St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church

Transcription

1 St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church 2414 Seventeenth Street, Gulfport, Mississippi Telephone (228) Fax (228) Staff: Rev. Joseph Uko, Pastor Deacon David Allen, Pastoral Associate Sr. Mary Kealy, PBVM, Pastoral Associate Teri Patton, Parish Secretary Masses: Saturday Vigil: 5:00 p.m. First Saturday Devotion: 9:00 a.m. Sunday: 8:00 & 10:30 a.m., 6:00 p.m. Daily Mass: Monday through Friday: 7:00 a.m. Spanish Mass: Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Holy Days: 6:00 p.m., Vigil, 7:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. Confession: Saturday 4:00 4:45 p.m. and anytime on request March 8, 2015 ~~ Third Sunday of Lent I, THE LORD, AM YOUR GOD The Ten Commandments are apodictic laws, imposing a command directly. What if today we were to consider the words of Paul and Jesus in today s readings not merely as guidance, but as apodictic laws? Paul wants to dispel dissension among the Christians at Corinth and point out the difference between lukewarm believers and those who are called. His laws from today s second reading would read: 1. Thou shalt not put human wisdom above God s wisdom. 2. Thou shalt not demand signs. 3. Thou shalt not put human strength above God s strength. 4. Thou shalt accept the paradox of the cross. Can a people who grew up singing I Did It My Way embrace the painful paradox of the cross, which demands we do it his way? Paul s commandments demand submission, sacrifice, and service. If they were written in stone, would they create more committed Christians or fewer folks in the pews on Sunday? Would they bring us to our knees or send us out the door? CLEANSING THE TEMPLE The Gospel adds one more commandment to today s short list: Thou shalt not use religion for personal gain. We are to keep our business separate from God s business. Jesus whip of cords leaves no doubt that he means business, and he offers his body on the cross to prove it: Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up (John 2:19). But can we accept the paradox of the cross or are we often subtly serving ourselves in the name of Christ? Do we honor human achievement, material success, and personal power more than humility, simplicity, and compassion? This Lent, as we prepare to welcome new members into our communities, let s show them that we also mean business that we are a community of people who do it his way, not our way. Let s live our lives according to all fifteen commandments, so that others will say of us, And they (finally) came to (really) believe the scripture and the word Jesus had spoken. Copyright 2005, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.

2 Third Sunday of Lent March 8, 2015 I, the LORD, am your God... You shall not have other gods besides me. Exodus 20:2a, 3 C.C.D. (Grades K-12)... Sundays, 9:00-10:15 A.M. Knights of Columbus... 1st & 3rd Wednesday, 7:00 P.M. K C Ladies Auxiliary... 3rd Tuesday, 6:30 P.M. R.C.I.A...Tuesdays, 6:30 P.M. St. Vincent de Paul... 2nd Wednesday, 9:00 A.M. Young At Heart... 4th Thursday, 12 Noon THE PATH TO FREEDOM Most of us, if we were asked Does the phrase the Ten Commandments appear in the Bible? would likely get it wrong, because the answer is no. The Ten Commandments is a post biblical, phrase that developed along with an image of God as police officer that is not found in today s passage from Exodus. The first phrase is the key: God is the one who brings us out of slavery; following God s law or commands is our path to freedom. The moneychangers whom Jesus drove from the temple were not explicitly breaking any of the commandments, but neither were they helping people to find God s path to freedom as they came to worship at the temple. This is an important Lenten lesson for us. We need to stop asking ourselves whether or not we are breaking specific rules or regulations and instead examine our lives to see if we are truly following a path to God s freedom through Christ. Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. Welcome to St. John the Evangelist Church! If you are new to the parish and have not yet registered, please call Happy birthday wishes to: Jane Valdez, John King & Nicholas Norton celebrate Mar. 7; Tracy Kline celebrates Mar. 9; Sen Nguyen celebrates Mar. 10; Elnora Ladner & Mike Quigley celebrate Mar. 12; Lyndon Ladner celebrates Mar. 13. May God Bless them with many more Happy Birthdays! The second collection at all Masses this weekend is for church maintenance. The second collection at all Masses next weekend is Catholic Relief Services The Catholic Sharing Appeal- Our Christianity calls each of us to Do everything for the Glory of God. We can do this by supporting the Catholic Sharing Appeal. Help us meet our goal of $30,465, this year. Brochures are mailed to all parishioners by the Diocese. Attached to the brochure, is a pledge card along with an envelope to mail your pledge directly to the Diocesan CSA office. If you did not receive your envelopes, you will find some on the back tables. You are cordially invited to help us celebrate Seder Supper on Tuesday, March 17 at 6:00 p.m. in Presentation Hall. Every year we tell the story of our faith which culminated in the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper, and we explain Biblical truths about Jesus, and what happened on the last day of his life. All that is required to attend is a covered dish to help us complete the meal. Please RSVP to to Teri and let us know how many will be attending. There is a sign up sheet on the center table. Fund Raising Committee- We will have a meeting of the fund raising committee on Wednesday, March 25 at 6:00pm in the parish office building. Everyone on the committee, PLEASE attend. If you are not on the committee and would like to join and help us in any capacity...you are welcome. You can call the parish office with any questions. Thank you! The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick! On Tuesday, March 10 at 12 Noon our church family will celebrate the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick within Mass. Please invite and encourage those you know who need this Sacrament to join us in this celebration.

