Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time March 3, 2019

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1 Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time March 3, 2019 Monday Tuesday Wednesday 12:00 noon 7:00pm Thursday Friday 7:00 p.m. Saturday MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK March 4 St. Casimir The Mascio Family by Janet Mascio March 5 Joseph DeAngelis by William DeAngelis March 6 Ash Wednesday Nicholas Arden by Elaine Arden Frank A. Maggio by Joan M. Maggio The Staiti Family by Gail Staiti March 7 Sts. Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs Louis Iovino, Sr. by Carmela Iovino March 8 St. John of God Eucharistic Service Stations of the Cross March 9 St. Frances of Rome Robert Ward by Anne Ward 4:00 p.m. Sunday March 10 First Sunday of Lent 7:30 a.m. Custudio Castro 9:00 a.m. Harriet & Paul Schneider by Jean Fennessy & Family 11:00 a.m. Don Rohrbach by Marilyn Rohrbach Candle & Flower Offerings The Sanctuary candle is offered for the People of the Parish. The candle before the BVM is offered in loving memory of Lola Calcagon by the Rossmoor Italian American Club. The candle before St. Anthony is offered in loving memory of Anthony Capobianco by Angela Buff. Statements for your 2018 donations are available upon request. Call the parish office , ext. 15. The Collection amount for the weekend of February 24 th was $13,264. Thank you for your continued support of our parish! PARISH CALENDAR March 4 K of C meeting 6:30pm March 5 RE Confirmation Practice 6:00 7:30pm in the church March 6 Ash Wednesday Woman s Faith Sharing 9:00am Choir Practice after Mass March 7 St. Vincent de Paul meeting 9:00am Confirmation 7:00pm March 9 Family Life s Family Night 5:00-9:00pm March 10 Men s Spirituality Group 7:00pm March 11 Lenten Book Club 7:00pm March 12 Buildings and Grounds 9:00am Prayer Shawl 1:30pm Hall RE Monthly Obligation Grades :30pm March 13 WoN Lenten Reflection 9:00am Woman s Faith Sharing 9:00am March 14 Choir Practice - 7:30pm March 16 K of C St. Joe s/st. Pat s Party 5:30pm in Father Congdon Hall March 18 K of C Social 6:30pm Lenten Book Club 7:00pm March 20 Woman s Faith Sharing 9:00am RE Monthly Obligation Grades :30pm Baptism Prep 7:30pm March 21 Choir Practice 7:30pm Daily Readings Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time Sunday Sir 27:4-7; 1 Cor 15:54-58; Lk 6:39-45 Monday Sir 17:20-24; Mk 10:17-27 Tuesday Sir 35:1-12; Mk 10:28-31 Wednesday Jl 2:12-18; 2 Cor 5:20 6:2; Mt 6:1-6, Thursday Dt 30:15-20; Lk 9:22-25 Friday Is 58:1-9a; Mt 9:14-15 Saturday Is 58:9b-14; Lk 5:27-32

2 A MESSAGE FROM DEACON JOHN S. The theme of last week s gospel, to do unto others as you would have them do unto you, stressed the command from Jesus to closely examine our personal behaviors and how we act with and toward each other. Today we are called to become introspective, looking deeply into ourselves and examine how often we judge, criticize and find fault with others without ever considering how we behave. A sad human condition but one we all suffer from. How often have we stopped to consider our own shortcomings and thought to ourselves, who am I to judge someone else when have all these flaws and weaknesses in my own life. How much better our time would be spent if we focused on fixing ourselves instead of wasting our time passing judgement on others. When was the last time you found that your judgement of someone else had a positive effect on them? Likely never. If that same time were spent treating others with respect, dignity and compassion as Jesus is telling us to do and modeling for us, how much better off we and they would be. As we begin the holy season of Lent this week, and hear the prayer turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel spoken to us as we receive ashes, remember the very clear and simple message of Jesus from today, a good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good and let that be a guide to each of us every day. In peace, Deacon John The Lenten Prayer of St. Ephrem O Lord and Master of my life, keep from me the spirit of indifference and discouragement, lust of power and idle chatter. Instead, grant to me, your servant, the spirit of wholeness of being, humble-mindedness, patience and love. O Lord and King, grant me the grace to be aware of my sins and not to judge my brother or sister; for you are blessed now and forever. Amen. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION REMINDERS FOR MARCH 2019 March 5 th 8 th grade Confirmation Practice 6:00 7:30pm in the church March 7 th Confirmation Mass 7:00pm March 12 th Monthly obligation grade 3-7 6:00 7:30pm March 20 th Monthly obligation grade 3-7 6:00 7:30pm NEW EVENT Family Life Ministry will be hosting a family game night on Saturday March 9 th at 5:00 pm. Come for pizza and a Jenga tournament. We will assign 2 families per game for a double elimination tournament. The winning family will win a prize! Please RSVP no later than March 5. Drop off form in the FLM mailbox located in the narthex next to the elevator. Call Christine Dranchak at with any questions Family Game Night Family Last Name: # Adults: # Children: STEWARDSHIP SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. (Luke 6:43) Are you using your God-given gifts in the way God intended? Do you compare yourself to others and complain about what you don t have instead of being thankful for what you do have? God gives each of us unique gifts and a unique plan. Listen to how God is calling you to use your gifts, to bear good fruit, for the glory of His name.

