Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Transcription

1 February 26, 2017 CHURCH 50 Leopard Road, Paoli, Pa Phone Fax SCHOOL 6 Greenlawn Road, Paoli, Pa Phone: Fax: Mary Kay Hennessy, Pr incipal Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time MASS & WORSHIP SCHEDULE Saturday Vigil: 5 :30 PM Sunday Masses : 7 :30, 9, 11:30 AM; 1:30 PM Spanish; 6PM Youth Mass Monday -Friday: 6:30AM & 8 AM ; Saturday 8 AM Reconciliation: Saturday 4-5 PM; Thursday 7 8 PM or by Appointment Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament : Thursday 8:30 AM 8 PM ; Saturday 4-5 PM CLERGY Rev. Michael J. Lee, O.Praem., Pastor Rev. Carl W. Braschoss, O.Praem., Parochial Vicar Deacon John P. Lozano Deacon William M. Masapollo (retired) From the beginning of the Bible to its end, as the story of God and God s people is told, the question is asked in many ways. Can God be trusted? This question keeps popping up because we human beings have a hard time understanding and accepting the faithfulness of God. The Bible, of course, affirms God s trustworthiness, as today's readings make clear. Isaiah proclaims that God is more trustworthy than anyone or anything, because we are God's beloved. What might living in this trust look like? Jesus tells us we can let go of our exaggerated worries, even about our basic needs for food and clothing. We can trust God to provide what we need most. Saint Paul goes further to ask: knowing that we can trust God, how might we become trustworthy to God? How might we live so as to honor God s trust in us? A Question Of Allegiance Powerful imagery about God is presented in today's readings: a tender mother (Isaiah); a rock and stronghold (Psalm 62); a father who feeds (Matthew). These images remind us that God first promises love and loyalty to us, God s children. In today s Gospel, Jesus invites us to seek first the kingdom within God s promise. When Jesus describes the Kingdom, he invokes a term not only from scripture, but from daily life. For many in this part of the ancient world, the term kingdom was not used strictly as a matter of geography, as when someone crosses a border from one kingdom to another. Kingdom was a matter of primary loyalty to the person acknowledged as king (or queen). One inhabits a kingdom by remaining loyal to the king or queen, regardless of geographic location. The stark choice presented by Jesus in today s Gospel, between mammon and God, is a question of allegiance. Who or what receives your primary loyalty? For whose purposes will you commit your life? Anxiety Of Hope Throughout the Gospels, Jesus touches upon deep matters of the heart. In today s Gospel passage, he names the hidden fears and anxieties of his listeners. It s likely that many of his listeners lived in poverty, with extremely limited and uncertain supplies of food and clothing. Jesus did not trivialize their physical needs. With tenderness, he invited them to trust their needs to God s care. We are all aware that the future is uncertain. What seems solid today can evaporate tomorrow. Jesus knows of our anxieties, about what or who is trustworthy. We can build elaborate physical, financial, or emotional defenses to protect ourselves against future harm. Or, trusting in God and reaching out in vulnerability, we can build relationships of mutual care with others. We can choose to live in anxiety or in hope. As Jesus put it, we can choose to serve mammon or to serve God. Today's Readings: Is 49:14-15; Ps 62:2-3, 6-9; 1 Cor 4:1-5; Mt 6:24-34 Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Company

2 Page 2 February 26, th Sunday in Ordinary Time Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget I will never forget you. Isaiah 49:15 Sunday, February 26, 2017 Vigil Ramon Enrique Mendoza 7:30 Members of the parish 9:00 Gwen Murphy 11:30 Jeanne Lahiff 1:30 pm La Rue Hatfield 6 pm Albert G. T. Schran Monday, February 27 6:30 Souls in Purgatory 8:00 Jonathan Lucks Tuesday, February 28 6:30 Jim Dougherty 8:00 Alfred and Josephine Masapollo Ash Wednesday, March 1 6:30 For the unemployed 8:00 Lord s Blessing on Patricia Boyce 9:15 Anthony Palma 7 PM Members of the parish Thursday, March 2 6:30 Dorothy McNeila 8:00 Mary Catherine Young Friday, March 3 6:30 For the Armed Forces 8:00 Mary Lyons and The Lord s Blessing on Corinne Kerrigan Saturday, March 4 8:00 Joseph Stellabotte Sunday, March 5 Vigil Massey and Tony Pomanti 7:30 Florence DiMonte 9:00 Frank Sobota 11:30 DeLeo Family 1:30 pm Mario Betancourt 6 pm Members of the parish Our Vision St. Norbert Parish aspires to become one in Christ as a community of fervent disciples, who listen attentively for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and who lovingly embrace Jesus, present in the poor, the alienated and the spiritually hungry. Stewardship St. Paul had both a deep understanding and appreciation for stewardship what it meant to be a good steward. In his First Letter to the Corinthians, our Second Reading on this last Sunday in Ordinary Time before Lent begins, Paul states eloquently, Thus should one regard us: as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. As is the case with all Holy Scripture, Paul is writing to more than the Corinthians; he is writing to each of us as well. Paul s understanding of what a steward was is that he manages the household of God. Managing included preserving and protecting. We are also to be servants (disciples) of Christ, and Paul goes on to say that a servant steward must be trustworthy. To Paul that meant we are to be faithful in order to be good disciples. There are several difficulties for us in all of those terms and requirements: being stewards, being servants, and being faithful. They mean that we have to place ourselves second to others and second most of all to PRAYERS & READINGS Pray for Healing: Corinne Kerrigan, Greg Kleckner, Maria Palfy, Ryan Schlecht, Julian D Orazio, William Denney, Elena Prota, Maria Morales, Michael Fullam, Aaron Gelstine, Courtney Patterson, Mary Corcoran, William Wilbur, Tim Dippel, Alice Bowman, Dorothy Wilson, Ed Rofi, Guillermo Ramirez Maldonado, Rudy Spina, Karen Hastings, Helen Gelstine, Nancy Lowe, Steph Walsh- Beilman, Peter Lim, Peg & Ed Welsh, Ann Sassaman, Clare Rossmeisl, Diana Reyes, Frank Henriquez, Phyllis McCullough, Lonz Baldino, Patricia Boyce, Frank McMahon, Louanne Armstrong Rest in Peace: Pasquale Marino Prayers For Our Troops: Pvt. Matthew Cress, USA; Pvt. Michael Flowers, USA; Capt. Rob Kersey, USN;Capt. Dan Kohli, USMC; 1st.Lt. Spencer Lahiff, USMC; Sgt. Justin Lansford, USA; Pvt. Bryan McCormick, USA; Maj. James Merenda, USAF; Sgt. R. J. Paski, USA; Sgt. Matthew Paski, USAF; CPT Brian Wallin, DO, USA Christ our Savior. We tend to question this and tend to have strong feelings of independence. That is what we learn from our society. Yet, to be a steward like Paul requires us to be humble and accepting. That may be our greatest test. St. Augustine wrote, What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of others. That, too, is stewardship. catholicsteward.com March 1 Ash Wednesday Services Mass 6:30, 8, and 9:15 am (School Mass) and 7 pm. Ashes will be distributed during the Masses. READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Sir 17:20-24; Ps 32:1-2, 5-7; Mk 10:17-27 Tuesday: Sir 35:1-12; Ps 50:5-8, 14, 23; Mk 10:28-31 Wednesday: Jl 2:12-18; Ps 51:3-6ab, 12-14, 17; 2 Cor 5:20 6:2; Mt 6:1-6, Thursday: Dt 30:15-20; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Lk 9:22-25 Friday: Is 58:1-9a; Ps 51:3-6ab, 18-19; Mt 9:14-15 Saturday: Is 58:9b-14; Ps 86:1-6; Lk 5:27-32 Sunday: Gn 2:7-9; 3:1-7; Ps 51:3-6, 12-13, 17; Rom 5:12-19 [12, 17-19]; Mt 4:1-11

