March 23rd, 2014 Third Sunday of Lent

Transcription

1 St. Anastasia Catholic Church March 23rd, 2014 Third Sunday of Lent While we were still sinners Christ died for us. - Romans 5: W. Manchester Avenue Los Angeles, CA Phone: Fax: Website: parish@st-anastasia.org Parish established in 1953 in honor of James Francis Cardinal McIntyre

2 Ministry gathers us and makes us a faith family... THIRD Sunday of Lent: When Jesus asked the Samaritan woman for a drink of water, He opened the door for a life-changing relationship with Him. Scripture says her testimony drew many others to Him as well. We, too, must be ready to respond whenever and wherever the Lord speaks to us and be prepared for it to change our lives! Dear Brothers and Sisters, I have been very pleased at the seriousness with which so many of you have taken the Lenten Observance. It really is very edifying. As we now proceed to the third week of Lent, we have a fundamental switch for the Gospel readings. Up until now, we have been focused on the Jewishness of the audience of St. Matthew's Gospel. It has been very helpful for us to reflect on the messianic context of the mission of Jesus. Today, however, we begin a switch for a few weeks to St. John's Gospel -- especially as we prepare to celebrate Baptism for our catechumen and place an attentiveness on the "conversion experience". The story of the Samaritan Woman at the Well is a conversion story. It is a Baptism story. It is a story of someone who comes to know Jesus, and at the same time a story about how Jesus already knows her!! In a certain sense, the story summarizes and seems to foreshadow our own personal story with Jesus, and highlights what ought to be our own relationship with Jesus. The story not only emphasizes the delight and joy that the woman experiences when she meets Jesus, it provides for us an encouragement to be filled with the same sense of delight and joy because we too have found Jesus -- but more accurately -- we have discovered that Jesus has found us!!! I hope that this next week of Lent will bring great spiritual insight to you as you think about your own continuing conversion -- coming to know Jesus better. He certainly knows us! Devotedly yours, Fr. Gabe LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER For those who are ill, and those in need of our prayers Jackie Miller Michael Arnold Delores Grisby Pat Francis Artemio Coronel Baby Viva Rose Strykes Bryan Porter Thomas Esquivel Cynthia Begazo Chiera King Esther Horompoly Henry Nudson Kenneth Bowen Joe Berberich Baby Jack Espinoza Michelle Amaya Marj Patel Terry Rioux Phyllis Jones Sherryll Unsell Larry Lovett Adrian Gomez Lysa Dennehy Hector Salas Jude Keith Hebert Merle Bartels Maria Magyar Angie Alvarado Stephane Lempire Francisca Regis Gina Giron Mr. Mulligan Bill Corrigan Grant & Linda Fought Philipe Gris Evangeline Chavez Gloria & Philip Gloria & Fred Herrera Mary Alderete family Ron & Louise Wasilewski Norman Bayley Jazzmine Peluchette Eliodoro Alvarado Baby Wryan Lashuay Greg Paquin Bambi Byrons Chris Sykes Francine Rehberger Vivian Tew Sandy Dalton Carmen Pereira Baby Anastasia Wittenberg Bryce Vernon Suzanne Wheeler Victoria Mitsakos Danny Welchhance Diana Guerra Jessica Schaffhausen Brenda Rooney Vicki Garcia Barbara DeVico Juan J. Morales Juan J. Morales, Jr. Johann Hudson Lisa Dennehy Gerry Oakley Carla Roberts Peter Heredia Jack Muñoz Michael Jones John Swanson George Rader Sam Solter Jorden Aponte Tom Tyrrell Shareen Hakim Maxine & Stuart Liebman Matthew Salvo Sherry Stevens George Galip Ethel Curry Kim Calimlim Jose Gutierrez Ed Kwinn Benita Bicarme Vicky Duron Lucille Burk Delgado Martha Keglevich Jody Bruno Cathy Lee Jeanne Ahern Derek Comes Steven Appleldorn Lucy Peer Ruthann Yuhas SAVE THE DATE! SUNDAY, MAY 4th, th Anniversary Celebration for Msgr. Vadakin & Fr. Tom 2 pm Mass & Reception. Details to follow. MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK SUN, 03/23 7:30 AM MADISON TODY 9:00 AM FRANCES HENNESSY 10:30 AM LYNN KIERNAN 12:00 PM THE PEOPLE OF ST. A S 7:30 PM MARRIED COUPLES MON., 03/24 6:30 AM TASIMALE LUI TAVELU 8:00 AM LORI MOUNTAIN TUES., 03/25 6:30 AM KATIA S. ABBAS 8:00 AM FOR ALL PARENTS WED., 03/26 6:30 AM JUDY GEIGER 8:00 AM LORI MOUNTAIN 5:30 PM THURS., 03/27 6:30 AM AUSTIN RAMIREZ 8:00 AM ELIZABETH KALTMAN FRI., 03/28 6:30 AM AUSTIN RAMIREZ 8:00 AM FRANCES HENNESSY SAT., 03/29 8:00 AM FILIPPINA MARTINI 5:30 PM ALL SISTERS Birthday - Anniversary Memorial Support

