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, Parish Ministry Council Marilyn Mineart - Chair Diocesan Victim s Advocate Kathleen Chastain or chastain@diocesekcsj.org Ombudsman Jenifer Valenti, or JeniferValenti@att.net

2 APRIL 22, THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER MASS INTENTIONS READINGS OF THE WEEK - APRIL 23-29, 2018 Sat., April 21 - Vigil of the 4th Sunday of Easter 4:00PM + Barney Breunig Sunday, April 22 - The 4th Sunday of Easter 8:00AM + Mike Pott For My Brother s Healing 10:30AM + Al Flowers & Thelma Bruehl Monday, April 23 - St. George & St. Adalbert 8:30AM Communion Service Tuesday, April 24 - St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen 8:30AM + Margaret Trigg Wednesday, April 25 - St. Mark the Evangelist 8:30AM Nativity of Mary Parish & School Thursday, April 26 8:30AM + Virginia McMenamy Friday, April 27 8:30AM + Roy McClure Saturday, April 28 - Vigil of 5th Sunday after Easter 4:00PM + Leonard Goebel Sunday, April 29-5th Sunday after Easter 8:00AM + For Isaac Olyaye to be able to speak + Theresa Fabela 10:30AM + Helen Vitt & Caterina DiGaetano PLEASE PRAY FOR: Vern/Margaret Ault Marla Herbst Mike Singleton Michael Bell Vicky Hohlbaugh Patrick Singleton Sara Breunig Cynthia/Dennis Jones Bernice/Norm Steffen Steve Christensen Paula Kienberger George Timko, Jr. John Clarke Katie Lesmeister John Tuccillo Tracey Costanzo Dan Mangold Mary Vitt Bob DeSchepper Betty Mascal Carol Byrd Weaver Kathy Dunbar Jack McEnroe Alyssa Webb Roni Durkee Juan/Mary Perez Beth Whorton Mary Enyart Carlos Pinon Daniel Wheeler Garry/Emily Gagnon Steve Reasoner Ayden Wright Barbara Garrett Mike Rooney Monday: Acts 11:1-18; Ps 42:2-3; 43:3, 4; Jn 10:1-10 Tuesday: Acts 11:19-26; Ps 87:1b-7; Jn 10:22-30 Wednesday: 1 Pt 5:5b-14; Ps 89:2-3, 6-7, 16-17; Mk 16:15-20 Thursday: Acts 13:13-25: Ps 89:2-3, 21-22, 25, 27; Jn 13:16-20 Friday: Acts 13:26-33; Ps 2:6-11ab; Jn 14:1-6 Saturday: Acts 13:44-52; Ps 98:1-4; Jn 14:7-14 Sunday: Acts 9:26-31; Ps 22:26-28, 30-32; 1 Jn 3:18-24; Jn 15:1-8 TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION Most languages take the name for this fifty-day season from the Lord's Passover: Pasqua in Italian, Pâques in French, Paach in Dutch, Pascha in Greek and Russian. English has a much newer name, the name of a pagan goddess, Eoster. For centuries before Christianity took hold, in both Germany and Britain the spring equinox was dedicated to her and the concepts of fertility and rebirth. She was said to be a playful spirit, following the Sun King's chariot, and ending the reign of winter. She had a magical companion, a rabbit who hid eggs in the fields to coax plants and animals to rebirth. It was believed that Eoster once came across a bird with broken wings and saved it by turning it into a rabbit--an egglaying rabbit at that! Although they were baptized, most people didn't take to the new Latin name (Pascha Domini) too easily, and kept calling the spring equinox by the old accustomed name. For good measure, they kept a pagan name for Christmas, too: Yule. Rev. James Field, Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Co. Gluten-free hosts are available. Talk to Fr. Bob before Mass. 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.

3 APRIL 22, PARISH NEWS Did You Know The Nativity of Mary Quilters are having a quilt raffle. The drawing will be held on Mother s Day, May 12th. The quilt will be displayed next week in the back of church. The quilters will be at all the masses next weekend selling raffle tickets. There will also be a sheet of tickets in next week s bulletin. Tickets can be turned in to any of the quilters or dropped in the collection basket at the weekend masses. All proceeds will go to the Building Fund. Nativity of Mary Church presents Exploring Greece and Its Islands Featuring Classical Greece, Mykonos & Santorini March 28 - April 11, 2019 The Nativity Altar Society is starting to plan for the annual sale. Mark your calendars to join us June 19 th 22 nd in our Parish Hall. As you do some Spring Cleaning, please consider saving some items to donate to the sale. More information regarding volunteering, times & drop off dates will follow. NATIVITY OF MARY CONTRIBUTION REPORT 4/7/2018 & 4/8/2018 Envelopes $ 9, Plate $ Church Debt $ Pisces Fund $ Utility Fund $ - EFT $ Credit Card $ - Online Giving $ Poor Box $ Total $ 12, Holy Day Collection - Easter $ Tuition/Registration Fees $ 11, Tuition/Registration Fees $ - Thank you for supporting our Parish Community and Catholic Education! Come explore Greece and some of its islands with Fr. Bob, fellow parishioners and friends. There will be a representative from Collette here on April 24, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in the Ministry Center basement to give you details and answer any questions you may have. HELP NEEDED! Nativity of Mary's spring cleanup of our parish campus will take place from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturday, May 5. Come help your parish family get our grounds in shape for the coming warm months. Bring gardening tools, clippers, rakes, lawn and leaf bags, etc. Then stay for a hot dog and chip lunch afterwards. Silence is a gift of God, to let us speak more intimately with God. --St. Vincent Pallotti 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.