3 Abstinence: Abstinence from eating meat is to be observed on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays during Lent by those 14 years and older. Fasting: There are two days of fasting, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. The obligation begins the day after one s 18th birthday until the day of one s 59 th birthday. Fasting means that one full meatless meal per day may be eaten. Two other meatless meals may be taken sufficient to maintain strength, but together they should no equal a full meal. Liquids, including milk and fruit juice may be taken between meals. If health or ability to work are affected, fasting does not obligate. Private, self imposed observance of fasting during Lent is strongly recommended. Parents are to see that children are not bound by Church laws are educated in an authentic sense of penance, conversion and reconciliation. Lenten Schedule Daily Mass: 7:00am, 12:00noon Stations of the Cross: Fridays of Lent, 6:00pm The Stations of the Cross will be prayed on the Fridays of Lent at 6:00pm in the church. Everyone is encouraged to come join in prayer with our Parish Family. The following Parish Ministry Groups will lead us in praying The Stations of the Cross. Mar CCD and Prayer Group Mar. 20 Fr. Uko Mar. 27 Live Way of the Cross by the Youth of the Parish at 3:00pm-Presentation Hall WEST HARRISON COUNTY ULTREYA March 7:00 pm St. Joseph Parish Hall, Depew Rd. Gulfport Lay Speaker: Karen Henderson, St. Joseph, Gulfport Spiritual Speaker: Fr. Jacob Matthew Smith, St. John, Gulfport (et.al.) If you would like to bring drinks or food to share feel free to do so, but it is not necessary. Just come and fellowship with other Cursillistas. Altar Server Training Training Classes for new Altar Servers will begin soon. The Requirements to join classes are: -Must be a member of the parish -Must attend Mass weekly -Must be in at least-third Grade and have made First Holy Communion -Must attend all classes Adults are also welcome. Applications are on the tables in the back of the church. Please complete and return to the parish office. Dates of classes will be announced soon. The Popes Intentions for March GENERAL Scientists- That those involved in scientific research may serve the well-being of the whole human person. MISSION Contribution of women- That the unique contribution of women to the life of the Church may be recognized always. Travel with Fr. Martin J. Gillespie, pastor of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Columbia, MS, on our pilgrimage to Italy! We will travel to Rome, Tuscany, Florence, Assisi, and Venice. The trip dates are August 8-16, 2015, and the cost is $ , airfare and ALL-included. To register, please contact (855) or (508) You can also register online at Click on "Low Season Trips" under "Choose Your Trip", and then "Italy Regular". Please consider taking this once in a life-time pilgrimage. GOD S WORD TODAY We proclaim Christ crucified. Saint Paul s words come to us on this, the mid-point of our Lenten journey. As we listen to the challenging words of today s scriptures, let us remember that it is the cross of Christ that reveals the central truth of Christian faith. For on that cross, the Lord took upon himself the sins of all took on every breach of God s commandments and won salvation for those who would turn away from sin and believe in the Gospel. From Saint Margaret Sunday Missal, copyright J. S. Paluch Company