3 St. Norbert Bulletin Page 3 Pastor s Pulpit Take Time For Yourself... Two Big Requests... Once again I am asking all of you who are 18 years old and above and reading this Pastor s Pulpit, to please consider responding to our Parish Survey that is being sent out to all the s in the parish. The Survey is our reaching out as a Pastoral Council, Finance Council, Staff and Leadership Team to find out how we can better serve you in the parish. The survey takes about minutes to complete. Your honest response to the survey will be a great benefit for future planning. You can also find the survey in the following ways: 1) St. Norbert website or go directly to: 2) If you haven t received an from us with the link to the survey, please send your request to be added to our list to Ed Grady at egrady@stnorbert.org. I promise, you will not be receiving an avalanche of noise s. 3) Snail Mail: The survey is also being sent out via regular US Postal mail. Around Our Parish Now Available... Parish Survey DiscipleMakerIndex.com 4) Narthex: Paper copies of the survey are also available in the back of Church. Please make a copy of the paper surveys and give to your family members or friends that attend St. Norbert parish. You are SAINT NORBERT PARISH so please take the time and let all of us know how we are all doing as a parish. 9 Hours That Will Change Your Life: As part of our Lenten Journey we are offering a wonderful opportunity for all to join Small Faith Groups and come to know Jesus better and the Jesus in each other. I can hear some of the responses: Oh, here we go again. More of the same. NOT THIS LENT! As the sign says over the entrance of the Church. These are nine hours that will change your life. It is our belief that not only will this change our lives, but will lead us to a greater TRANS- FORMATION of self. There is a great deal of difference between change and transformation. Change can be seen as the first step, which is always a challenge a risk. Taking the second step to transformation is indeed a great journey of faith and often it is helped by the support of fellow parishioners who have made a similar journey of change to transformation in their spiritual life. All of this is, of course, GRACE AND SPIRIT driven. Do yourselves a Spiritual Favor this Lent and please attend our 9 Hours That Will Change Your Life... Father Mike The theme for his year s Confirmation Retreat was Encountering Jesus. Leading the retreat was Scott Anthony (1) who is a nationally recognized Retreat leader. Over 90 6th graders participated in sessions designed to prepare them for the Sacrament of Confirmation and teach them how to spur each other on to Holiness and take their faith to a more personal relationship with Jesus. They also learned more about real Saints, many of whom they choose for their Confirmation names. Kids from private, public and Catholic schools gathered in small groups to build unity through Trust Walks (2) and a magazines race to find Confirmation themes (3)

4 Page 4 February 26, 2017 News & Events Starts This Coming Thursday... Date Nite For Marrieds Are you looking for a great date night for you and your beloved that gives you some quiet time to talk, reconnect and regroup from the busyness of life? Then consider coming to the Alpha Marriage Course. Beginning on Thursday Mar 2 and running for seven weeks. Childcare will be provided. See StNorbert.org Registration: Space is limited. Contact Mark Griswold, caffedirector@stnorbert.org New This Lent... Psalms For Times of Need O God, Come to my assistance; O Lord, make haste to help me! Psalm 70 Just in time for Lent is Sarah Christmyer s new book Lord Make Haste to Help Me: Seven Psalms to Pray in Times of Need. In commenting on her new book, Sarah writes, The Psalms are a school of prayer that teaches us to gather our troubles and take them to God who loves us and is always there for us. With assurance, we can cry with the Psalmist O Lord, make haste to help me. The book is designed for the reader to take minutes daily each week during Lent to read a Psalm, enjoy a reflection, converse with God, record the fruits of your meditation, and allow Scripture to move you to ongoing conversion. Cost: $10 using the envelopes in the Narthex book case to order the book available in the Parish Office. Respect Life Days For Life Vigil The next St. Norbert Respect Life Ministry Vigil Day at the West Chester Planned Parenthood facility will be Wednesday, Apr 5, the w eek before Palm Sunday. Signups for the vigil march will be the weekend of Mar in the Narthex. Mardi Gras Happy Hour Save the date for 50+ Group Happy Hour on Feb 28, 5-7 pm at McKenzies on Swedesford Rd. Special on drinks & appetizers. Contact: Michele Stevenson at Michele_stevenson@msn.com Next Weekend... ManUP Philly The 8th Annual Archdiocesan Men s Conference will be held Saturday, Mar 4, 7:30 am at the St. Joseph s University Hagen Arena. Featured speakers this year include: Marcellino D Ambrosio, PhD, international speaker, best -selling author, Catholic commentator, Holy Land guide Kevin Reilly, form er Eagles player, cancer survivor, motivational speaker, father Damon Owens, evangelist, Joy To Be (joytob.org) founder, Theology of the Body speaker, Mark Forrest, acclaim ed Irish Tenor. For more information on the speakers or to register go to: manupphilly.com/registration/ Three Important Spring Dates... Special Needs Update Three important events for special needs families will be sponsored this spring by the Archdiocesan Office for Pastoral Care for Persons with Disabilities: Intellectual Disabilities & Autism Workshop: Mar 11, 9:30-noon, Archdiocesan Pastoral Center Auditorium, 222 North 17th Street, 8th floor, Philadelphia, Contact: Sr. Kathleen at or sr.kschipani@archphila.org or register online at opdarchphilly.org (Continued on p 6) LENT 2017 FAST, ABSTINENCE & PENANCE The Bishops of the United States prescribe, as minimal obligation, that all persons who are 14 years of age and older are bound to abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday, March 1, and on all the Fridays of Lent along with Good Friday. Fasting: All persons 18 years of age and older, up to and including their 59th birthday, are bound to fast by limiting themselves to a single full meal on Ash Wednesday and on Good Friday, while the other two meals on those days are to be light. Sacraments: All the faithful are encouraged, when possible, to participate at Mass and to receive the Holy Eucharist daily, to celebrate frequently the Sacrament of Penance, to undertake spiritual reading, especially the study of the Sacred Scriptures, and to participate in parish Lenten devotions as well as Lenten education programs. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is especially recommended. Alms for Poor: All are encouraged to participate in Operation Rice Bowl which has aided countless hungry persons here in the Archdiocese as well as throughout our nation and our world.

5 St. Norbert Bulletin Page Group Sponsors... Lenten Day of Service Saturday, April 8th Mass 8 am Coffee & Light Breakfast 8:30-9 am Service Projects 9 11 am On Site Projects at St. Norbert School Dining Hall Card Making: For Nu r sing Hom es and Militar y Service Personnel. Contact: Cecily Getz Cgetz@comcast.net Individual Meals: B eing pr epar ed for Aid for Fr iends, (in the school kitchen) Contact: Nina Gallacher Fidget Square Making: For Alzheimer s patients Sewing Project Contact: Betty Collins baycollins@verizon.net Maintenance of St. Norbert s Campus: Polishing Pews at Church Contact: Marianne O Neill marianneo219@gmail.com Remembering our Service Men and Women: Making Car e Packages for over seas. Contact: Sharon Lea sholea@verizon.net Mandy and Rick Hassold Off Site Projects Birthright: Collection and Donation of all baby items ContactHonora Jackson@jacksonhonora@gmail.com Bethesda Shelters: Maintenance & Ren ovation Contact Manny & Marsha Menendez marsha@menendezfamily.com Visits to Highgate & Daylesford Crossing: Helping Hands Ministry Contact: Kay Wasson: wassonmk@yahoo.com Donations Needed 3rd Annual Birthright Baby Shower: See ad on page 6 Military Bags: Athletic socks, power bars, toothpaste & brushes, Q-Tips, gum, peanut butter (in plastic jars), beef jerky, batteries all sizes, Tasty Cake Pies, prepaid phone cards, playing cards (for example) Please Drop off all Donations in the Narthex After Masses The Weekend of April 1 & 2 Contact: Sharon Lea at sholea@verizon.net