4 APRIL 22 - MAY 12, 2018 CALENDAR Sunday 22 8:00AM Mass 10:30AM Mass 9AM Choir Rehearsal 1PM Monday 23 8:30AM Communion Serv. Tuesday 24 9AM - Quilters 6PM - Information Meeting On 2019 Greece Trip Wednesday 25 Thursday 26 Friday 27 Saturday 28 3:00PM Confession 4:00PM Mass 8:00AM Mass 10:30AM Mass :30AM Communion Serv. May 1 9AM - Quilters 2 7PM Altar Society Mtg. 3 9AM-Noon Eucharistic Adoration 4 3:00PM Confession 4:00PM Mass 5 8:00AM Mass 10:30AM Mass 6 8:30AM Communion Serv. 7 9AM - Quilters 7PM - Ministry Council Meeting 8 7:00PM Choir Rehearsal :00PM Confession 4:00PM Mass 12

5 SCHOOL - APRIL 22, 2018 We celebrated Earth Day at Nativity on April 19th! Kate Delehunt, the Curriculum Coordinator, from The Kansas City Water Services presented to the students on the importance of protecting our water sources, and what students can do to keep our streams and creeks clean. We served an Earth friendly lunch in the cafeteria which consisted of: Turkey Roll Ups, Broccoli trees, Raisins, dirt and Oreo Pudding dessert with gummy worms dirt cake. It was a fun, educational day for the students and staff! FORE! THE PLAY WITH FIRE 20 TH ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT WON T YOU JOIN US? MONDAY, APRIL 30TH HILLCREST GOLF CLUB This tournament helps support the F.I.R.E. program, Foundation for Inclusive Religious Education, that is in several of our diocesan schools including Nativity. Please contact Susan Williams, Development Manager at the FIRE Office for sponsorship opportunities. swilliams@diocesekcsj.org or Please continue to recycle your junk mail, office papers, newspapers, etc. Our recycle bin is in the south parking lot behind school. Please save pop tabs, boxtops and Best Choice barcodes for our school. You can drop them off at the school or church. Christianity is the spirit of Jesus Christ at work in the world. --Anonymous

6 APRIL 22, THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER On this fourth Sunday of the Easter season, the focus shifts from recalling the appearances of the resurrected Jesus toward considering Jesus in light of primary images in scripture. In the Gospel, Jesus describes the intimate bond between the Good Shepherd and the flock and how they know and recognize each other. The Letter of John describes the intimacy of God as Father and humanity as God's children, who recognize and love each other. In our reading from Acts, Peter tells of the religious leaders who didn't know or recognize their God when they encountered Jesus, and so crucified him. Our readings invite us to listen for our God, active in our daily lives, and to open ourselves to the intimacy that our Good Shepherd seeks with us. God also empowers us to then extend this intimacy out into the world, through our care for others. LAY DOWN MY LIFE In the Old Testament, God is described many times as the shepherd of the people of Israel. So when Jesus claims this image of God to describe himself, it is startling even to his disciples. In today's Gospel, he takes the image one step beyond the Old Testament: as the Good Shepherd, he is to "lay down his life." This phrase is stated, with slight variation, five times in today's short passage. Jesus is describing the meaning of his life and of his death. With firm roots in the story of Israel and their God, Jesus is now starting a new chapter. He is helping his disciples make sense of his death on the cross, and to describe how to follow this particular shepherd. When Jesus lays down his life, he is revealing the infinite love that he and the Father have for the flock. To follow Jesus, to be a part of Jesus' flock, means participating in that same sacrificial love. ONE FLOCK Jesus adds another feature to the shepherd imagery, which was also disturbing to his disciples. He refers to "other sheep which do not belong to this fold," who will become part of the same flock. This likely refers to the Gentiles, to all peoples beyond Israel. The Shepherd extends his flock, but emphasizes that there is still only one flock. Jesus spoke forcefully and frequently, especially in the Gospel of John, of the importance of unity among those who follow him. We who follow Jesus are expected to embrace the "other sheep," to respect and celebrate differences among Christians. We are expected to learn from one another. All those things that seem to divide Jesus's followers in culture, ethnicity, or history of conflict fade in comparison with the deeper unity of the one flock under one Shepherd. Living in unity is essential for us to be faithful and credible witnesses of Christ to the world. Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Company The Risen Christ: An Examination of the Resurrection Narratives Wednesday Evenings May 2, 9, 16 and 23, 2018 ~ 7-9 PM repeated on Thursday Mornings May 3, 10, 17, and 24, 2018 ~ 10 AM to Noon St. Sabina Parish, 700 Trevis Ave., Belton, MO During the Easter season we proclaim with great joy the resurrection story of Jesus. The resurrection accounts articulate the faith experience, meaning and significance that Jesus had for the community that produced the gospel. To unpack the resurrection accounts, it is important to know the mind and heart of the gospel community that produced them. These four two-hour sessions will examine the resurrection narratives of each of the four gospels, along with the significance that the Risen Christ had for Paul, as reflected in his letters. As we delve into the separate resurrection accounts, we will link them to the gospel as a whole, and to their meaning and significance for us today. These sessions are an ideal way to celebrate the Easter Season and deepen our understanding of and belief in the resurrection. Come, bring your Bibles and a friend and let us all reflect on these rich narratives which help us explore the deeper meaning of our baptismal call as disciples of the Lord. All churches and faith traditions are most welcomed. To register, either call ( ) or (biagio@stsabinaparish.org) Biagio or call ( ) or (kris@stsabinaparish.org) Kris.

7 APRIL 22, THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER