to 2:00pm St. Ignatius of Loyola - 6:00pm to 9:00pm Thursday, March 9th Presentation - 12:00pm to 2:00pm St. Philomene - 6:00pm to 9:00pm Friday, March 10th St. Lawrence - 12:00pm to 2:00pm St. John Vianney - 6:00pm to 9:00pm Vocations Cross Prayer Campaign OLA has a Vocations Cross Prayer Campaign. Each week, a family will take home the Vocations Cross. During their week, they commit to praying for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life, as well as for our priests, seminarians, and religious in the Diocese of Sacramento. The cross will then be returned to the parish the following Friday, and presented to a new family at the Mass they normally attend. If you are interested in participating, please contact Dean at or seminarian@olaparish.net. Next Women s Book Club Meeting: March 13th The OLA Women's Book Club meets monthly, usually the second Monday of each month, depending on room availability. The book club will next meet on March 13, 2017, in St. John's Hall at 6:30pm to discuss the selected book, "Woman in Cabin 10". Join us for a lively discussion. All are welcome. For more information regarding the book club, contact Mary Anne Campos at campos@sbcglobal.net. Thank you. Parish Vocations Ministry You are invited to attend the Parish Vocations Ministry meeting on Thursday, March 16, 2017 at 6:30pm in St. Paul's Room. The Parish Vocations Ministry seeks to promote a culture of vocations in the parish, praying for new vocations to the priesthood and religious life, organizing initiatives such as the Vocations Cross campaign, and encouraging young people who express an interest in a religious vocation. This ministry is not time intensive, and will be meeting once every three months. If you would like more information, please contact Dean Marshall at seminarian@olaparish.net or call the parish office. Respect Life Ministry Are you passionate about the pro-life cause, supporting life from conception to natural death? Attend our Respect Life Ministry Meeting on Thursday, March 23 rd at 6:30pm in St. Paul's Room. The Respect Life group will seek to promote the cause through prayer, information, and events such as the Walk for Life and the Mother's Day Rose Sale. The ministry will meet once every two months. If you would like more information, please contact Dean Marshall at seminarian@olaparish.net or call the parish office. Don t Give Up Chocolate For Lent! Join Dynamic Catholic for Best Lent Ever, a FREE program designed to help you have a life-changing Lent. This is based on Matthew Kelly s latest book, Resisting Happiness. This year s program will help you identify what stands between you and happiness and what to do about it. You ll get short inspirational videos, practical tips, and study guide which can be used for groups or individuals. Sign up at BestLentEver.com. This program is ideal for individuals and a small Lenten prayer groups. Grab some friends and give it a go!

5 2017 Lenten regulations Diocese of Sacramento Lent this year begins on Ash Wednesday, March 1. Lent prepares the faithful to celebrate the Paschal Mystery of Christ s suffering, death and resurrection. It is a time for reflection and spiritual renewal, a time to examine one s relationships with God and with others. The Church also calls Catholics to a spirit of penance, above all to practice the Acts of Religion : fasting, prayer and almsgiving, which express conversion in relation to oneself, to God, and to others. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos.1969 and 1434). The faithful are encouraged to take full advantage of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and for parishes to offer ample opportunity for them to do so. I. FASTING AND ABSTINENCE - To foster the spirit of penance and of reparation for sin, to encourage selfdenial, and to guide us in the footsteps of Jesus, Church law requires the observance of fast and abstinence (CCC, nos ). 1. Abstinence: All persons, 14 years and older, are obliged to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of Lent, with the exception of Friday, March 17, St Patrick s day. Since St Patrick is a co-patron of this diocese, Bishop Soto has granted a special dispensation from the normal Lenten discipline that day. 2. Fasting: Everyone, from ages 18 to 59, is obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Voluntary fasting on other weekdays of Lent, especially on Wednesdays and Fridays, is highly recommended. Fasting is generally understood to mean that one full meal may be eaten. Two other small meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be eaten; but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids are allowed. Other forms of fasting, especially from alcoholic beverages, needless television, video games, the internet and social entertainment, is of true spiritual value and is strongly encouraged. When health or ability to work would be seriously affected, neither the law of fasting nor the law of abstinence obliges. If in doubt, one s parish priest or confessor may be consulted. Airport workers, travelers, and others while on board ships or airplanes are dispensed from the laws of fast and abstinence for the duration of their journey (except on Good Friday). It is desirable that they perform some other pious act instead. II. PRAYER - In order to deepen one s love for Christ, Catholics are urged to read and pray with sacred Scripture; to study the Catechism of the Catholic Church; to participate in devotions offered by the parish; and to pray more fervently -- individually, as families, and in common with others. The faithful are exhorted to pray the rosary, visit the Blessed Sacrament, pray for vocations to the priesthood and the religious life, world peace, and for an ongoing implementation of the pastoral initiatives of the Third Diocesan Synod. 1. Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation: Lent is a privileged time for celebrating this sacrament. Parishes generally make readily available the Sacrament of Penance, including its communal celebration. (In this way, the social and ecclesial aspects of sin and reconciliation, as well as one s personal reconciliation with God may be underscored.) At communal celebrations of reconciliation, however, general absolution is not permitted. People should attend also to reconciliation in every aspect of human life -- personal, familial, societal, and ecclesial. During the Lenten and Easter time, Catholics are reminded that they are obliged to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance at least once a year. 2. Lenten Mass Schedule: Daily Masses during Lent are to be scheduled so as to facilitate the attendance and spiritual growth of the faithful. The faithful are urged to attend Mass on weekdays as often as possible. Get On The Bus I am inviting you, as members, as the faith community to heed the call to be partners in this special ministry by informing and encouraging participation and support of Get on The Bus through your donations, volunteer efforts and your prayers for the program and the children it serves. ~Bishop Myron Cotta. Get On The Bus rallies Catholic faith communities throughout the state to provide the children of incarcerated parents with a visit to see, touch and talk to their mother or father the power of the gift of presence. For more information about how you can get involved, contact Jackelin at or jackelin@getonthebus.us. Jesuit High School Presents: With Your Whole Heart, A Lenten Catholic Social Teaching Series Please join the Jesuit High School Theology Department in praying and studying with Catholic Social Teaching and the readings of Lent. Each week will explore a different topic. Sessions will be self-contained. Participants can attend any sessions for which they are available. Please contact Sara Brabec at sara.brabec@jesuithighschool.org with any questions. RSVPs welcome but not required. Evenings will take place in the Jesuit High School Choral Room from 7:00pm - 8:15pm. March 15 th : Catholic Social Teaching and Immigration, March 22 nd : Catholic Social Teaching and Environmental Justice, March 29 th : Catholic Social Teaching and Racism, April 5 th : Catholic Social Teaching and Poverty.

6 YOUTH Sacramento Life Center 2017 Baby Bottle Project February 27 th March 30 th The Sacramento Life Center is a licensed community medical clinic and offering free pregnancy and related health services, along with community resources and referrals in a confidential and compassionate life-affirming environment. See our website saclife.org for more information. Students in Pre-K through 12 th grade fill baby bottles with coins, dollars and checks from family and friends for the Sacramento Life Center. The project offers a great opportunity for conversations about life, babies and the people in our community who need our help. OLA s school and faith formation families are participating in this worthwhile project. OLA decided to give this opportunity to ALL our parish families and ministry groups. If you would like to participate in this, please come by the parish office and pick up your bottle and information sheet. OLA Youth Choir and Ensemble (Grades 3-12) All parish and school children grades 3-12 are invited to participate in these activities. We are looking for both singers and instrumentalists. Practices are from 6:00-6:55pm on Wednesday evenings in the church. Please contact our Music Director, Casey Oliver, with any questions at or worship@olaparish.net. OLA Youth Group Events Used Book Sale - The Youth Group will be holding a used book sale the weekend of March 11 th and 12 th in St. John s Hall. We are gratefully accepting donations of gently used books, games, puzzles, DVDs, and CDs from now until the sale. Please do not include encyclopedias, reference books, textbooks or magazines. Donations can be brought to the Parish Office during regular business hours or you can call to arrange for a pick up. Please contact Johann at or youth@olaparish.net. OLA School Preschool - Eighth Grade Information & Tours Applications are considered on an on-going basis. Information can be found at or by contacting Jane Ricci at ext. 202 or development@olaparish.net. Personal visits are also available by appointment with Jane Ricci. OLA Preschool Thanks You! Big thanks to Annie Villegas, Auction Fund-an-Item Chairperson, and for all those who prayed for and participated in the auction that got us covered for the hot weather ahead! Worldwide Marriage Encounter Married Couples: The greatest gift you can give each other is to love unconditionally. Learn how you can give your spouse this unconditional love by making a World Wide Marriage Encounter Weekend. It will be a weekend that you will never forget. Upcoming weekends are: March 31-April 2, 2017 in Reno, NV.; August 25-27, 2017 in Sacramento; October 6-8, 2017 in Reno, NV.; and November 3-5, 2017 in Sacramento. IT IS NOT TOO EARLY TO REGISTER FOR A WEEKEND THAT YOU WILL NEVER FORGET. For more information visit our website at: or contact Terry & Janet at or applications@sacramentowwme.org.