3 Ministry gathers us and makes us a faith family... Reflection on Today s Readings: FOCUS: Let all who thirst find the Living Water. We not only thirst for God, but God is constantly thirsting for us. In the saving waters of Baptism, He gives us a spring of water welling up to eternal life. Graced by this outpouring of the Spirit, we can live a life in harmony with God s will for us and be emboldened to share God s love with others. LITURGY OF THE WORD: In today s first reading, the grumbling Israelites are satisfied with water from a desert rock that God instructed Moses to strike with his staff. Paul reminds the Christian community at Rome the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. In the Gospel, Jesus promises living water to the Samaritan woman at the well. Masses: Sat: 5:30 pm. Sun: 7:30 am. Sun: 9:00 am. Sun: 10:30 am. Sun: 12:00 NN. Sun: 7:30 pm. Next Week - Celebrating Our Faith Sat., Mar. 29th & Sun., Mar. 30th, 2014 Fourth Sunday of Lent Celebrants: Msgr. Cox Msgr. Vadakin Msgr. Gonzales Fr. Tom Msgr. Cox Msgr. Gonzales SATURDAY CONFESSIONS: 3:30-5 pm & 7:30-8 pm ** Msgr. Cox ** We encourage all to read and reflect on the Biblical passages that will be proclaimed at all Masses next Sunday: Reading 1: Reading 2: Gospel: 1 Sm 16:1b,6 7,10 13a Eph 5;8 14 Jn 9:1 41 Living Faith for Kids Come, let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the Lord who made us. For He is God, and we are the people He shepherds. - Psalm 95:6-7 The words of this psalm say very simple one of the main reasons we come to Mass every Sunday: God made us, and we are His. God is worthy of our worship, and we need to stay close to Him be remembering who we are. Some people say, Can t I just pray at home by myself? Of course you can, but at least every Sunday, you also need to be part of a people, the flock God shepherds. Lord, may your people gather to worship You at Mass today. *** Exodus 17:3 7 * Psalm 95:1 2, 6 9 Romans 5:1 2, 5 8 * John 4:5 42 Celebrants for this week, 3,22-23, 2014: Msgr. Gonzales 5:30 pm & Confessions; Msgr Cox: 7:30 am; Fr. Tom: 9 am; Msgr. Gonzales: 10:30 am; Msgr. Gonzales: 12 Noon; Msgr. Vadakin: 7:30 pm. The Family Visitation Ministry offers spiritual support to those in need. Please call Sr. Teresita at , or the Rectory Office at To Receive Holy Communion, (For those who are sick, hospitalized, or home bound). Please call Gloria Bowen, , Eucharistic Minister to the sick. To have the name(s) included in our prayers, please call the Rectory Office at Opportunities for Seniors At the service of the family for life! The Carmelite Sisters offer short-term and long-term care for seniors, with the unique blend of social, recreational, educational and religious activities in a caring, tranquil, and home-like environment. Call for further information, tour or application. Marycrest Manor, Skilled Nursing Facility St. James Dr., Culver City, Calif (310) ext. 212 SAVVY CAREGIVER - Westchester Playa Village & OPICA present a free course for Alzheimer s disease family caregiver: Do you help a family member living with Alzheimer s disease? Tuesday, April 18 thru May 13, from 3 to 5 pm. The class will be held at Westchester United Methodist Church, 8065 Emerson Ave. Space is limited! To register, call Westchester Playa

