Saint John the Evangelist Parish 115 Middlesex Street. North Chelmsford, Massachusetts Tel: 978-251-8571. Fax: 978-251-7873. www.saintjohnchelmsford.org OUR MISSION STATEMENT Called by Christ to unity in our Roman Catholic Faith, we bring together and welcome the faithful from diverse walks of life and ethnic backgrounds. We stand for the sanctity of life and the dignity of every person. We dedicate ourselves to formation in faith, pastoral care and service to all generations. Parish Office Hours Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Worship With Us! Weekend Mass Schedule Saturday: 4:00 PM Sunday: 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM & 5:00 PM Weekday Mass Schedule Monday - Saturday: 9:00 AM preceded by The Rosary at 8:30 AM Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturdays: 3:00-3:45 PM, Wednesdays of Lent: 6:30-8:00 PM or by appointment Sacrament of Baptism Second Sunday of the month. Call the Parish Office to register for baptismal preparation. Sacrament of Marriage Couples should contact the priest 6 months prior to their wedding date. March 15, 2015 Sacrament of The Sick Sunday following the 10:30 AM Mass. Call the Parish Office when someone is very ill. Sacrament of Holy Orders See a priest or visit info@vocationsboston.org
The Parish Family of Saint John the Evangelist, North Chelmsford, Massachusetts page 2 Staff Directory Paul Ciotti DIRECTOR OF WORSHIP ext 234; ciotti.sje@verizon.net Fran Anderson COORDINATOR OF REL ED & FAITH FORMATION ext 212; fran@saintjohnchelmsford.org Luis Nieto YOUTH MINISTRY COORDINATOR ext 230; luis@saintjohnchelmsford.org Liliana Lucas BUSINESS MANAGER ext 213; liliana@saintjohnchelmsford.org Christine Trznadel PARISH SECRETARY/ BULLETIN EDITOR ext 214; christine@saintjohnchelmsford.org Eileen Marcotte ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT ext 229; eileen@saintjohnchelmsford.org MON, MAR 16 Isaiah 65: 17-21 Psalm 30 John 4: 43-54 This Week s Readings SAT, MAR 21 Jeremiah 11: 18-20 Psalm 7 John 7: 40-53 Reverend Martin Dzengeleski ADMINISTRATOR, ext 218 frmartin@saintjohnchelmsford.org Reverend Hal Obayashi PAROCHIAL VICAR, ext 226 frobayashi@gmail.com Stephen Webber FACILITIES MANAGER, ext 231 TUE, MAR 17 Ezekiel 47: 1-9, 12 Psalm 46 John 5: 1-16 THUR, MAR 19 2Samuel 7: 4-5,12-14,16 Psalm 89 Romans 4: 13,16-18, 22 Matt 1:16, 18-21, 24 SUN, MAR 22 Jeremiah 31: 31-34 Psalm 51 Hebrews 5: 7-9 John 12: 20-33 WED, MAR 18 Isaiah 49: 8-15 Psalm 145 John 5: 17-30 FRI, MAR 20 Wisdom 2: 1, 12-22 Psalm 34 John 7: 1-2,10,25-30 YOUR WORD IS A LAMP UNTO MY FEET AND A LIGHT UNTO MY PATH -PSALM 119:105 Scripture Reflection Jesus explained to Nicodemus that the "Son of Man" must be "lifted up" to bring the power and authority of God's kingdom to bear on the earth. The title, "Son of Man," came from the prophet Daniel who describes a vision he received of the Anointed Messiah King who was sent from heaven to rule over the earth (Daniel 7:13-14). Traditionally when kings began to reign they were literally "lifted up" and enthroned above the people. Jesus explains to Nicodemus that he will be recognized as the Messiah King when he is "lifted up" on the cross at Calvary. Jesus points to a key prophetic sign which Moses performed in the wilderness right after the people of Israel were afflicted with poisonous serpents. Scripture tells us that many people died in the wilderness because of their sin of rebellion towards Moses and God. Through Moses' intervention, God showed mercy to the people and instructed Moses to "make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and every one who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live"(numbers 21:8). This miraculous sign was meant to foreshadow and point to the saving work which Jesus would perform to bring healing and salvation to the world. The bronze serpent which Moses lifted up in the wilderness points to the cross of Christ which defeats sin and death and obtains everlasting life for those who believe in Jesus Christ For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). How do we know, beyond a doubt, that God truly loves us and wants us to be united with him forever? God proved his love for us by giving us the best he had to offer - his only begotten Son who freely gave himself as an offering to God for our sake and as the atoning sacrifice for our sin and the sin of the world. This passage tells us of the great breadth and width of God's love. Not an excluding love for just a few or for a single nation, but a redemptive love that embraces the whole world, and a personal love for each and every individual whom God has created. God is a loving Father who cannot rest until his wandering children have returned home to him. God gives us the freedom to choose whom and what we will love. We can love the darkness of sin and unbelief or we can love the light of God s truth, beauty, and goodness. If our love is guided by what is true, and good and beautiful then we will choose for God and love him above all else. What we love shows what we prefer. Do you love God above all else? Do you give him first place in your life, in your thoughts, decisions and actions?
