SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER PARISH MARCH 12, 2017

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1 SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER PARISH MARCH 12, 2017 And He was transfigured before them... ~Matthew 17:2 OUR MISSION STATEMENT ST. FRANCIS XAVIER IS A CATHOLIC- JESUIT PARISH IGNITED BY THE EUCHARIST TO PRAY, SERVE, DO JUSTICE, AND LOVE.

2 Exploring the Traditions of Penance & Preparation Tradition is a lantern. The foolish hold on to it, the cleaver allow it to lead the way. ~ George Bernard Shaw The story of Jesus entering the desert to fast and pray for forty days is the scriptural origin of Lent. It is this fast of Jesus, as recorded in all the synoptic gospels, that presents the analogical source of our Lenten fast. These forty days, by which Jesus purified his desires and prepared himself for public ministry - and which, further, symbolize the purification of Israel through its forty years in the desert - become the model of future ascetic practices in the Church and captured the imagination of early Christians. It is no wonder, then, that as the Church began to prepare people for baptism, the symbolism of the forty days was seen as a natural and appropriate period for catechesis; and indeed, the sole source of Lent was long thought to be this catechetical desire shaped by this story. However, the preparation of the catechumens for entry into the Church at Easter is only one dimension of Lent, and one way in which this season connects to Jesus in the desert. Recent scholarship ties Lent to a forty day fast celebrated in Egypt immediately following the feast of the Epiphany. In the Egyptian church, where Mark was the primary gospel, the Feast of the Epiphany had nothing to do with the visit of the Magi, but with the showing forth of God in Christ at the baptism in the Jordan. That a penitential fast would follow this feast draws a direct parallel to Jesus own experience and suggests that Lent was never only about the catechumenate, but also these forty days were a time of preparation and teaching and preparation for Christ s ministry. Thus analogously it continues for initiated Christians a season of catechesis and preparation. While, the experience of the desert offer an analogy that becomes important for the Lenten season, baptismal preparation may still be its most immediate source. From Rome, around the fifth century, we have the first record of a fast used to prepare people for entry into the Church at the Easter Vigil. Although the tradition seems more ancient, by the fifth century, the evidence is strong that there was a fast of probably three weeks - which explains the scrutinies that occur on three different Sundays during Lent. Yet, even in the fourth century, the impetus for a forty day fast seems to have been growing - an expansion perhaps tied to a guideline given at the first ecumenical council of Nicaea in 325 (from which we get the Creed). Thus, by the year 340, the forty-day fast before Easter is a firmly established Roman custom. Today, the dual focus of Lent is clear. It is a time for both penance and preparation, a time to prepare those who will be accepted into the Church and a time for all the faithful to deepen our own understanding of the faith. With the reestablishment of the Easter Vigil (1958) and the growth of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), the idea of welcoming new members into the Church has again become a major focus of Lent. Declaring adult baptism the normative form - although infant baptism continues to be more often practiced - the Church has renewed the importance of the catechumenate and, in that, has restored a vital symbolic dimension of the Lenten season. Although retaining much of its penitential character, Lent now also calls all Christians and Christian - initiates to journey towards conversion, deepening catechesis and not simply reconciliation. The Church proclaims that all Christians remain, in a sense, catechumens, remain women and men needful of a return to Christ. In this way, the penitential aspects of the season become symbols of renewal and recommitment to Christ and to understanding our faith. We are in need of both tradition and penance, both fasting and prayer, continue to be something for the whole community as it grows increasingly into a people of God. Pastor 2

3 Lent 2017 COMMUNAL PENANCE SERVICE Tuesday, April 4th at Noon and 7:00 pm Taize Prayer Service from 6:00-6:45 pm STATIONS OF THE CROSS with the exception of Good Friday we will partner with St. Anthony Parish 217 Tremont 5:00 pm on Friday at St. Anthony Parish March 17th, 24th, 31st and April 7th The Filipino community will be praying the Way of the Cross in their native language of Tagalog on March 17th at 6 pm in the church. All are welcome to join. HOLY WEEK SERVICES Lenten Project This year, for our Lenten Project, we will be focusing on raising awareness and sending support for two programs: the Jesuit Refugee Services efforts toward providing educational opportunities for children living in refugee camps around the world and scholarships for those children right here at St. Joe's Early Education Program who have recently resettled in Missoula from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. You will find a donation form in the purple envelopes in the pews, in the entrances and on the website. Please prayerfully consider how you might be able to help those in so much need, both here and abroad. Holy Thursday April 13th 7:00 pm Mass (No 8:00 am Mass) Prayer 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm Good Friday April 14th: Private prayer & Reconciliation Noon---3:00 pm Stations of the Cross at 3:00 pm Good Friday Service at 7:00 pm EASTER VIGIL April 15th at 9:00 pm EASTER SUNDAY April 16th 8:00 am, 10:00 am, & Noon Mass 3

4 Items of Note: The Most Reverend George Leo Thomas Bishop of Helena Invites you to the Mass of Chrism Monday, April 3, :30 in the evening Cathedral of Saint Helena If you have a red, choir hymnal that you are no longer using, might you return it to the parish center? We have some new people joining the choir and are running low on choir hymnals. Thank you! During the season of Lent, we will sing "These Alone are Enough" as our communion meditation hymn. This song is based on The Suscipe prayer of St. Ignatius Loyola. The Suscipe is not found in the Spiritual Exercises, but rather was included by Ignatius as additional material in regards to the "contemplation for attaining love" at the end of the Exercises. Ignatius speaks of the immeasurable love of God that is bestowed upon all creation, and then asks what he might offer to such a loving God. We will resume singing the "Anima Christi" at Easter. Mary Martha knitting will meet on March 13th. Musikanten Missoula is sponsoring an evening performance of J.S. Bach s Johannespassion, on Friday, March 31st at 7:30 pm here at St. Francis Xavier. In this dramatic work Bach sets text directly from the Gospel of St. John The Evangelist (tenor Daniel Hutchings) sings the narration of the scripture, with bass Art Bumgardner singing Jesus words and baritone Robert Tuder the speeches of Pilate. The chorus (Musikanten and guest artists) sings the cries of the angry crowd as they demand the crucifixion. 4 soloists reflect in moving arias the feelings of those present that last day, and the choir changes roles to sing the serene chorales interspersed in this emotional scene. Tickets are available in advance at Rockin Rudy s, and at the door on Friday evening: $30 General Admission /$10 Students. For more Information, call Bitterroot Baroque (314) Historic St. Mary s Parish Annual St. Patrick s Day Dinner We have a few books to give away in Reidy Hall - come and see. Thursday, March 16th 4:00 to 7:00 pm 400 Charlos St., Stevensville Dinner of corned beef, cabbage, potatoes & carrots. Hot rolls, dessert and a drink will round our the menu. Cost of dinner is $12. for adults & teens, children ages 5 to 12 are $7.00. Hot dogs & chips will be available for those less Irish oriented and children under 5 are free. Green beer will be available for adults, with the first glass free. 4

5 SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER ~~ MISSOULA, MONTANA 420 West Pine Street, Missoula MT, , sfxmissoula.org MARCH 12, 2017 Prayers May --- Eoin Carver receive His healing and consolation. SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT OFFICE HOURS: Monday-Thursday 8:30 am - 4:00 pm Friday 8:30 am - Noon stfrancisxavier@sfxmissoula.org. Phone: Fax: May --- Don Tomlinson, Adalia Kenck, MaryAnn Bertlin, Dr. Charles Umhey, Jr., and Lorene Loran rest in peace in Our Lord s Loving arms. Collections for Sunday, March 5, 2017 Envelopes $ Loose: $ Novena $ Black & Indian Missions $ Thank you for your generous giving! Weekend Liturgies Saturday ~~~ 5 p.m. Sunday ~~ 8 am, 10 am, and 6 p.m. Weekday Liturgies Monday - Friday ~~ 8 am Confession -Saturday ~~ 3:30-4:30 p.m. or by appointment Eucharistic Adoration Wednesday & First Friday ~ 8:30 am - 3:00 pm on Facebook at St. Francis Xavier Church, on and on Instagram at sfxmissoula. Follow all the events, news, and photos of life here at St. Francis Xavier. Donate On-Line at SFX More and more churches are turning to online donations to meet the needs of parishes and parishioners. So many transactions in our personal lives are now done on-line, so why not your weekly donation to St. Francis Xavier? Take a minute to check out just how easy it is by visiting sfxmissoula.org and clicking Donate Online. You'll be directed to the WeShare Link where you can set up your ordinary donation. Thank you so much for supporting online donations at St. Francis Xavier Parish. The Serenity Prayer during the Novena of Grace attributed to St. Ignatius should be noted as being by Reinhold Niebuhr. Remember to add our parish App to your phone and stay connected! Novena of Grace Thank you to everyone who helped to make our Novena a success. From Setting up, to taking down, organizing of the pews, lectors and those who assisted in prayer. St. Francis Xavier Parish will often use parishioner likeness in print, video, website or in social media sites for the purpose of sharing our church community with others. 5

