Parish Staff. New Parishioners If you are new to our parish and would like more information please contact the Parish Office.

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1 Nativity of Mary Church and School E 36th Terrace Independence, MO Parish: (816) School: (816) Web: My attitude must be Christ s. - Philippians 2:5 Parish Staff Rev. Robert Stone, Pastor Mrs. Mary Parrish, Principal Melissa Clancy, Business Manager New Parishioners If you are new to our parish and would like more information please contact the Parish Office. Pastoral Care Sacraments for the Sick. Fr. Bob Stone, , ext. 404 Mass Schedule Monday: 8:30 a.m. Communion Service Weekday: 8:30 a.m. Tuesday - Friday Saturday: 4:00 p.m. Sunday: 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Holy Day: 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Confessions Saturday: 3:00 p.m. or by Appointment Pastoral visits to the Homebound and Hospitals. Paula Cassity, , ext. 401 Emergency Assistance Contact St. Mary s Food Pantry and Clothes Closet Youth Ministry Debbie Page, , ext. 408 School School, Early Childhood and Extended Care Carmen Wolfgeher, Sacrament Preparation Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation, Adult Initiation (RCIA), and Matrimony Contact the parish office for information Music Ministry Maria Milazzo, , ext 407 Parish Ministry Council Chris Walter - Chair Diocesan Victim s Advocate Kathleen Chastain or chastain@diocesekcsj.org Ombudsman Jenifer Valenti, or JeniferValenti@att.net

2 FEBRUARY 4, THE FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME MASS INTENTIONS READINGS OF THE WEEK FOR - FEB. 5-11, 2018 Sat., Feb. 3 - Vigil of the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time 4:00PM + Phillip & Mary Pappas Sunday, Feb. 4 - The 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00AM + Linda Perez 10:30AM + Joseph Giacone & Vincent Triolo Monday, February 5 - St. Agatha COMMUNION SERVICE Tuesday, February 6 - St. Paul Miki & Companions + The Peters Family Wednesday, February 7 Nativity of Mary Parish & School Thur., Feb. 8 - St. Jerome Emiliani & St. Josephine Bakhita COMMUNION SERVICE Friday, February 9 COMMUNION SERVICE Sat., Feb Vigil of the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time 4:00PM + Naomi Baker Sunday, February 11 -The 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00AM + Rose Florido 10:30AM + Jack & Josephine Studer & Pete Quiroga PLEASE PRAY FOR: Vern/Margaret Ault Marla Herbst Mike Rooney Maxine Breunig Vicky Hohlbaugh Mike Singleton Sara Breunig Cynthia/Dennis Jones Patrick Singleton Steve Christensen Paula Kienberger Bernice/Norm Steffen John Clarke George Lambros George Timko, Jr. Kelly Cook Dan Mangold John Tuccillo Bob DeSchepper Betty Mascal Carol Byrd Weaver Roni Durkee Jack McEnroe Alyssa Webb Mary Enyart Juan/Mary Perez Beth Whorton Garry/Emily Gagnon Carlos Pinon Daniel Wheeler Barbara Garrett Steve Reasoner Ayden Wright Monday: 1 Kgs 8:1-7, 9-13; Ps 132:6-7, 8-10; Mk 6:53-56 Tuesday: 1 Kgs 8:22-23, 27-30; Ps 84:3-5, 10-11; Mk 7:1-13 Wednesday: 1 Kgs 10:1-10; Ps 37:5-6, 30-31, 39-40; Mk 7:14-23 Thursday: 1 Kgs 11:4-13; Ps 106:3-4, 35-37, 40; Mk 7:24-30 Friday: 1 Kgs 11:29-32; 12:19; Ps 81:10-11ab, 12-15; Mk 7:31-37 Saturday: 1 Kgs 12:26-32; 13:33-34; Ps 106:6-7ab, 19-22; Mk 8:1-10 Sunday: Lv 13:1-2, 44-46; Ps 32:1-2, 5, 11; 1 Cor 10: :1; Mk 1:40-45 TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION We're reading St. Paul's letter to the Corinthians these days. What was Corinth like? It had a beautiful setting on an isthmus, about fifty miles from Athens. The location makes for very easy exchange by sea routes between Greece and Italy, a factor in its economic success even today. In Paul's day it was a cosmopolitan and wealthy city with inhabitants drawn from all over the world, including a sizeable Jewish community. When Paul arrived about the year 50, the city was only about a century old, but already five times the size of Athens. Paul lived in Corinth for a year and a half, and a few years later came back for three months. The community of Christians there struggled against the influence of a very secular and self-indulgent society that was blind to the plight of the poor. Pagan attitudes afflicted the community, which had a way of breaking Paul's heart; he wrote to them sometimes "with many tears" (2 Corinthians 2:4). Today, Corinth is a small industrial city. Its historic core has been destroyed by a series of earthquakes over the centuries, and what little remained was totally obliterated in a war with Turkey in the 1820s. There's a core city with glamorous shops to catch the tourists, but it is mainly a cargo port, with piles of marble, tiles, and minerals everywhere, a huge oil refinery nearby, a busy canal, a modern fast rail line to Athens, and a meeting point of major highways. Today, the remains of the Temple of Apollo and the marketplace are more ruined than most such sites. The glory of the city Paul knew well has faded, but the relevance of his words shines through the centuries. Rev. James Field, Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Co.