page 3 Mass Intentions Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them SATURDAY, MARCH 14TH 4:00 PM: Rita McGowan SUNDAY, MARCH 15TH 8:30 AM: Cecile & Marlene Poulin 10:30 AM: Alfred McMullen, Sr. (7th Anniversary) 12:30 PM: African Mass: Mary Okpe, John Magbondzi & Anastasia Onyeneho 5:00 PM: Pro Populo, For the People of the Parish MONDAY, MARCH 16TH 9:00 AM: Ashleigh Marie Baudin TUESDAY, MARCH 17TH 9:00 AM: John Powell WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18TH 9:00 AM: All Souls in Purgatory, especially deceased members of FOSS THURSDAY, MARCH 19TH 9:00 AM: Michael O Neill FRIDAY, MARCH 20TH 9:00 AM: Rita McGowan SATURDAY, MARCH 21ST 9:00 AM: Jessie Baretto (1st Anniversary) 4:00 PM: Jon Doherty, Priscilla Rega AND Marty T. Leonard SUNDAY, MARCH 22ND 8:30 AM: Pro Populo, For the People of the Parish 10:30 AM: The men who just returned from ACTS retreat 5:00 PM: Edward & Irene Spinelli May the souls of the faithful departed, especially Ann Marie Gary & Marie Desilets, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. -Amen R o s e f o r L i f e Happy Birthday, Peg From all your Culture of Life Friends To book a Rose for Life, call Christine; ext 214. Rose donated by Blossoms Florist March 15, 2015: Fourth Sunday of Lent 2015 Easter Flower Offerings in order for your intention to be published in the Easter Sunday bulletin, we will need to receive your donation/intention NO LATER than the NEXT weekend, March 21/22. Lenten Almsgiving Boxes Please return on Palm Sunday. Thank you! Please Remember the Poor As you leave church today, please pick up an SVdP envelope in the back of the church, and bring it back with your donation next weekend. Thank you for helping us fulfill the Lord s command to help the least of my brothers and sisters. Wow! Year 28! April 4th will mark the 28th year of my 13-mile Walk For Hunger. As you have proven to be most generous in the past, I am once again, asking you to join me in this very worthwhile endeavor. As always, my heartfelt thanks for your continued support. -Pat Ring 978-251-4802 Happy Spring! March 20, 2015 Is there someone special in your life that you would like to honor? Perhaps for a birthday, an anniversary, a graduation, a new baby, or another special occasion? Or maybe you d just like to give thanks for a favor received. You can do that by having a rose placed before Our Lady of Fatima s statue for one week. In addition, we will publish your intention in the bulletin. Please contact Christine at ext 214. The suggested offering for the rose is $5.00.
