St. Paul Parish Newsletter April 2012 January 2011

Transcription

1 St. Paul Parish Newsletter April 2012 January 2011 Rev. Fr. Mark J. Ni znik - Pastor Masse s: Saturdays 4pm & Sundays 10am S E 112 th Street Belleview, FL (3 5 2 ) fathermark1@g mail.com My dear children in Christ, Our Holy week begins on Palm Sunday. As Christ enters triumphantly into Jerusalem, it is humbling as He rides on a donkey. Horses were the typical ride for kings. As the Passion of Jesus Christ unfolds, we are reminded of the true Sacrifice of God for our sake. The Father s response to our sinfulness is not the destruction of humanity, but instead the gift of salvation for all who wish to turn away from evil. The words of Jesus asking the Father to forgive us because we are ignorant take root in the blood that spills from Him. This is the point where non-believers thought they ended the ministry of Jesus Christ. All but one apostle fled and one denies ever knowing Him. That Good Friday becomes a Holy Saturday which becomes Resurrection Sunday as Jesus promised and foretold. The Father raises the Son and hundreds; perhaps thousands witness the divinity in Jesus without question. Jesus returns to His rightful place in heaven and the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father to govern the hearts of humanity until the Father will send the Son one more time - for all time. On Pentecost the fearful apostles receive the Holy Spirit and become far more emboldened as they proclaim the resurrected Jesus Christ. Paul becomes an apostle and teaches us the Eucharistic theology as he urges us to proclaim the death of Christ until His return. This is why we demonstrate our faith with its symbols - the crucifix and the empty cross and this is why we receive the true Body and Blood of Christ during the Sacrifice of the Holy Mass. We await Christ s return and our lives move in this direction. Jesus abides in us and we in Him. His love continues, beckoning all to live in perpetual forgiveness of one another. God s love and mine, Father Mark From the Pastor Maundy Thursday: April 5th 8:30am Good Friday: April 6th 10:00am Holy Week Mass Schedule Holy Saturday: April 7th 10:00am Blessing of Easter Baskets & Bread Easter Vigil Mass: 4:00pm Easter Sunday: April 8th 10:00am Resurrection Mass

2 Page 2 St. Paul Parish Newsletter April 2012 Communion Class YMS of R Men s Group First Holy Communion Classes are now being held in the social hall following the 10:00am Mass on Sundays. Students not yet baptized are welcome to begin attending as they will undergo instruction and preparation for baptism as well. The next YMS of R meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 4th at 9:00am at Cal s Restaurant. All men from the parish are encouraged to attend. St. Paul Choir Woman s Society for the Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament Love Supreme by Dolores Smith We have a fantastic, spirited choir here at St. Paul s, under the direction of Charley Stoykovich. We are still looking for singers for our Saturday Masses. Anyone interested in joining the choir can meet here at the church on Tuesdays at 6:00pm for practice. Oh, Blessed Mother, what did you see when you watched your son at Calvary? Oh, Blessed Mother, what did you hear when they nailed to a cross your son, so dear? Oh, Blessed Mother, what did you feel when at the foot of the cross you did kneel? Oh, Blessed Mother, did your body tremble as many around you in hatred assembled? Oh Blessed Mother, were you filled with anguish and fear till your Son looked down and you heard His word so clear, Women, Here is your Son. And to the disciple standing near, Here is your Mother. And the words Jesus spoke John did hear. Oh, Blessed Mother, did the light of your world fade as the body of your son into your arms was laid? Oh, Blessed Mother, you taught the strong and the weak that anger and bitterness are not the answers to seek. What helps us withstand what earth s sorrows bring is God s gift of faith and God s Love supreme. May God s Blessings be with you this Easter. Women s Society for the Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament Dori Canfield, ANS President Our next meeting will be Sunday, April 15th after the 10:00am Mass in church.

3 Page 3 St. Paul Parish Newsletter Bir thdays April 2012 Anniversaries We welcome our new members of our church family who have joined in the month of March. Chris Niemann Sally Kilshaw Marilyn Guerin Father Mark is conducting bible class on Thursdays, 10:00am at Church On The Square in The Villages. This ongoing class is for everyone interested in finding out more about their faith. Father Mark brings us many pearls of Scripture each week and whether you are a first time bible reader or an astute learned scriptural connoisseur, there s something special in the Word of God for everyone. You are encouraged to bring a friend. Backpack Program 4th Megan Finn-Niznik 6th Mercy Turan Pauline Yackowski 9th Rita Chapman Linda Gibbons-Shafer Juliana Winter 10th Dodo Boogaard Irene Osgood Bill Reagan 11th Rich Clair Judy Glasel 16th Sally Kilshaw Kie Steve 17th Steve Robinson 20th Paul Puglisi 23rd Tony Cipriano Dick Pierce 24th Mark Hulbert 26th Ron Pereyo 30th Frank Cafaro HAPPY EASTER 7th Mark & Becky Hulbert 18th Vincent & Juliana Winter 26th Al & Joyce Walczak 30th Fr. Mark & Valda Niznik 8th Wedding Anniversary * Members, if your birthday or anniversary is not listed, please inform Debbie Niznik. Our next Yard Sale will be held in October We are now accepting donations and they can be brought to the social hall prior to mass on Saturday or Sunday. We re looking for donations that are in good condition, like dishes, glasses, cookware, small appliances, household items, linens, books, music tapes/cd s, movies, clothes etc. We will not be taking any furniture. Don t forget to let your neighbors know about the Yard Sale and maybe they too can donate some items. Womens Prayer Group This is another of our school support programs that we are helping out with. Teachers distribute care packages to families in need. Sample size personal care products are most appropriate. There are plastic bins in the back of the church to drop off these supplies. The Ladies Prayer Group will meet on Wednesday, April 11th and 25th. Rosary at 3:00pm Prayer Group at 3:30pm. All the ladies of the parish are welcome.