6 March 12, 2017 The annual Catholic Youth Convention (CYC) takes place March in Helena with more than 400 youth and leaders and teens from around the state. Ignite: Missoula Young Adult Group: Join Ignite for prayer and fellowship. - ignitemisssoula@gmail.com or Facebook - Ignite Missoula - Catholic Young Adult Group Ever wondered why we really pray, why did Jesus have to die or why does God allow evil?" If so, come join the SFX Youth Group and area teens to explore these questions as part of the Alpha Teen video series. Open to all 8th-12th grade students whether Catholic or not. We will meet from 7:45-9:00pm Sundays at various parishes for food, fellowship, and discussions. For more information and CYC registration, contact JoeYakawich@SFXMissoula.org. Religious Education Dates March Sunday School-March 12th. No Sunday school the last 2 weeks due to Spring Break. 9AM to 9:50AM. Loyola Building. CLOW-March 12th, 19th, and 26th. 10AM Mass. 1st Eucharist Prep.-March 28th- Reidy Hall-6:30PM to 8PM. RCIA - March 1st-6:15PM in Loyola Building. March 8,15, and 29th at 7PM. Mass Intentions for the Month of March 2017 Mass Scriptures for the Month of March, 2017 Saturday 3/11 Sunday 3/12 Monday 3/13 Tuesday 3/14 Wednesday 3/15 Thursday 3/16 Friday 3/17 Saturday 3/18 Sunday 3/19 Monday 3/20 Tuesday 3/21 Wednesday 3/22 Thursday 3/23 Tom & Clair Leonard* Theresa Terri Finley (Novena) Linda Pyle Trisha Hagen For the People* The Society of Jesus*(Novena) Jerome Steyee Lea Bethume* Kim Hughes The Holy Souls Closest to Heaven Mary O Riordan Sheila Combo Germaine Angle Ester Corra For the People* Lorene Loran Vincent Friia Jr. Molly Caplis Betty DeStefano Mass Stipend Suggested Mass stipend is $20 tax deductible... only the intangible value of prayer... 6 Monday 3/13 Dan. 9:4b- 10 Ps. 79 Luke 6:36-38 Tuesday 3/14 Isa. 1:10, Ps. 50 Matt. 23:1-12 Wednesday 3/15 Jer. 18:18-20 Ps. 31 Matt. 20:17-28 Thursday 3/16 Jer. 17:5-10 Ps. 1 Luke 16:19-31 Friday 3/17 Gen. 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a St. Patrick Ps. 105 Matt. 21:33-43, Saturday 3/18 Mic. 7:14-15, Ps. 103 Luke 15:1-3, Sunday 3/19 Exod. 17:3-7 Third Sunday of Lent Ps. 95 Rom. 5:1-2, 5-8 John 4:5-42

7 A Jesuit Window Into Western Montana Life in the 1840 s & 50 s with Sally Thompson Sponsored by the Northern Rockies Heritage Center March 18, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. Heritage Hall 3255 Fort Missoula Road : info@nrhc.org POPE'S PRAYER INTENTION Support for Persecuted Christians: That persecuted Christians may be supported by the prayers and material help of the whole Church. Laugh for Life! Comedian Dan Kulp Friday, March 31, 6:30 pm Sovereign Hope Church Tickets $10 in Advance; $15 at the Door Proceeds go to Life Net of Missoula Knights of Columbus and St. Anthony Parish are sponsoring a Lenten Fish Fry. It will be held at St. Anthony Parish Activity Center beginning at 5:30pm till 7:00pm on the Fridays during Lent (March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, April 7). Stations of the Cross at 5:00pm and Mass at 5:30pm precede the Fish Fry. Dinner prices are: Adults (13 years to?) - $9.00 Children (5 years to 12 years) - $5.00 Children under 5 - Free Family (Mother/Father & their children under 18) - $30.00 Campus Ministry Students with UofM ID - $6.00 LOVED THE WEDDING. INVITE ME TO THE MARRIAGE. LOVE, GOD A Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend can help you do that! Marriage Encounter is 44 hours where married couples can get away from jobs, kids, chores, and phones and focus on each other. Hesburgh Lecture Series: Being Atticus Finch Presented by Fr. David Link, J.D., LL.D., D.Lit., D.Sc. Hosted by Dr. Kevin Miltko, the Notre Dame Club of Western Montana, and the UM Law School Student Section of the MTLA Thursday, March 30, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. University Center Theatre All are welcome! Free and open to the public. For more information please contact Kevin Miltko at miltko5@msn.com Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend March 24-26, 2017 at the Immaculate Heart Retreat Center Spokane, WA For more information visit wwme.org or contact Tom & Kathy Dauer at