The Parish Family of Saint John the Evangelist, North Chelmsford, Massachusetts page 4 H O W D O E S T H E C A T H O L I C A P P E A L H E L P S T. J O H N T H E E V A N G E L I S T P A R I S H? The annual Catholic Appeal supports us in many ways. Here are just a few: * Rebate money from the Catholic Appeal paid to lift our A/C condensers 12 off the ground * Office staff received training for office manager certification, accounting software, and better management of our parish financial resources * Safety training for Religious Education volunteers and Certification training for Religious Education Coordinator * Food safety certification for workers in the kitchen * Assistance as we move into the collaborative phase * Workshops for all parishioners on married life, natural family planning, and other topics * St Andrew s Dinner Cardinal Sean s invitation to Young high school men for an evening of prayer and conversation Last weekend, our parish launched the 2015 Catholic Appeal. I would like to thank allof you who have given so generously to support our parish. If you were unable to attend Mass last weekend and wish to make a pledge, please take a pledge form from the back of the church. You can also make your gift or pledge online at www.bostoncatholicappeal.org Thank you for your support and for helping us to reach our parish goal. Appeal Coordinator Libby Often loften@gmail.org Business Manager: Liliana Lucas liliana@saintjohnchelmsford.org From the Office of Religious Ed & Faith Formation Fran Anderson, ext 212 So Long! See You Next Year! Please join us for our Year End Mass on Sunday, April 12th at 8:30, followed by light refreshments in the Hall, with the opportunity to catch the Early Bird Registration Rates for 2015/16 School Year. Please note that we will NOT hold registrations on Palm Sunday as we have in past years. See you there! FIRST COMMUNION REHEARSALS For Wednesday Students: March 18th: 4:15-5:30 PM & April 22nd: 4:00 PM For Sunday Students: March 22nd: 9:30-10:00 AM & April 19th: 9:30 AM YOUTH MINISTRY www.chelmsfordyouthministry.weebly.com Luis Nieto, ext 230 Cor Unum Join us as we head out this Friday, March 20th to the Cor Unum Meal Center in Lawrence, and serve meals for those less fortunate than ourselves. We leave St. John s parking lot at 3:30 PM and return by 7:30 PM. Contact Barbara at dwsmiths@comcast.net or at 978.649.6745 to sign up. BRING A FRIEND! VBF Planning Meeting TONIGHT! Sunday, March 15th in the OPC Library Thanks to you, we have traveled 378 of the 460 Move That Bus as of March 9 miles 82% of the way there!
page 5 March 15, 2015: Fourth Sunday of Lent U P C O M I N G P A R I S H E V E N T S Only Two Nights Left! Join us this Tuesday evening, March 17th, as Fr. Hal continues the Lenten Study of Lectio Divina. After this week, there is only March 24th left! See you in the Mariotti Room at 7:00 PM! The Light is on For You (Sacrament of Reconciliation) Wednesdays of Lent: March 18th & 25th 6:30-8:00 pm Soup and Stations Friday evenings during Lent March 20th & 27th Stations at 5:30, followed by a simple meal of soup and bread. Join us for this beautiful tradition. Fifth Annual Holy Thursday Pasta Dinner Our simple way of ending Lent and beginning the Three Sacred Days of Easter April 2nd from 5:30-6:30 PM followed by the Mass of the Lord s Supper at 7:00 PM You are invited to enjoy the Pasta cooking talents of our very own Muscato Family, followed by the Mass of the Lord s Supper and Washing of the Feet. PLEASE SIGN UP so we can be sure to have enough food for all. Menu includes pasta, garlic bread, salad and water (bring your own drink if you would like something other than water). Sign-Up sheets can be found in the Church vestibule. On Easter Morning, following the 8:30 AM Mass, our Annual Easter Egg Hunt will take place. All children are welcome to participate. Bring your own Easter Egg Basket! Wine, Women & Word Parish Calendar SUNDAY, MARCH 15TH NO COFFEE AND DONUTS TODAY! 