4 Ministry Equips us to deepen our love for God and share our faith LENT 2014 ABSTINENCE Is a penitential practice consisting of refraining from the consumption of meat and is to be observed by all Catholics who are 14 years of age and older. Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and the Fridays during Lent are days of abstinence. Pastors and parents are encouraged to see that children who are not bound by the obligation to fast and abstain are led to appreciate an authentic sense of penance. FASTING AND ABSTINENCE In addition to abstinence, fasting is to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday by all Catholics between the ages of years (inclusive). On days of fasting, one full meal is allowed. Two smaller meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to one s needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids are allowed. Note: If a person is unable to observe the above regulations due to ill health or other serious reasons, they are urged to practice other forms of self-denial that are suitable to their condition. Save The Date: VBS! Vacation Bible School will take place July 14 to July 18, 2014 This year s theme is SON TREASURE ISLAND! DURING LENT: ** 5:30 PM Mass each Wednesday *** Stations of the Cross Fridays, at 7:30 pm. Let the St. Anastasia Traveling Holy Family Ministry help you and your family live God's message as it inspired Pope Francis to speak on the topic of family at the start of "The family is the wellspring of all fraternity, and as such it is the foundation and the first pathway to peace, since, by its vocation, it is meant to spread its love to the world around it." The Holy Family can be requested on-line now! Please remember that the 2014 schedule is new and sign-ups are necessary to reserve your special time with Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Please use this link to request your week(s) to host a statue: Contact Regina Aaron via to stanastasiaholyfamily@gmail.com, at if you have any questions. Traveling Holy Family # 1 The Thorpe Family - March 23, 2014 A. Garcia Family - March 30, 2014 Traveling Holy Family # 2 St. A s School - March 23, 2014 St. A s School - March 30, 2014 Last Simple Soup of Lent 2014! Host Ministries: Wednesday March 26, PARISH FAMILIES a way of life for St. Anastasia Church Fabulous News from the St. Anastasia Our lady of Grace Prayer Group and a wonderful Lenten opportunity: Eucharistic Adoration!! Come and adore our Lord in the most Blessed Sacrament. The holy hour times: Saturday mornings after Mass 8:30-9:30 am, Wednesdays before the 5:30 Mass from 4:15-5:15pm and Fridays before evening stations of the cross 6:15-7:15pm. We give thanks and praise to God for bestowing this special grace on our parish! From the Prayer Group: You are invited to attend the Wednesday evening prayer group from 7-8:30 pm in the rectory. Our Lenten presentation will be Fr. Robert Barron's " Seven Deadly Sins, Seven Lively Virtues" For questions: God bless your Lenten endeavors! The Catholic Relief Services Collection HELP Jesus IN DISGUISE - Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me, (Mt 25:40). With your generous donations, you will help to: Feed Jesus hunger in different refugees through the USCCB Department of Migration and Refugee (MRS). Give water to quench Jesus thirst in the people of Bolivia and Ethiopia through the humanitarian work of Catholic Relief Services (CRS). Offer legal assistance to Jesus in struggling immigrants through the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC). Reach out to comfort Jesus loneliness in isolated workers through the pastoral work of the USCCB Secretariat for Cultural Diversity in the Church. Advocate on behalf of Jesus in the poor and abandoned through the public policy work of the USCCB Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development. Send aid to Jesus in the victims of natural disaster through the Holy Father s Relief Funds. Thank you for your generosity and kindness. God Bless! Envelopes are in the pews. Tuesday, March 25th, 2014