4 William Allen Theresa Barlow Lisa Bass Mary Anne Bishop Ruby Bouchard Harriett Bowles Pablo Cabasa Carol Campbell Danny Carlisle Fr. Gerard Cleary Buddy Cospelich Rhonda Cospelich Kevin Crane Gerald Cuevas Linda Eschler Deanne Fasold Lynn Foster Felecia Galle Nicole Gilbert Jal Giuffria Peter Giuffria Betty Godo Tom Goode Anna Grice Please Remember in Your Prayers Jessi Hebert Hazel Herrington Klaus Jeschke Mary Kealy Kemberly Lacap Gary Lacy Elton Ladner Diane Lefkowitz Herman Lefkowitz Joann Liner Patty Loftin Walter Lolley Celeste McInnis S. J. Marengo Dot Miller Rhonda Mires Luz Monzon Karen Nelson Tillie Nettles Melvin Olive Kent Olsen Trey Patterson Jane Pendergrass Gary Reeves Chris Richards Randy Richardson Glenda Rockwell Sharon Rogers Ken Saxon Joseph Schultz Don Seymour Gary Seymour Marie Stanbro Norman Stanbro Wanda Stephens Emerson Stringer Tracy Taylor Lisa Thompson Bennye Turner Becky Truxillo Felecia Vann Kathleen Walker Jim Wetzel, III Rosemary White Addie Wittmann Ginger Worth Prayer is the door through which all God s Graces comes to us -St. Theresa of Avila TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION Participating in Lent, we are engaging in patterns that have endured across the centuries. From very early times, we have the sense of accompanying the elect on their journey to the font. From as long ago as the fourth century, we receive Lent as forty days to shake the dust from our spirituality and reorder our conduct. Then, fasting was not seen as a strict duty, yet it seems it was widely observed. Think of the rules of politeness and courtesy that everyone agrees on. Fasting was also seen as a social duty, since food was in short supply as winter wore on, and the weak and the sick had the first claim on what remained on hand. As a boost to the fasting of the body, the church developed a richer spiritual fare, including celebration of the Eucharist every day. This practice began in Rome by the sixth century. Weekday Mass was only at designated stations. The pope would arrive on horseback at the stational church. In those days, although the catechumenate was already in eclipse, there were pre baptismal activities at the stational Masses: the giving of the Lord s Prayer, prayers for the godparents, and constant references to baptism. Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. TODAY S READINGS First Reading The law was given through Moses (Exodus 20:1-17 [1-3, 7-8, 12-17]) or Exodus 17:3-7. Psalm Lord, you have the words of everlasting life (Psalm 19) or Psalm 95. Second Reading We proclaim Christ crucified; the foolishness of God is greater than human wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:22-25) or Romans 5:1-2, 5-8. Gospel Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up (John 2:13-25) or John 4:5-42 [5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42]. The English translation of the Psalm Responses from the Lectionary for Mass 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved. READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: 2 Kgs 5:1-15b; Ps 42:2, 3; 43:3, 4; Lk 4:24-30 Tuesday: Dn 3:25, 34-43; Ps 25:4-5ab, 6-7bc, 8-9; Mt. 18:21-35 Wednesday: Dt 4:1, 5-9; Ps 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20; Mt 5:17-19 Thursday: Jer 7:23-28; Ps 95:1-2, 6-9; Lk 11:14-23 Friday: Hos 14:2-10; Ps 81:6c-11ab, 14, 17; Mk 12:28-34 Saturday: Hos 6:1-6; Ps 51:3-4, 18-21ab; Lk 18:9-14 Sunday: 2 Chr 36:14-16, 19-23; Ps 137:1-6; Eph 2:4-10; Jn 3:14-21 Alternate readings (Year A): 1 Sm 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a; Ps 23:1-6; Eph 5:8-14; Jn 9:1-41[1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38] SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: Third Sunday of Lent; First Scrutiny; Daylight Saving Time begins; Girl Scout Sunday Monday: St. Frances of Rome Friday: Abstinence Collections Identifiable: $5883 Unidentifiable: $1048 ACH: $1520 Hospitality: $448 Thank you for your generosity! MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK Saturday: +Debbie & Joey Haydel Sunday: 8:00am +Dr. Edmund Crane; +Matthew & Thelma Serpa +Vincent & Helen Dauro; 10:30am +John McWaters +For the Holy Souls 6:00pm People of the Parish Monday: 7:00am- +Raymond Howze Noon-+Sam Alman III Tuesday: 7:00am- +Gloria White Noon-+Cliff Thomas Wednesday: +Mackie Fayard Thursday: +Conrad Williams Friday: +Stanley Nolan

5 Annual Lenten Friday Fish Plate Fund Raiser St. Therese Catholic Church Hall, Dine in or take out Every Friday during Lent beginning February 20th,,11:00am-1:00pm Includes Fried Catfish, potato salad, peas, bread, cake $9.00 per plate; $1.00extra sides (drinks not included) Delivery on orders of 10 or more; delivery starts at 10am To place orders call Thank you for your support! Sacred Heart Parish in Pascagoula, 3702 Quinn Dr., will host a Contemplative Prayer Retreat and Renewal Day on Sat., March 14 from 9 am until 3:30 pm. A free will offering will be accepted and snacks and lunch will be provided. For more information or to register call or HOPE AND PERSEVERANCE A COMPANIONSHIP RETREAT FOR SINGLES AND COUPLES Saturday March 7th from 8:00-11:00AM. At ST. MICHAEL. Call to sign up As Soon As Possible. We need to order supplies. Please support our Bulletin Advertisers! Take a bulletin home with you and look at all our advertisers. We appreciate their generosity and support of our parish. When you patronize them, thank them for their support of our parish. Calendar of Events Mar 10 Anointing of the Sick, Noon Mar 17 Seder Meal, Presentation Hall, 6pm Mar 23 Lenten Penance Service, 6pm Mar 26 Young at Heart, Presentation Hall-Noon Mar 29 Palm Sunday - Apr 2 Holy Thursday-Mass of the Lord s Supper, 7pm Apr 3 Good Friday - Live Stations of the Cross at 3pm Good Friday Services at 7pm Apr 4 Easter Vigil at 7pm May 3 First Holy Communion, 10:30 Mass May 9 Confirmation at 5:00pm Mass May 10 Mothers Day May 17 Recognition of Seniors at 10:30 Mass May 24 International Festival & Raffle, After 10:30 Mass Reminder, if you or anyone in your family is ill at home or in the hospital and would like us to visit you-please call the parish office at

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