9:30-11:00 AM: Grade K-6 Religious Education: NPC 9:30-11:30 AM: First Communion Breakfast: Hall 11:30-1:00 PM: Grade 7-8 Religious Education: NPC 11:30-1:15 PM: Confirmation: Hall 12:30 PM: African Liturgy: Church 6:00-8:00 PM: VBF Planning Committee: OPC MONDAY, MARCH 16TH 7:00 PM: Women s ACTS: OPC TUESDAY, MARCH 17TH 6:30 PM: Wine, Women & Word: OPC 7:00 PM: Lenten Bible Study: Mariotti WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18TH 4:15-5:30 PM: Grade 1-6 Religious Education: NPC 4:15-5:30 PM: First Communion Rehearsal: Church 6:30-8:00 PM: Confession: Church 7:00 PM: Men s ACTS: OPC THURSDAY, MARCH 19TH 10:00 AM: Charismatic Prayer Group: OPC 5:00 PM: MEN s ACTS Send Off: OPC 6:45 PM: BINGO (doors open at 3:00 PM): Hall FRIDAY, MARCH 20TH 3:30-7:30 PM: Cor Unum Trip 5:30 PM: Stations of the Cross (Church) followed by Soup (Hall) 6:30 PM: African Community Rosary: OPC SATURDAY, MARCH 21ST 3:00-3:45 PM: Confession: Church SUNDAY, MARCH 22ND NO COFFEE & DONUTS TODAY 9:30-11:00 AM: Grade K-6 Religious Education: NPC 9:30-10:00 AM: First Communion Rehearsal: Church 11:30 AM: Men s ACTS Return Reception: Hall 11:30-1:00 PM: Grade 7-8 Religious Education: NPC 11:30 AM: African Liturgy Committee Meeting: OPC The women of our parish are encouraged to join us THIS Tuesday, March 17th at 6:30 pm in the Old Parish Center for the sharing of our faith.
The Parish Family of Saint John the Evangelist, North Chelmsford, Massachusetts page 6 The Color Purple 40 Days for Life The 40 Days for Life Campaign is having a special event THIS Wednesday, March 18th! Afternoon of Prayer St. John the Evangelist Church, 110 Lincoln Avenue, Haverhill, MA 4:00-6:00 pm Begins with a Holy Hour for Life from 4:00 5:00, followed by a presentation by the Director of the Haverhill Pregnancy Care Center from 5:00-5:30, concluding with Stations of the Cross for Life until 6:00 pm Come help us bring our petition for the unborn to the Living Christ in prayer and thanksgiving. The liturgical color for Lent is purple, symbolizing pain, suffering and mourning. Purple was the most expensive color in biblical times. Extracted from a sea snail, it took as many as 12,000 shells to get enough dye to color a handkerchief. Because of the enormous cost, only the wealthiest wore purple garments. When soldiers mocked Jesus for being the King of the Jews, they put a purple robe on his shoulders to belittle his claim. Therefore, we use the color purple during Lent to remind us of the passion and death of our Lord. Looking for Experienced Caregiver for sweet, elderly, 91-year-old woman Qualifications/ Duties include, but not limited to... Provide companionship Prepare lunch, light housekeeping Need to be on call (may not be often) to serve as back-up when regular caregiver is unavailable Must reside locally But, why purple? If interested, please contact Camille at 978.250.1058. O P E N H O U S E Tuesday, March 24, 2015 The Theological Institute for the New Evangelization St. John s Seminary Laity, deacons and religious immerse themselves in the Catholic faith, prepare for service in parishes, learn to evangelize work, culture, family life and become better communicators of the truth of Christ Offering two degree programs: Master of Arts in Ministry Master of Theological Studies for the New Evangelization join us for evening prayer at 7:00 pm meet our faculty and students ask your questions during panel discussion learn about admissions and scholarships ** Summer courses begin May 25th RSVP to 617.779.4104 For additional program information, visit www.theologicalinstitute.org The Office of Spiritual Life and the Office of Health Care Ministry offer Regional Mornings and Afternoons of Prayer for Pastoral Visitors and Eucharistic Ministers to the Sick. St. Francis of Assisi, Dracut Saturday, March 28 10:00 am - 12:00 NOON Holy Family, Duxbury Saturday, April 18: 10:00 am - 12:00 NOON There is no charge for these days of prayer. You are welcome to attend any of them. To register, please call the Office of Spiritual Life at 617.779.3640 or email spiritual_development@rcab.org