3 FEBRUARY 4, PARISH NEWS Did You Know Fr. Bob will be on vacation February 8th - 15th. Fr. Opoka will celebrate mass with us next Saturday and Sunday and he will also celebrate the masses at 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Ash Wednesday, February 14th. While Fr. Bob is gone, except Ash Wednesday, the usual 8:30 a.m. weekday masses will be Communion Services. Thanks to everyone who donated 2018 calendars, note pads and stickers to be distributed to nursing home residents. The residents really enjoy receiving them. Devotional candles are kept in the kiosk. If you would like to light one just ask an usher for assistance. There is a slot and envelopes available in the kiosk to place your $5 donation. If you have a suggestion, concern, or comment you would like the Parish Ministry Council to address there are cards on the kiosk for you to fill out and drop in the slot. Gluten-free hosts are available. Talk to Fr. Bob before Mass. We have 2 wheelchairs and hearing assist devices available for your use during mass. Please contact an usher. NATIVITY OF MARY CONTRIBUTION REPORT 1/20/2018 & 1/21/2018 Envelopes $ 6, Plate $ Church Debt $ Pisces Fund $ Utility Fund $ EFT $ Credit Card $ Online Giving $ Poor Box $ Total $ 8, Tuition/Registration Fees $ 18, Catholic Home Missions Collection St. Mary s Food Pantry St. Mary s Food Pantry is always in need of donations for our clients. However, they are overstocked with canned vegetables to last for years, so they are asking for help in collecting the following food items for their pantry... Creamed Soups Tuna Oatmeal Packages Instant Mashed Potatoes Canned Meats Canned Fruits Mac & Cheese Jelly Tune Helper Boxes of Oatmeal Ramen Noodles Pasta Sides Pork and Beans Canned Chicken Pasta Sauce Manual Can Opener There is a barrel in the back of church where you can drop off your food items. If you have cash donations you can mail them directly to St. Mary s or give them to an usher and we will be sure to get them to St. Mary s for you.

4 FEBRUARY 4-24, 2018 CALENDAR Sunday 4 8:00AM Mass 10:30AM Mass Monday 5 6PM - PTO Mtg. Tuesday 6 9AM - Quilters 6PM - PTO Mtg. Wednesday 7 7PM Thursday 8 Communion Serv 7PM - Ministry Council Meeting Friday 9 Communion Serv Saturday 10 3:00PM Confession 4:00PM Mass 7PM - RCIA Available 8:00AM Until sold out 8:00AM Mass 10:30AM Mass 9AM Noon - 2:00PM 13 9AM - Quilters 7PM - RCIA 6:30PM Mass :30PM - Liturgy Committee Mtg. 5PM Fish Fry 16 3:00PM Confession 4:00PM Mass 17 7PM - Book Club 7PM - Stations of the Cross 8:00AM Mass 10:30AM Mass 9AM AM - Quilters 7PM - RCIA 20 5:30PM - Finance Council Meeting 7PM PM - School Stations of the Cross 5PM Fish Fry 23 3:00PM Confession 4:00PM Mass 24 7PM - Station of the Cross BEGINNING EXPERIENCE A WEEKEND AWAY FOR A LIFETIME OF CHANGE Serving the Widowed, Separated and Divorced; who are suffering the loss of a love relationship and may feel left out by their church, uneasy around married friends, unsure of themselves and uncertain about their futures. Helps grieving persons focus on their experience, deal with the natural grief process and offers an opportunity to turn the pain of loss into an experience of positive growth emerging from the darkness of grief into the light of a new beginning. The next Beginning Experience Weekend is MARCH 2-4, 2018, at Precious Blood, Liberty, MO. For more information visit: register.bekc@gmail.com, or contact Lori Celebrate Valentine s Day and the Sacrament of Marriage You are invited to the Mass, Reception and Dinner honoring the Sacrament of Marriage February 12th - Avila University The cost is $40 per person and Features Food Stations with Beef Tenderloin Father Sunoi Thomas OSB Celebrant, Homilist, and Dinner Speaker 5:00 p.m. Mass Orscheln Memorial Chapel, Avila University 6:00 p.m. Reception Whitfield Center, Avila University 6:45 p.m. Dinner Whitfield Center, Avila University Dinner reservations and payment due by February 7th. (Call Roger Tilling, , with special dietary needs) Mail to: Roger Tilling, Pratt Rd. Lee s Summit, MO 64086