4 Page 4 St. Paul Parish Newsletter April 2012 Golf League Our golf league now meets on the second Tuesday of each month at Spruce Creek Del Webb in Summerfield. Golfers are paired into groups of 4 players in scramble format. If any men or women are interested in joining our league, please contact Clyde Caiazza at (352) Words for Thought All the things in this world are gifts and signs of God s love to us. The whole world is a love letter from God. Peter Kreeft St. Paul Hold em Tournament Come and bring your friends to our weekly all you can eat spaghetti dinners on Fridays 4:00-7:00pm. Adults are just $5.00 and Children 12yrs and younger are free. If you are bringing a large group of people, please contact Bob Canfield at so he can set up tables for your guests. Margaret Sottosanto with Cleric Angelo On Sunday, March 11th, following the 10:00am Mass, our Annual Hold em Tournament was held in the social hall. There was a donation of $20 per person. This was a fund raiser for the church. Congratulations to Margaret Sottosanto, winner of the 2012 Hold em Tournament. Margaret received the four foot trophy and the reserved parking space in front of the church for one year until the next tournament. Our next Back Pack Scramble will be held on May 4, Details are on the flyers in the social hall. You won't want to miss the amazing prize opportunities at this tournament. Contact Susan Hilt ASAP for your reservation: If you prefer to me with a reservation, please do so, but make sure you follow up with me as my activity is perpetually extremely high volume. me at fathermark1@gmail.com. Please do not contact or inquire with my sister Debbie as she is not involved with any of the scheduling for the golf tournaments. Please either contact me or Susan Hilt with any questions you may have. This next tournament is going to be beyond incredible!!!! Check out the flyer!!!

5 Page 5 St. Paul Parish Newsletter April 2012 ITEMS TO BE BROUGHT IN AN EASTER BASKET FOR HOLY SATURDAY (Candies and toys are also acceptable): EGGS - Brightly decorated eggs are a symbol of the New Life that is ours in Christ. Eggs are a sign of hope and resurrection. Jesus comes forth from the tomb as the chick breaks the shell at birth. Because of the special meaning, it is fitting that the eggs to be blessed be decorated with symbols of Easter, Alleluia, etc PASCHA - The Easter Bread - A sweet, yeast bread rich in eggs, butter, etc Symbolic of Christ Himself who is our True Bread. Usually a round loaf baked with a golden crust decorated with a symbol indicative of Christ. Sometimes a cross (+) of dough is placed on top encircled by a plate, giving it a crowned effect or Greek abbreviations for the name of Christ. The letters XB indicate the Polish for Christ is Risen. KIELBASA - A spicy or mild, garlic sausage of pork products, indicative of God s favor and generosity. Sausage is an ethnic addition to enhance the celebration; its links remind us of the chains of death which were broken when Jesus arose. BACON - A piece of uncooked bacon cured with spices. Symbolic of the overabundance of God s mercy to us. HAM - Ham celebrates the freedom of the New Law which came into effect through Jesus resurrection, in distinction to the Old Law which forbade certain meats. This fresh meat is popular with the Polish as a main dish because of its richness and it is symbolic of the great joy and abundance of Easter. Some may prefer Lamb or Veal. This is usually well roasted or cooked as well as other meats so that the festivity of the day will not be burdened with preparation and all may enjoy the feast! CHEESE - A custard-type cheese shaped into a ball having a rather bland but sweet taste indicative of the moderation of Christianity. Also, creamed cheese is placed in a small dish and both are decorated with symbols made out of cloves of pepper balls. HORSERADISH - Represents the bitter herbs prescribed in the original Passover meal as a reminder of the bitterness and harshness of life in Egypt. It reminds us of the bitterness and suffering of Christ which culminated in the Resurrection. SALT - Reminds us to flavor our dealings with others by the example of Christ. LAMB SHAPED BUTTER - This favorite dairy product is shaped into a figure of a Lamb. The lamb is the ancient Passover food by whose blood the Israelites were saved. Jesus is our Paschal (Passover) Lamb by whose blood we are saved. It also reminds us of the goodness of Christ that we should have toward all things. WINE - Wine is the drink of the Passover meal and the Last supper. Its sparkle reminds us of the glory of Easter. Wine gladdens our hearts and helps us enter into the joy of the Resurrection.