7 STEWARDSHIP & ENLIGHTENMENT OPPORTUNITIES Thank you for your generosity on February 25th & 26th Weekend Offertory: $10, Electronic Giving: $ 1, Total: $11, Average Weekly Budget Amount: $13, It is written: The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve. Matthew 4:10 Tempted between the riches and power of this world and service to God, Jesus chose service to His Father. If we wish to truly follow Jesus, we, too, must decide to turn away from power and riches and put God at the center of our lives. How is God calling you to serve? Our Lady of the Assumption Parish invites you to consider our electronic giving program, ParishPay, as a way to automate your regular weekly offerings. Electronic giving is convenient for you and provides much-needed consistency for our church. There is no cost for you to participate. If you are currently giving on a weekly basis, you will no longer need to write out 52 checks a year or prepare 52 envelopes. And when travel, illness or other circumstances prevent you from attending services, this program will allow your weekly offerings to continue on an uninterrupted basis. To sign up, simply go to olaparish.net and click on donation or you may call the Parish Office for assistance. TurnAround Coffee House Make a difference in your community. Volunteer and help to change someone s life. The TurnAround Coffee House is staffed by an allvolunteer workforce. We are seeking volunteers to help out a few hours each week. If you are interested in volunteering we could use your help. We have 3-4 volunteers staffing the coffee house at all times, bussing tables, greeting guests, making coffee etc. Call Kathy at for more information on how you can help. Needs List: monetary donations, gift cards, clothing, shoes, household items, cleaning supplies, toiletries, gardening and home improvement items, tools, office supplies. This Coffee House and your donations enable us to assist homeless individuals seeking recovery from drug and alcohol abuse through the Clean & Sober Homeless Recovery Communities. Estate Planning A legacy gift to Our Lady of the Assumption is one of the most rewarding and far-reaching investments you can make. Our Lady of the Assumption takes the trust you place in us seriously and has used previous gifts to support the educational needs of our students, the liturgical and basic necessities of those helped by our charity partners locally, as well as investing in the future of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish. We are grateful to those who have included us in their plan for the distribution of their assets after death. We pray that you will keep Our Lady of the Assumption Parish and/or School in mind. We invite you to contact the Parish Office if you wish to learn more about how you can include us in your estate planning. The Diocese of Sacramento Annual Celebration CHRISM MASS You are cordially invited to join Bishop Soto and Bishop Cotta, the priests of the diocese, and your Catholic brothers and sisters as we pray for God s continued blessings on the Church of Sacramento on Thursday, April 6th at 6:00pm at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. Annual Lenten Soup & Station Nights Come and break bread with your fellow parishioners. Various ministries will bring soup. The Parish will supply water, bread and butter. We will also have plastic soup bowls and spoons. You are welcome to bring your own soup bowl. All soups have a vegetarian only base. No chicken or beef broth can be used. The soup supper begins at 5:45pm in St. John s Hall and is followed at 7:00pm with the Stations of the Cross in the Church. We look forward to seeing you! Natural Family Planning We are excited to share the good news of Natural Family Planning to all Engaged and Married Couples! We are in your area, teaching a 3 part series on 3 rd Tuesdays from 6:30-8:30pm, beginning in February, May, and September 2017 at the Sacrament Life Center at 2316 Bell Executive Lane, Sacramento, This $130 course is taught by certified teaching couple Colin & Meghan Bardin. Please contact them at or megbardin@gmail.com. Classes are also offered by other teaching couples in South Sacramento and Roseville. Visit CCLl.ORG.

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