5 SCHOOL - FEBRUARY 4, 2018 Dear Nativity of Mary Parish, This Sunday marks the start of Catholic Schools Week. Every year Nativity of Mary Church and School hold a service project to help those in need. This year we are doing the Souper Bowl of Caring for Harvester s Food Pantry. Instead of focusing on just one food pantry, Harvester s donates to pantries all over Independence. The collection starts on January 27th and ends on February 7th. We are asking for donations in the form of canned soups. Your donations may be put in either the Souper Bowl barrel in church or in the Souper Bowl barrel in the front hallway of the school. Thank you for supporting Nativity of May and those in need. Sincerely, Student Service Are you interested? Nativity of Mary School offers many extra-curricular activities after school including, Art, Service Club, Choir, Musical/Theater, Robotics, Chess, Campfire, Scouts and Bricks for Kidz. These after school activities are a vital part of our school. The students can learn, grow and serve in areas of interest to them, and perhaps even develop a life-long passion! Most of these clubs are run by dedicated volunteers, and we are very thankful for their service to our children. However, a few of the clubs have cost associated with them, either to pay instructors, or for supplies, and we do not want cost to be a barrier. If you would be interested in sponsoring a child for an activity, please saddison@nativityofmary.org. Thank you for your support of our school!! Nativity of Mary School Facebook Page I am sure that most of you know that Nativity of Mary School has a Facebook Page. This is one place that we share the good news about our school. I recently read that from a marketing perspective the like button may be the most powerful tool Facebook has to offer. In order to utilize this powerful tool we need your help! So please go to and like Nativity of Mary School, and ask 5-10 friends and family members to do the same! We currently have 300 likes on our page and I would love to have over 1,000 likes, but we need your help to make this happen! Thank you! Did you know that Nativity of Mary School has formed a partnership with the Education Department at Rockhurst University? During the second semester there will be eleven Rockhurst students who come into the 3rd grade classroom weekly to work on literacy skills with the students. This is an exciting opportunity for the Rockhurst students to get hands on experience working with students. This is also an amazing opportunity for our school to work hand-in-hand with a Catholic University, and for our students to learn from aspiring teachers who will bring innovative practices to the classroom. Nativity of Mary School looks forward to further opportunities to work with Rockhurst University! Rooted in Faith. Growing in Knowledge. Serving Others. We want to serve you! St. Michael the Archangel Catholic High School desires to help you or someone you know who is in need! Any parishioners in need of students to assist with cleaning, painting, general organizing or yard work on February please contact Jana Burns, Supplies must be provided by the parishioner. Congratulations to the winners of the Knights of Columbus Free Throw Contest 10 year old division - Katie McGee & Wyatt Schulte 11 year old division - Michael Miller 12 year old division - Sophia Roccaro and Vincent Wiegman 13 year old division - Arlette Lara & Ethan Tran 14 year old division - Luke Johnson

