Divine Mercy Catholic Church 2231 Club Center Drive, Sacramento, CA Tel: (916)

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1 The 2nd Sunday of Lent February 25, 2018 Then from the cloud came a voice, This is my beloved Son. Listen to him. Mark 9:7 Divine Mercy Catholic Church 2231 Club Center Drive, Sacramento, CA Tel: (916) PASTOR Rev. Soane Kaniseli pastor@divinemercynatomas.com Deacon Rick Morales deacon@divinemercynatomas.com Deacon James Ogbonna deaconjames@divinemercynatomas.com Contents Page Sacraments and Rosaries Mass Schedule A Word From 2 Pray without Ceasing 3 Mark Your Calendars 4 Giving is Worship 5 Church Ministries 6-7 Advertisers 8 Full transcripts on A Word From, pg. 2 can be found at: March 4, Sunday, 5:00 pm: Youth Mass, Fellowship Potluck And Holy Hour. See inside the Bulletin for details Sacrament of Penance Saturday 3:45-4:45 PM By Appointment Call the Parish Ofc Sacrament of Baptism Every 3 rd Saturday of the month at 10:00 AM or within the Mass (in some special cases to be determined by the Pastor). Please contact the Parish Office to talk with the Pastor 2 months before the Baptism day. Sacrament of Matrimony Please contact the Parish Office to talk with the Pastor 6 months before the wedding day. Anointing of the Sick Please call the Parish Office. Rosary English: 30 mins before every Mass Spanish: Thursdays at 7:00 PM Chaplet of Divine Mercy Immediately after every Mass Saturday Vigil Mass Sunday Mass 5:00 PM 7:30 AM 9:30 AM 12:30 PM Youth Mass 5:00 PM Every 1 st Sunday of the Month followed by Eucharistic Adoration Spanish Mass Every 2 nd Sunday of the Month Filipino Mass Every 3 rd Sunday of the month Tongan Mass Every 4 th Sunday of the Month 5:00 PM 5:00 PM 2:30 PM WEEKDAY MASSES Mon - Wed - Fri 6:30 PM Tue - Thur - Sat 8:30 AM Every Friday Holy Hour 3-4 PM (Blessed Sacrament Exposed) First Friday Morning Mass 8:30 AM Exposition* 9:00 AM Benediction 5:45 PM Evening Mass 6:30 PM *Hourly Adorers needed during Exposition MISSION STATEMENT ~ To establish a faith-filled community bonded by love. To proclaim the good news, foster personal encounters with the living Christ and strengthen the family by witnessing the gospel values of love, mercy, justice, forgiveness and service to all.

2 Page 2 The 2nd Sunday of Lent At the Mountain Top A Reflection by: Deacon James Ogbonna Divine Mercy Catholic Church Abraham was a man of great faith. In Genesis 12, God tested Abraham asking him to leave his father s land for one unknown. Abraham through his obedience demonstrated that he loved God more than his father s land. Later Abraham s faith led him to a great encounter with God on top of mount Moriah. After the three day journey, as we see in our first reading today, Genesis 22:1-2, 9a 10-13, 15-18, God tested Abraham again to see how convincing and strong his faith was by asking him to sacrifice his son. The call for Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, was for me, as a young child going through the Catholic Faith Formation (CFF) one of the most frightening passages in the Bible. I could not imagine that a loving God would test a parent s faith by asking him to take the life of his innocent child who trusted and looked to him for protection. This was more than what my young mind could comprehend. I also resented Abraham for being willing to comply with the request. I could imagine Abraham s son Isaac innocently looking into the face of his father and wondering why his father would be raising a knife to kill him. Isaac was probably begging his father for his life. Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac to show God how serious his devotion was to him; even if it meant killing the promised son through whom God was to make a great nation. Abraham remained firm in his faith, even as he was tested and asked to put his son to death. I wondered why God would test Abraham to mortal sin, which would be the result if Abraham had sacrificed his son. As I grew up I began to understand this passage fully when I learned the distinction between temptation and test. God tests us to prove our faith. The devil tempts to destroy our faith. St. James clearly stresses this distinction when he says in James 1:2, Consider it a great joy when tests of many kinds come upon you, for you will know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance and God does not tempt anyone to sin. Only the devil tempts us to sin, to distance us from our relationship with the Lord. We can be assured that God will be on our side if our faith is strong and we are ready to make sacrifices on our way toward meeting the Lord on the mountain top. The Church teaches us about the sacrifices we should make during the Lenten season and we are reminded to follow Abraham s example through all seasons. Our first goal should be to obey God without reservation; regardless of the cost as Abraham did. We are told in our second reading today (Romans 8:31b-34), that if God is on our side, nobody can be against us; he will not refuse us anything he can give. We make mistakes despite our best efforts, yet God forgives us since Christ died to redeem us. Christ stands at God s right hand interceding for us. He will also give us the graces we need as we seek him. During the season of Lent, the Church is inviting us to journey with her in faith to the mountain top at Calvary where we will meet our crucified Christ to re-enact the great sacrifice that has redeemed the world. As members of the Church, we are also required to offer our own individual sacrifices for our own salvation through fasting, prayer and works of charity. Are we prepared? Let us replace anger with patience, bitterness with joy, and mean-spiritedness with kindness. We must let go of all things that distract A Word From... us from being close to God. During the 40 days of Lent we should confront those things that cause difficulty in our spiritual lives. Perhaps, you may have been struggling with a particular sin or addiction but have not had the courage to change it or become free of it. Are we willing to discard bad habits that have plagued us over the years? Are we willing to participate in the works of mercy for which this season calls? Will we let our meals go to feed the hungry? We can and will if we will follow in faith as Abraham did. God will provide the grace and courage to sacrifice just as he provided the ram for Abraham at the mountain top. Abraham left his servants at the foot of the mountain while he climbed alone with Isaac to the mountain to avoid distractions. We should do the same in seeking the Lord. God wants us to take the first step with determination in seeking him. He will then come and take control. During this Lenten season there will be distractions and discouragements as we journey to the mountain top. The scripture (1 John 3:2), tells us that we shall be like Jesus when we see him. If that happens we will not be just observers as the Apostles were at the mountain top; we will be participants. We shall no longer ask permission to build temporal tents as the Apostles did; but will dwell in the mansion which Jesus says he has gone to prepare for us. We will not only see Moses and Elijah but also the angels and saints, as well as family and friends who have gone before us. In our Gospel reading for today, Mark 9:2-10, we are given a foretaste of our own transfiguration. Jesus disciples, Peter, James and John witnessed the transfiguration of our Lord, we will experience our own transfiguration when we eventually get to the mountain top; heaven. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, pray for our own religious transfiguration in God s love this Lenten season. Remain focused during this period of Lent in our expedition to the mountain top. Let us obey and sacrifice everything we can on our journey to Easter and beyond. For at the mountain top, our faith will give way to the vision the Apostles witnessed. The prayers of the saints and Our Blessed Lady will help us to achieve this. The Beauty of the Mass: A Walk Through The Worship of God Concluding Rites: During the Concluding Rites, announcements may be made (if necessary) after the Prayer after Communion. The celebrant then blesses the people assembled. Sometimes, the blessing is very simple. On special days, the blessing may be more extensive. In every case, the blessing is always trinitarian: "May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit." It is in the triune God and in the sign of the cross that we find our blessing. After the blessing, the deacon dismisses the people. In fact, the dismissal gives the liturgy its name. The word "Mass" comes from the Latin word, " Missa." At one time, the people were dismissed with the words "Ite, missa est" (literally meaning "Go, she meaning you, the Church has been sent"). The word "Missa" is related to the word "missio," the root of the English word "mission." The liturgy does not simply come to an end. Those assembled are sent forth to bring the fruits of the Eucharist to the world. This concludes our review of The Beauty of the Mass: Walk Through the Worship of God. May our study and observance of liturgical norms and rubrics continue to foster prayerful and fruitful celebration of the Eucharist, that this moment in the renewal of the Liturgy will strengthen us for the ongoing renewal of the Church. Rev. Richard B. Hilgartner Executive Director, USCCB Secretariat of Divine Worship

3 Page 3 Pray without ceasing-...i Thessalonians 5:17 SAINTS AND READINGS OF THE WEEK Sunday, Feb 25 St. Severian GN 22:1-2, 9A, 10-13, 15-18; PS 116:10, 15, 16-17, 18-19; ROM 8:31B- 34; CF. MT 17:5; MK 9:2-10 Monday, Feb 26 St. Isabel of France DN 9:4B-10; PS 79:8, 9, 11 AND 13; SEE JN 6:63C, 68C; LK 6:36-38 Tuesday, Feb 27 St. Leander of Seville IS 1:10, 16-20; PS 50:8-9, 16BC-17, 21 AND 23; EZ 18:31; MT 23:1-12 Wed, Feb 28 St. Hilary, Pope JER 18:18-20; PS 31:5-6, 14, 15-16; JN 8:12; MT 20:17-28 Thurs., Mar 1 St. David JER 17:5-10; PS 1:1-2, 3, 4 AND 6; SEE LK 8:15; LK 16:19-31 Friday, Mar 2 Bl. Charles the Good GN 37:3-4, 12-13A, 17B-28A; PS 105:16-17, 18-19, 20-21; JN 3:16; MT 21:33-43, Saturday, Mar 3 St. Katharine Drexel MI 7:14-15, 18-20; PS 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12; LK 15:18; LK 15:1-3, Sunday, Mar 4 St. Casimir EX 20:1-17; EX 20:1-3, 7-8, 12-17; PS 19:8, 9, 10, 11.; 1 COR 1:22-25; JN 3:16; JN 2:13-25 Catholic Viewpoint, Faith, Hope and Love Catholic Viewpoint, Faith, Hope and Love, with Fr. Kiernan, is now available on Sacramento Faith TV, a local, community-supported, Faithbased network, as guests share faith and life in half hour interviews. Each week a new show airs on Channel 20, Consolidated Channel 19 and AT&T Channel 14, at 7:00AM Sunday, 9:30AM Tuesday, 8:30PM Wednesday and 5:00PM Thursday. You are welcome to share comments, questions or ideas with Fr. Kiernan at: Catholicviewpoint@gmail.com. All the shows are also on YouTube. In the YouTube search bar just type in Catholic Viewpoint, Faith Hope and Love. Then click on the icon, as shown on the left here, which will give you access to all the shows in one place. Remembering the Military in Prayer Almighty God and Father, look with love upon our men and women in uniform and protect them in their time of need. Amen PFC Jose Benjamin Robledo US Army PO2 Stephen J Ramirez, U.S. Navy SN Samantha Chaidez, U.S. Navy SFC. Bryan J. Lowney, U.S. Army Jacob Valdes, U.S. Navy TSTT Jesse R. Bose, U.S. Air Force LCpl Alex Penick US Marines Deven Aguiar-Frank, US Air Force Prayers of the Faithful The Second Sunday of Lent February 25th, 2018 St. Paul reminds us that God is present to us in our needs. Let us now bring those needs before our generous and compassionate Lord. That during this Lenten season, the Church throughout the world will seek renewal in mind and spirit. For the priests serving in the Diocese of Sacramento, that theirs will be voices of hope and encouragement during this desert season. For all those called to the priesthood or consecrated life in the Diocese of Sacramento, that they will enter into the mystery of the Holy Trinity during this Lenten Season. For all who have given generously to the Annual Catholic Appeal for those who are still prayerfully considering what they can give and for all those praying for help from God who will benefit from our generosity. That civil leaders will always be mindful of protecting the rights of the people they have been chosen to serve. That as the apostles saw the glory of God in Jesus, we too may see that every human life, even when frail and feeble, is a reflection of God's glory. That the sick may unite their suffering with the suffering of Christ who carries our burdens with us. That those who have died and are awaiting the day of perfection may share in the triumph of Christ. Remembering the Sick in Prayer Father of goodness and love, hear our prayers for the sick members of our community and for all who are in need. Amid mental and physical suffering may they find consolation n your healing presence. Show your mercy as you close wounds, cure illness, make broken bodies whole and free downcast spirits. May these special people find lasting health and deliverance and so join us in thanking you for all your gifts. We ask this through the Lord Jesus who healed those who believed. Amen. Evelyn de Jesus Dennis Sandoval Olivia Duran Kim Torres Jesus Rojas Jesus Lujan Divine Mercy Catholic Church is not liable to users of the data or information provided herein, or to any other party, for any loss or damage, consequential or otherwise, including but not limited to time, money or goodwill, arising from the use, operation or modification of the data or information. What Is BEST LENT EVER? It s a free program that will guide you on an incredible 40-day journey to become the-best-version-of-yourself, making this a truly life-changing Lent. Sign up for the BEST LENT EVER at bestlentever/

4 Page 4 MASS INTENTIONS Mark Your Calendars WEEK AT A GLANCE Sunday, Feb 25 2ND SUNDAY OF LENT 7:30 am Beth Canby + Fr Michael Evan Smith, Jr. + 9:30 am Policarpio Alarcon + Fr Soane Angel Escarcha (Special Intentions) Rosita Tibon + 12:30 pm Roselyn Enghoy (Special Intentions) Fr Soane Eliseo Baron + 2:30 pm TONGAN MASS Fr Soane Monday, Feb 26 6:30 pm Wilhelmina Delfin + Fr Michael Teresita R. Esmero (90th Birthday) Sr. Emmie Ronan (Birthday) Tuesday, Feb 27 8:30 am Dolores Salvador (Thanksgiving) Fr Michael Erlinda Delos Trinos + Wednesday, Feb 28 6:30 pm Fr Soane Thursday, Mar 1 8:30 am Cayetano Fernandez, Sr + Fr Soane Killed in action US Marine Corp Vietnam War 1966: Lance Corporal Richard Wolcheski Sgt Patrick Kelly, Jr Private James Hubisz Private First Class Franklin Gilbert Friday, Mar 2 8:30 am ENGLISH MASS & EXPOSITION Fr Michael 6:30 pm ENGLISH MASS & STATIONS OF THE CROSS Fr Soane Corazon Millano + All Souls in Purgatory Saturday, Mar 3 8:30 am Fr Soane 5:00 pm John Salas Cruz + Fr Michael Sunday, Mar 4 3RD SUNDAY OF LENT 7:30 am Dionsisio Millano (Special Intention) Fr Michael Armando Sagario + Evelyn De Jesus (Speedy Recovery) 9:30 am Macario & Elena Pitoy + Fr Soane Mary Yee Shaw + (10 Year Death Annv) 12:30 pm Fr Soane 5:00 pm YOUTH MASS Fr Soane Rosalia & Gerardo Rosario + Sunday, Feb 25 9:00 am (P1) RCIA I 10:00 am (P3) RCIA II 10:30 am (Narthex) CFF Class 10:45 am (Church) Choir Practice 2:00 pm (P5) Women s Welcome Team 1 Meeting 4:00 pm (P1/2/3) Tongan Community Fellowship 6:00 pm (P8) Welcome Men's Team 2 Monday, Feb 26 4:00 pm (Narthex) RCIA make up classes 5:30 pm (Narthex & All Portables) CFF Class 6:00 pm (Narthex) Pastoral Council Meeting