3 Simple Soup Supper Bring your Friends and Family to enjoy homemade soup every Friday in Lent. Fridays March 8 April 12 Father Congdon Hall 5:30-7:00 pm Simple Soup Suppers (Donations accepted) 7 pm Stations of the Cross In the Church Drop off RSVP at Narthex by March 5 th. For Questions, please contact Franny Sicat at (917) or famsmnj@gmail.com Name: Phone: Check dates and indicate number of people attending: March 8 March 15 March 22 March 29 April 5 April 12 Lenten Book Club The first document of Pope Francis is titled The Joy of the Gospel. Pope Francis is very aware of the challenges of bringing Christ s message to the modern world but is fully aware that for as much progress that has been made Joy seems to elude many people. He strives to help us all look with new eyes to the depth and beauty of God s gift to us. This document is not so much about doctrine as it is a guide to the daily efforts we are called to make so as to experience Christ s joy in our lives. In a world that can easily keep us on the surface of existence, Pope Francis helps us become aware of the beauty of Christ s mercy and that when this is experienced, sharing this treasure of meaning and purpose becomes a joyful impulse within us all. Please join us, so that together we can learn and be renewed with this gift from our Holy Father. LENTEN 2019 SCHEDULE ASH WEDNESDAY March 6, 2019 Mass 8:30AM; 12 Noon; 7:00PM LENTEN BOOK CLUB Mondays 7:00 pm March 11, 18, 25, April 1, 8 STATIONS OF THE CROSS FOLLOWED BY ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT Fridays 7:00PM March 8, 15, 22, 29, April 5, 12, 19 MORNING PRAYER Tuesdays and Thursday 8AM WOMEN S FAITH SHARING Wednesdays 9:00-10:30AM SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Parish Penance Service Wednesday, April 10 7:00PM HOLY THURSDAY April 18 Mass of the Lord s Supper 7:00PM Adoration at the Repository until 10:00PM Sung Compline 10:00PM GOOD FRIDAY April 19 Liturgy of the Lord s Passion and Death 3:00PM Prayer at the Cross 7:00PM HOLY SATURDAY April 20 Blessing of Easter Food 12 Noon Great Vigil of Easter 7:30PM EASTER SUNDAY April 21 Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord 7:30 AM 9:00 AM 11:00 AM

4 The Women of Nativity would like you to join us for our Lenten Reflection on March 13 th at 9am in Father Congdon Hall. Our speaker will be Mary Ann Sullivan. Breakfast will be served, consisting of Deep-Dish Pancakes with apples and cranberries, Belgium waffles with syrup and butter, Scrambled eggs, Bacon, Home Fries, Croissants, Mini Muffins, and Bagels with cream cheese and butter, Orange Juice and Coffee. The cost will be $12. Please complete the form below, and return with your check made out to Nativity of Our Lord Church, and place in your envelope in the WON no later than March 7th. Questions, call Pam Chauvin, Name: Phone: Amt.: Check# Lenten Obligations So that the Church of Metuchen may be spiritually one in a common observance of Lent, the following days of fast and abstinence are to be observed by all Catholics of the Diocese who enjoy the blessings of good health: 1. The days of fast and abstinence are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. 2. All other Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence. 3. From the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday until the celebration of the Easter Vigil on the evening of Holy Saturday, the Easter fast should be observed so that, with uplifted and welcoming hearts, we may be ready to celebrate the joys of the Resurrection. This ancient tradition, intimately connected with the Rites of Holy Week and the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, is encouraged, especially in those places baptizing catechumens at the Easter Vigil. The obligation to fast applies only to Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59. To fast in the Catholic tradition means to limit oneself to one full meal during the day so as to experience hunger. The obligation of abstinence affects all Catholics who have reached the age of 14. Abstinence in the Catholic tradition means to abstain from meat. The obligation of fast and abstinence, as a whole, is a serious obligation. While failure to observe any penitential day in itself may not be considered serious, the failure to observe any penitential days at all, or a substantial number of them without good cause, would be considered a grave matter. Those unable to abstain for a valid reason on any given Friday of Lent are asked to perform some other penitential act, or to abstain on another day. CHURCH ACTIVITIES On Tuesday, March 26 th, we are planning our next bus trip to Atlantic City s Tropicana Casino. Cost is $23/person, with $30 slot play bonus per person. A photo ID is required to obtain a Player s card to receive the bonus. Make check payable to NATIVITY CHURCH ACTIVITIES. Arrive at 9:15am and park in the rear of the Church parking lot. Bus will leave promptly at 9:30am, and returning approximately 7:30pm. For reservations, please call Janet Mascio at PARISH MINISTRIES St. Vincent De Paul Society: If you are experiencing financial hardship due to a temporary loss of employment, illness, or disability, the St. Vincent de Paul Society is available to provide assistance for your everyday needs such as food, utility assistance, or agency referrals. Please dial the parish number , then press 8, and leave a message with your name and phone number. Someone will return your call. All calls are handled in strict confidence. Rice Bowl: Join our faith community (and nearly 14,000 Catholic communities across the United States) in a life-changing Lenten journey of encounter with CRS Rice Bowl. Pick up your family's CRS Rice Bowl after Mass this weekend. During the 40 days of Lent, as companions on the journey, we will encounter our neighbors. Food Pantry: After all you have given, just be your usual generous selves. We thank you. Prayer Shawl: Our next get-together is March 12 th at 1:30 pm in the church hall. Join us as we create shawls for the sick and homebound members of the parish (and beyond!) New members are always welcome. Questions? Call Dorothy Kopil at or Liz Coulston at

5 Caring Meals: The Caring Meals group delivers soup year-round to our homebound parishioners and provides short-term help to parishioners who are recuperating from an illness or hospital stay with deliveries of home-cooked meals. If you like to cook or know of someone who could benefit from either of these two services, please call Maryanne Sheerin at Helping Hands: Do you need a helping hand with minor tasks around the house? There are parishioners who are willing to help in these situations. Please contact Esther Wolff by phone at Rosary Group: Please join us every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7:50 a.m. to recite the Holy Rosary. We are seated at the right side of the church near the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico with Bishop James F. Checchio October 20-24, 2019 In preparation for the Consecration of The Diocese of Metuchen to Our Lady of Guadalupe, Bishop James F. Checchio will lead a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico, October 20-24, Information meetings will be held on Tuesday February 19 th at 7:30 p.m. as well as Saturday, February 23 rd at 10:00 a.m. at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, 146 Metlars Lane, Piscataway. All are welcome! Saint Matthew School 100 Seymour Avenue Edison, NJ Pre-K3-8 th grade OPEN HOUSE: SUNDAY, MARCH 10, :30 am 1:30 pm *Spanish taught K - 8 th / *STEM/STREAM / *AdvanceED Accredited Extracurricular: Robotics, Drama, Band, Garden Club & More Join us for Open House and see all that Saint Matthew School has to offer! For more information or to schedule a private tour, call Valentines Day is Every Day No reason why Valentine s Day should be just one day each year. Why not give your spouse a gift that lasts every day? A Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend gives you the time and tools to revitalize romance, deepen communication, and nourish the spirituality in your marriage. The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend will be held March Early registration is advisable as space is limited. Phone for registration and information. For further information visit us at Immaculate Conception School in Spotswood is looking for substitute teachers for Grades Pre-K through Grade 8. If you are interested and would like more information, contact Mrs. Joyce Costello at or through at jcostello@icsspotswood.com Bishop s Annual Appeal Help Build a Civilization of Love Twenty-four percent $1.7 million dollars of the funds raised by the 2019 Bishop s Annual Appeal is earmarked for Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen. Through more than 100 programs, Catholic Charities serves those most in need of our assistance. If you have yet to make your pledge to this year s Bishop s Annual Appeal, you will have the opportunity to do so the weekend, March 16/17, which has been designated as Bishop s Annual Appeal In-Pew Weekend. Help us reach our target of 100% participation. Every gift, no matter the size, is important and greatly appreciated.