6 FEBRUARY 4, THE FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Do you ever feel that life is drudgery? Have you ever been ill and wondered about your place on the earth or in the lives of the people you love? Do you sometimes feel rejected or misunderstood? On this Sunday in the early moments of a new year, we reflect on the clarity, consolation, and healing we find in faith. Job muses about the meaning of life; Saint Paul relies on faith as he responds to critics; the sick rush to Jesus, and he shows us God's tender care for those who are ailing and outcast. Not only does he respond to those who come to him; he goes where they are. God seeks us out in our moments of weakness. God will always be with us in such real experiences of human life. REAL LIFE The stories we hear in today's readings are stories of real life. The book of Job is the story of a man who is tested by illness, the death of loved ones, and the loss of friendships. Most of us can we relate to Job. We have probably had moments when life feels like drudgery, or when we awake in the middle of the night and cannot get back to sleep. Not all were willing to hear the gospel from Saint Paul. They questioned his motives and did not understand his commitment to share the news of Jesus with all. It is not always easy to live as a disciple in today's world, either. Not all will understand our commitment to Christian living. In today's Gospel, Jesus heals Peter's mother-in-law and many others who were ill. Those who are in need seek him out. Even when he goes away to spend time in prayer, his disciples go to find him. Jesus does not seem to have many minutes to himself, which any parent, child, friend, or person committed to service can understand when putting the needs of others first. Real life can be challenging! REAL FAITH The stories we hear today are also stories of real faith. While pushed almost to his limits, Job does not capitulate. He relies on God to be with him through illness, tragedy, and loneliness. Job knows that he truly is not alone. God is with him. Likewise, Saint Paul acts as he discerns he must. No doubt, he had moments of loneliness and felt the pressure of the judgment of others, but he did not waver in his trust in the love of the Lord. As in all things, Jesus shows us what to do. In moments of illness, isolation, and hurt, when direction in life is needed, turn to God in prayer. Trust in the healing touch of the Lord, whether physical healing or the emotional healing needed to endure suffering and pain. Jesus healed many who approached him then, and he continues to reach out to us in our need. Trust in God with real faith to meet the often-complicated circumstances of our real lives. Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Company In today s Gospel we hear of a great number of suffering people who seek the healing touch of Jesus. He could not respond to them all. But the Gospel also reveals Jesus, after praying in solitude, sensing an urgency to proclaim the Good News of his Father s redemptive love to those who suffer in the nearby villages and towns. Stewards are called to follow in Jesus footsteps, to respond to those who suffer with compassion. How are we responding to the suffering in our world? How are we using our gifts to continue the work of Christ s redemptive healing? Catholic Stewardship February 2018 e-bulletin If you want to change the world, go home and love your family. St. Mother Teresa The Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph is committed to combating sexual abuse in the Church. If you are a victim of sexual abuse, or if you observe or suspect sexual abuse: 1. Call the Missouri Child Abuse Hotline at (if the victim is currently under the age of 18), and 2. Contact your local law enforcement agency or call 911, and 3. After reporting to these civil and law enforcement authorities, report suspected sexual abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult to the Diocesan Ombudsman, Jenifer Valenti, at or JeniferValenti@att.net, if the abuse involves a priest, deacon, employee or volunteer of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. The Diocese has a sincere commitment to providing care and healing resources to victims of sexual abuse and their families. Please contact Victim Advocate, Kathleen Chastain, at or chastain@diocesekcsj.org for more information.

7 FEBRUARY 4, THE FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME STA GOLF TOURNAMENT As you look forward to spring, we hope you'll save the date for St. Teresa's Academy's annual Golf Classic, Monday, May 14, 2018 at Country Club of Leawood. Contact Sarah Ralph at sralph@stteresasacademy.org or (816) for more information. HELP YOUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED MOVE FROM CRISIS TO THRIVING. CATHOLIC CHARITIES EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FUND SECOND COLLECTION FEBRUARY 17/18 Utility bills are past due and the electricity gets shut off. There s no food in the kitchen. There s no money for basics like soap, shampoo and toothpaste. Each winter, these situations hit our vulnerable neighbors and create barriers to basic life that they cannot overcome alone. When this happens, it feels like hope is lost. Fortunately, thousands of families find Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph, and come to us in their moment of crisis. Here, they find help and hope in these emergency situations. Thanks to your support of the Emergency Assistance Fund, we are able to get them through the crisis and back to a sense of stability. Once their immediate needs are met, Catholic Charities walks with families on their personal pathway out of poverty Helping sustain them until they are self-sufficient and thriving. You ll find a second collection envelope in your packet for the weekend of February 17/18. Please be generous. Your gift to the Emergency Assistance Fund gives the warmth of hope this winter. From crisis to thriving: it s all because of you. MARILLAC RETREAT CENTER 4200 S 4TH STREET, LEAVENWORTH, KS Built in 2003, Marillac Center, a ministry of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, is located on the Mother House grounds, within a natural landscape of lovely trees, spacious parkland and fields, walkways and lively fountains. As a retreat and spirituality center, Marillac strives to create a place of quiet beauty and peaceful reflection which nurtures the inward journey in response to the Divine call. In a spirit of hospitality, this well-designed modern facility welcomes individuals seeking solitude as well as groups needing a place away for planning and renewal. UPCOMING IN EVENTS IN FEBRUARY Rest Stops for Busy Women February 24, 2018 Linger Over Coffee Tuesdays in Lent 2018 The Open Door For information on the above events and other spiritual opportunities at Marillac Center visit or call Mom s Lenten Retreat St. Michael the Archangel High School Saturday, February 24th 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist would like to treat moms to a Lenten retreat day. The retreat will include Mass, Adoration, Confession, talks, small group discussions, and beautiful music. The costs is $15, lunch included. Participants will also receive a beautiful lectio divina journal with daily mediations for the entire Lenten season. To register: visit the Events tab at Questions? Phone Kate Lucas at or Sr. Miriam, smiriam@smacatholic.org