5 Ministry in Community Support Alexandria House - Eighth grade service-learning project: Collecting gently used goods to help Alexandria House. Items needed include clothing, kitchen items, small appliances, bedding, and children's toys. Items will be collected in the Diamond Courtyard from 8 am to 12 pm on this Sunday, March 23rd. ST ANASTASIA SOCIAL CLUB NEWS We will again be traveling to Laughlin (2 nights, 3 days) on May Our stay at the Riverside Hotel & Casino will include 3 buffets and a Laughlin Fun Book discount coupons). The price includes the hotel, bus, all gratuities, with water and a raffle on the bus. $100 pp (double), $117 pp (single). If 50 or more sign up, the price will be reduced $10. The Riverside is requiring that we visit an additional time before we can again attend the Luau (which will be Sept ). (If we fail to fill the bus in May, we will not be able to go to their Luau in September.) Call Laurette at for reservations. Payment must be received by April 12. Join us on Thursday evening, April 10, for a trip to see the fabulous Pageant of Our Lord. The Pageant is a unique presentation of the life of Christ through "living" reproductions of famous art works. This theatrical masterpiece includes life-sized paintings and sculptures, utilizing live models within the art, accompanied by original narration and the Rolling Hills Covenant Church sanctuary choir and orchestra. The $32 price includes your ticket, the bus, and gratuity. We only have forty tickets, so call Laurette at right away to reserve yours. APRIL IS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH April is Child Abuse Prevention Month - April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. It is most appropriate that Child Abuse Prevention Month is held during the Easter season. There is no better time than Easter to celebrate the protection of our most valuable gift from God our children. For information on how you can become more informed and involved in keeping our children safe, and to learn more about the 2014 pamphlet, Working together to prevent child sexual abuse, please call the Archdiocese s Safeguard the Children Program, (213) IMPORTANT REMINDERS! This Wednesday, March 26th, following the 5:30 pm Mass, will be the LAST Simple Soup of Lent Thank you all for your support and participation. Next Sunday, March 30th, the monthly Wedding Anniversary Blessing will take place after/during the 12 Noon Mass. All couples married during the month of March are welcome! Fact of Life: Children With Down Syndrome Encourage Expectant Mothers "Don't be scared. Be excited." That's the message of a new video that responds to pregnant women's anxiety about expecting a child with Down Syndrome. CoorDown, an Italian organization has produced a video that features 15 children with Down Syndrome. "Your child will be able to do many things," the children reassure the moms. "He'll be able to hug you. He'll be able to run toward you. He'll be able to speak. He'll be able to go to school like everybody." In the U.S., many unborn children with Down Syndrome have been aborted. Abortion on demand has taken the lives of more than 56 million children; large numbers of these precious little ones were given their death sentence because they had Down Syndrome. The video can be seen on YouTube. Search for DEAR FUTURE MOM ~~ Sunday, March 23rd, 2014 ~~ ~~ Third Sunday of Lent ~~ Feeling the thirst give me this water so I won t go thirsty. John 4:15 John was an unusual twelve-year-old. He adamantly wanted to become Catholic, and the pastor, not one who dealt well with children, turned him over me. His mother, with whom he lived, was not Catholic, but his father, who lived at a distance, was. We had no catechumens that year, so John and I went through the process together. He was very earnest, and he was particularly interested in today s reading. He thought the woman was funny and a little crazy. She believed because He told me everything I ever did, and she was bold enough to ask Jesus for the living water! John noticed her and thought about her as a real person encountering the real Jesus. Very often the gospel reading goes right over our heads, and because this one is long, we tend to lose focus. We got lost in the words until it all becomes a blur. But just stay with this thought today: give me that living water. Repeat it often as a prayer of longing, as a prayer of faith, and, as with the Samaritan woman, as a prayer of spiritual thirst. (John, by the way, was baptized at the Easter Vigil and remains a committed and faithful Catholic.) Jesus, beloved Son of God, give me your living water. Wash away all within me that is sinful and hurtful to others, and give me courage to share my faith with others as the Samaritan woman did.

6 St. Anastasia Catholic Church 7390 W. Manchester Avenue Los Angeles, CA Office Fax Website: SCHEDULE OF SERVICES MASSES - WEEKDAYS Mon-Fri: 6:30 AM & 8 AM First Friday: 6:30 AM, 8 AM, 11 AM (School in session) Saturday: 8 AM WEEKENDS Saturday (Vigil): 5:30 PM Sunday: 7:30, 9, 10:30 AM, 12 & 7:30 PM HOLY DAYS Holy Day Vigil Mass: 5:30 PM Holy Day: 6:30 AM, 8 AM, 11 AM (during the School year) & 7 PM SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Saturday: 3:30-5 PM & 7:30-8 PM DEVOTIONS: Miraculous Medal Novena, Rosary and Benediction - Monday, following the 8 AM Mass. EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: First Saturday of the month from 8:30-9:30 AM ANOINTING OF THE SICK: Sacrament for the Sick is celebrated upon request of family BAPTISM: Parents and Godparents are required to participate in preparation program. Contact the Rectory Office or Fred & Esmeralda MARRIAGE: Engaged couples must contact the Rectory no later that 6 months before their proposed wedding date. Call the Rectory Office R.C.I.A.: (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) - Becoming Catholics - Please call the Rectory. FUNERALS: Contact the Pastor by calling the Rectory Office, INTERESTED IN BECOMING A PRIEST OR IN RELIGIOUS LIFE? Call the Office for Vocations, LITURGICAL MINISTRIES Ministers of the Eucharist Gloria Bowen-to the Sick Jan & Herb Masi Ministers of the Word... Carl Pentis Ministers of Hospitality (Ushers) Evelio Leon Courtyard Hospitality Sr. Teresita Altar Care Dolores Saenz Liturgy Committee Richard Arias PASTORAL TEAM PASTOR Msgr. Gabriel Gonzales Priest in Residence Msgr. Gregory A. Cox Pastors Emeriti Rev. Thomas F. King Msgr. Royale M. Vadakin, P.A. Parish Secretary/Bulletin Editor Sacramental Recorder Aleida Rodriguez Director of Religious Education Jonette Mauch Confirmation Coordinator Catrina Grove-Reyes Director of Adult Faith Formation and Stewardship Director of Music Ministry Greg Koppenhaver School Principal Michael Muir School Office Manager, Bookkeeper Louise Lance Office Assistant Linda Schmidt Consultative School Board Olivier Chaine PTO-Parent Teacher Organization Betsy Sichi ADESTE (After School Program) Elizabeth Soriano Maintenance Javier Antunes SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION RCIA-Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults; and SRE (Sunday School) Jonette Mauch Confirmation Catrina Grove-Reyes Infant Baptism Fred & Esmeralda Balsz PARISH ORGANIZATIONS Parish Finance Council Jim Healy Pastor Advisory Council Site Committee Stefan Politz Men s Club Chris Turkmany Knights of Columbus Arts and Education Jayne Cram Stewardship J.S.Paluch - Wendy Schatan, Bulletin Ads (Back cover) St. Anastasia Catholic School 8631 S. Stanmoor Drive Los Angeles, CA Office Website: school.st-anastasia.org school@st-anastasia.org PARISH LIFE MINISTRIES Bereavement Young Adult Ministry Nancy Albin Prayer Group English Lori Mountain Rosary Ministry Rose De Leonardis Ben Oakley Respect Life Safe Guard the Children Rose Healy-Fissinger Karen Diaz St. Joseph Center. Jayne Cram Homeless Weekend Program/ St. Robert s Center Bob & Lori Caldwell St. Margaret s Center Mary Agnes Erlandson Catholic Charities Cindy Begazo Adopt-A-Family Rose and Matt Fissinger Bundles for Babies and Diaper Drive Teressa Syta Nurses Ministry Nancy Reilly Pen Pal Project - Prison Ministry jeanne@pieper.com Ministry for Married Couples Jon & Suzette Sornborger Men s Spirituality Joe Berberich Shad Meshad Men s Morning Hour MOMS Ministry Jayne Cram Bible Study Carolyn Godlewski Social Ministry Laurette Bibeau Family Visitation Ministry Sr. Teresita Chronic Pain Support Ministry Patrick Doherty LITURGICAL MINISTRIES (Continues ) Altar Server Committee: Herb Masi Patrick Doherty Maura Reznik