Tuesday, Feb 27 9:00 am (P1,2) Catechist of the Good Shepherd 9:30 am (Narthex) Exodus Bible Study 9:30 am (P9) Inner Circle Prayer Group 3:30 pm (P1,2) Catechist of the Good Shepherd 7:00 pm (Narthex) Pastoral Council Meeting Wednesday, Feb 28 9:30 am (P9) Divine Mercy Cenacle 5:30 pm (P1 & P2) CFF Choir Practice Thurs, Mar 1 9:00 am (Narthex) Altar Society - Flower Arrangement 5:00 pm (P3) Legion of Mary 6:00 pm (P5) FPU Class 7:00 pm Spanish Rosary (Church) Friday, Mar 2 9:00 am (Church) Exposition of Blessed Sacrament 3:00 pm (Church) Holy Hour 4:00 pm (Church) Chaplet of the Sacred Heart 5:00 pm (Church) Holy Hour to the Sacred Heart 5:45 pm (Church) Benediction 7:00 pm (P7/8) Bible Timeline by Jeff Cavins 7:00 pm (Narthex) Lenten Dinner 7:30 pm (Church) Adult Choir Practice Saturday, Mar 3 10:00 am Angels of Mercy Food Distribution 3:45 pm (Church) Confession-Father Michael

5 Page 5 Fiscal Year July June 2018 Week ending February 18, 2018 OFFERTORY REQUIREMENTS (July June 2018) Average 4 week Month Requirement $ 63,000 Weekly Average Requirements $ 15,750 Week of: 4-Feb wk 1 $ 22,681 Week of: 11-Feb wk 2 $ 16,578 Week of: 18-Feb wk 3 $ 10,303 Week of: 25-Feb wk 4 $ - $ - Total Collections This Month $ 49,562 Shortage (x,xxx) / Savings Increase $ (13,438) CHURCH MORTGAGE Mortgage Loan Balance 1/28/2018 $ 2,558,846 THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR PARISH This Week: Weekend Mass attendance totaled 1, families gave 73.5% of our $8,398 Weekend Offertory Giving is Worship DIVINE MERCY PARISH OUR CHURCH, OUR HOME CHALLENGE #1 PAYING OUR BILLS: Result: While offertory HAS increased during the past months, we have not consistently met our goal. To meet it, every Parish family has been asked to add $5 per week to their regular offertory donation. If you haven't already done so already, please help your Parish home pay its expenses by adding $5 to your offertory. The Mortgage Reduction Offering is Next Weekend Saturday and Sunday, March 3rd and 4th! Please prayerfully consider what you can give to help the Church s efforts in reducing the balance on the mortgage. We will be taking a second collection for this all important offering. We are thankful to the 15 families who gave sacrificial gifts totaling $1,663 for our Mortgage Reduction collection. Ministries and Outreach Special Collection, 101 families gave $1,036 Ash Wednesday collections, 143 families gave 50% of the $4,542 collected Challenge 2 Cup of Sacrifice Collection for Infrastructure Repairs, 110 families gave $1,298 God Bless You for Your Continuing Generosity Have your gift recorded by using envelopes. We will provide you with a record of your tax-deductible donations every year. Don t have envelopes? Call Parish office to request it s easy! Annual Catholic Appeal pledge cards are available in the Narthex until the 25th of February. You can fill one out and drop it in collection baskets during the Mass. The Trappist monks at the Abbey of New Clairvaux in Northern California, just 20 minutes north of Chico, invite Catholic men ages to take some time from their busy lives, and come and find silence and stillness, while deepening their relationship with God, through a free Monastic Experience Weekend, March 9-11, Participants will have a chance to pray the Divine Office, learn about Lectio Divina, hear the Abbot's Chapter talk, share several meals with the monks, and much more. Again, there is no cost involved, this is entirely free of charge. For further information or to register, please go to or contact Father Guerric Llanes OCSO at x 205 or by to godseeking@newclairvaux.org. You can also see more on the Abbey's web site, and on their Facebook page and Instagram at

6 Page 6 Divine Mercy Catholic Church Ministries CFF News and activities Cff Children s schedule.mark your calendars! March 4/5: CFF Class March 10 at 10:00 am - First Reconciliation March 11/12: CFF Class March 18 - CFF Family Mass at 12:30 sponsored by the Grade 3 Class and Families March 18/19: CFF Class March 24 at 8:30 am-3:00 pm: Mandatory Eucharist Retreat for First Communion Children and Parents (Church/P1-3) March 25/26: CFF Class EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: First Friday of the month is March 2nd, The Blessed Sacrament is exposed from 9am to 5 pm for an all day opportunity to adore the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Please come and develop a closer, deeper loving relationship with Him. There is a black sign-up book in the Narthex. We need at least 2 people to commit every hour and spend quiet time with Him. SHDMDM General Meeting Reminder: 1st Tuesday of the month, March 6th Tuesday, at 5:30 pm in P-9. Families or individuals interested in having Enthronements of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and/ or The Divine Mercy in their homes, please contact: Flora Cabrera (916) , Kathleen O Rourke (916) , Cita Basco (916) , Hedy Cruz (916) Angels of Mercy We are currently assisting 54 households. We are growing and are amazed that a l l y o u r d o n a t io n s a r e k e e p ing u p. Curre n t n e e d s : Pasta, pasta sauce, rice, beans (white, black, red), tuna, garbanzo beans and juice. All donations are appreciated. May God bless your giving hearts! To be added to the Parish s Warrior Prayer Chain lopez-kathleen5341@sbcglobal.net Saint Patrick s Day Kids Night Out Sponsored by: Daughters of the King Youth Group Saturday March 17th 6:30-10:00 pm In the Portables Kids ages 4 years old and up will enjoy games, snacks, movies, and more. The cost is only $10 per child, with a max cost of $30 per family. Space is limited so be sure to sign up after Mass on the weekends of March 3-4 or March See you there! Grief Support Group Our Consolation Ministry offers a monthly Grief Support Group for those who have lost a loved one, no matter how long ago the loss occurred. We meet on the fourth Saturday of every month in the Narthex meeting room, from 9:30 11 a.m. There is no cost to attend. Note: These regular meetings provide timely information that helps the bereaved person cope with their loss, while discussing the issues they face and listening to others who have also lost a loved one. Privacy is respected. For more information, or if you have questions, please call Ron or Susan Wright at (916) Say the Rosary every day...pray, pray a lot and offer sacrifices to sinners I m Our Lady of the Rosary. Only I will be able to help you. in the end My Immaculate Heart will triumph... Our Lady at Fatima Processions are on the 13th of every month. Contact persons are Tess Mostajo and Auring Pagala Holy Hour of Adoration Every Friday at 3:00 pm The time you spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the best time you will spend on earth. -St Mother Theresa Ministry to the Sick and Homebound If you have any Catholic friend or relative who is homebound and sick, please contact the Parish office at for: Communion Anointing Confession Visitation

7 Page 7 Divine Mercy Catholic Church Ministries March 4th Each Sunday, a family, couple, or individual is called forward at Mass to receive the vocation cross and a special prayer written to accompany it. In taking the cross, they commit themselves to pray during the week for an increase in holy vocations, and the gift of our priests, sisters, brothers, and deacons. All are invited to participate. Please pray for all of the Sacramento Diocese Priests. To see who has signed up and to those who have not signed up yet; please stop by and check out our SIGN - UP CORNER at the Narthex counter top. Please take the Vocation Cross home with you. We need families to accept this prayer mission at all Masses Saturday Vigil, Sunday 7:30, 9:30 and 12:30 Masses Is God inviting you to Pray for the Vocations?

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