6 Page 6 February 26, 2017 Annual Mass Honoring the Gifts of Persons with Disabilities, The Deaf Community, Family, Friends and Caregivers: April 1, Sat, 10:30 am, Cathedral of SS. Peter & Paul, 18th Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway. RSVP by Fri, Mar 24 at opdarchphilly.org or sr.kschipani@archphila.org Retreat Day for Mothers of Children with Disabilities: May 2, Tues, 9:30 am 2 pm, Malvern Retreat House, Contact: Malvern Retreat House or register online at malvernretreat.com or call at or Sr. Kathleen at or sr.kschipani@archphila.org Updates on a wide variety of programs, support and activities are also available at opdarchphilly.org Contact: Donna Carr at or dmcarr13@yahoo.com for more on St. Norbert s support, information and coordination Congratulations to Our Scholars: Villa Maria Academy High School Distinguished Honors: Jessica Perry, Caroline Morris, Caroline McDonald First Honors: Hannah Posca, Anastasia Ciarrocchi, Christine Gabriele, Caitlin Mulqueen Second Honors: Cecilia Ha ubold, Alice Mosconi, Alexandra Loyola, Lydia McLachlan Country Day School of the Sacred Heart Highest Honors: Em ily Ha rt, Elizabeth Baggini High Honors: Sophia Bra m ley, Mary Reid; Honors: Cameron Zozaya 3 rd Annual Baby Shower For Birthright New Mothers April 1 & 2 Help support mothers who decide to keep their babies. Birthright of Coatesville serves mothers 16 to 44. You can help with: Similac Advance Formula, maternity clothes, baby clothes up to 3 T, W inter clothes, infant toys, mobiles, diapers, wipes, pacifiers, books, night lights, etc. Sponsors: 50+ Group Respect Life Drop off gifts in the Narthex No need to wrap Contact: Honora Jackson at jacksonhonora@gmail.com Upcoming Events Weekly: Sundays: EDGE 10:05-11:15 am Youth Group Room; Youth Group following 6 pm Mass; Dads Basketball, 7-9 pm, Gym Mondays: Becoming Catholic RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) 7 pm. Contact: Lorrie Grady at or lhg905@verizon.net or Hank Fila at or hankfila@gmail.com Tuesdays: Dawn Seekers Bible Study, 8:30 10 am, Parish Office Dining Room; Walking With Purpose, 9-11 am, School Dining Room,Contact: Lisa McGowan at mcgowanlh@gmail.com Young Adults Faith Sharing, Parish Office Lower Level, 7:30-9 pm, Contact: Hank Fila at or hankfila@gmail.com Wednesdays: JCREW Youth Group, 7-9 pm, Youth Group Room Thursdays: Adoration 8 :30am 8 pm, Oratory with Reconciliation 7 8 pm; Legion of Mary, 9-10:30 am, Sacristy Meeting Room. Christian Practice of Yoga 11-noon Parish Office Lower Level Saturdays: Reconciliation 4-5 pm or by appointment; Adoration 4-5 pm Upcoming: Feb 26 Baptism, 11:30 am Mass, Church Mar 1 Ash Wednesday, 6:30, 8 and 9:15 am, and 7 pm Masses, Church Mar 2 Alpha for Marrieds, 6:30-8:45 pm, School Dining Hall, register online at StNorbert.org Contact Mark Griswold, caffedirector@stnorbert.org Mar 3-Apr 7 Stations of the Cross, 6 pm, Church Mar 3-Apr 7 Poor Man s Supper, 6:30-7:30 pm, School Dining Hall Mar 3 Festival of Praise, 7:30 pm, Oratory Mar 4 Outreach Food & Clothing Collection, All Day, Narthex (food) & Parish Activity Center (clothing/house items) Mar 5 Outreach Food & Clothing Collection, 7 am-noon, Narthex (food) & Parish Activity Center (clothing/house items) Mar 8 Knights of Columbus, 7:30 pm Parish Office Mar 9 Prayer & Healing, 7:30 pm, Church Mar 12 Gethsemani 12 Steps Spirituality Night, 7:30-8:30 pm, Oratory. Contact: Martin K Mar 18 Respect Life, 8:45-10 am, Parish Office Dining Room Mar 18 Confirmation, 10 am Church Mar Generation Senior Seminar, -3 pm St. Norbert Dining Hall Contact: Kevin Horan Mar 24 & 26 Living Stations by Youth Group, Mar 24 8:30 pm & Mar 26 7:30 pm Church Mar 25 & Days for Life Vigil Signups, After All Masses, Church Narthex Mar 27 School Lenten Penance Service, 1:30-2:30 pm Church Apr 1 School Princess Ball, 7-9:30 pm School Dining Hall Save the Date 50+ Group April 26 NYC Trip