St. Lawrence Catholic Church 158 West Street Essex Junction, Vermont 05452 Mailing Address For Our Parish: Holy Family/St. Lawrence Parish Office 4 Prospect Street Essex Junction, Vermont 05452 OUR MISSION STATEMENT Holy Family Catholic Church 36 Lincoln Street Essex Junction, Vermont 05452 As Catholics from the Essex area, we are proud to be parishioners of the Holy Family and St. Lawrence Faith Community. However, we are mindful that as disciples of Jesus, God calls us to ever deeper and further growth. Therefore, we have chosen to formally embrace the ideals of Christian Stewardship because we want our parishes to be more: prayerful /spiritual, dynamic /energetic, welcoming /inclusive, close knit /supportive, just /generous, and collegial /empowering. Rectory: 4 Prospect Street Essex Junction, VT 05452 Telephone: 878-5331 Fax: 878-5332 Email: Holyfamily2@comcast.net http://www.hfslvt.org Holy Family Sunday at 11:00 AM & 7:30 PM WEEKEND LITURGY St. Lawrence Saturday at 4:00 PM, Sunday at 8:00 AM Sacrament of Reconciliation - Saturday at St. Lawrence 3:15-3:45 pm. and By Appointment. Sacrament of Baptism - For children to be Baptized please call rectory to schedule meeting. Marriage - Make arrangement with the priest six months in advance. Pre-Cana instructions are necessary. Visits to Sick - Please inform rectory of any serious illness in family. New Parishioners - Please stop in or call the Rectory at your earliest convenience so we may meet you and have you register in our parish community. Food Shelf - Baskets are located at the front entrance of the church. Communion Calls for Shut-ins - Please notify the Rectory if anyone is unable to attend services because of illness, handicap or age. Holy Family Cemetery - For more information regarding plots at our Parish Cemetery, please call the Rectory Office. PARISH STAFF Pastor Rev. Charles H. Ranges, S.S.E. Secretary Monica Morano Office Hours: M, T & Th Director of Faith Formation Mr. John M. McMahon Pastoral Council Chairperson Rev. Charles H. Ranges, S.S.E. Finance Council Chairperson Bernard Couture
FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT February 22, 2015 Thanks to Cliff Hamel for creating a beautiful new stain glass which is close to the entrance to the sacristy at Holy Family Church. The window features the Edmundite cross and represents the present commitment of the Society of St. Edmund to serve the Catholic Community of Essex. Our Lenten Journey of Hope-Living into Christ has begun. Hopefully everyone has received Lenten material and is beginning the journey united with their parish community. Our Lenten button should remind us of our Lenten journey as a church traveling on an ark through Lent into the re-creation of Easter via the waters of Baptism. Our Operation Rice Bowl material allows us to connect our Lenten practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving to our concern for our brothers and sisters in need throughout the world. Our Word among Us booklet helps us stay united with the church as we mediate on the daily Scripture readings. Join us as together we journey in faith. The symbols for this First Sunday of Lent are sand and rocks representing the desert where Jesus was tempted. We are one with Him as we confront the evil around us and within us. Loving God, help us to remember the inherent dignity of all people. Like many farmers in Tanzania, Gertruda Domayo used to struggle to provide for her three grandchildren. Now she is a member of Soya ni Pesa, a Catholic Relief Services project that means soybeans are money. Through the project, Gertruda has learned that a few small changes can make a big difference. Crop spacing and fertilizer have doubled her harvests. Membership in the local farmers group gets her good prices at market which means a sixfold increase in family income. And the soybeans themselves add nutrients to the soil, fueling future harvests. For Gertruda and her grandchildren, that means more and better food. Best of all, Gertruda knows how to provide her family with a better life. Visit crsricebowl.org to watch a video and learn more about Tanzania Support for the weekend of February 15th, 2015. This weekend s second collection is for fuel, next weekend s second collection is for buildings & grounds. Thank you for your continued generosity and support! First Collection: $3339.76 Fuel: $10.00 Buildings & Grounds: $1045.46 Mass Stipends/Funeral Stipends/Candle: $335.00 Latin America: $27.00 Essex Eats Out: 254.60 Total : $5011.82 Capital Campaign: $1584.00* *Total includes EFT GUIDELINES FOR LENT The time of Lent is to be observed by Catholics as a special season of prayer, penance and works of charity. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, in particular, are the most important penitential days of the liturgical year. They are days of both fast and abstinence. All Fridays in Lent are days of abstinence. The rule of fasting states that only one full meal a day can be taken. Two small meals, "sufficient to maintain strength, are allowed, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals breaks the fast, but drinking liquids does not. The rule of fasting obliges all Catholics from 18 to 59. Abstinence refers to the eating of meat. The common estimation of the community is used to determine what falls under the category of meat. The rule of abstinence binds all Catholics 14 years or older. The substantial observance of the laws of fast and abstinence is a serious obligation. Self-imposed fasting on the other weekdays of Lent is recommended. Abstinence on all Fridays of the year is also highly recommended. Parents and teachers should see to it that, even those who are not bound by the laws of fast and abstinence because of age, are brought up in an atmosphere that is conducive to a sense of penance. Journey of Hope, Living into Christ
FAITH FORMATION NEWS John McMahon, Faith Formation Director 878-5331, X202, or john.mcmahon@hfslvt.org 1. 2014-2015 R.E. Program Information: Class Schedule: Classes Resume March 8th 2. Adult Faith Enrichment Sessions: Resume March 8th All who are interested in deepening their faith are invited to attend these sessions (they are not just for parents!). We meet in the library of the Parish Center. Currently, the group is exploring & discussing Pope Francis encyclical The Joy of the Gospel. Adult Sessions: Sundays /9:30-10:30AM 3. Next High School Youth Group Session: 6:30-8PM /Tuesday, February 24 @ SL Rectory VT Christian Music will kick-off the 2015 season with our very first ever Rock 'N Worship Night on February 28th, 2015 7pm at the Community Bible Church, South Burlington, VT. Featuring the New England modern rock worship group the Andy Needham Band (seen at the 2014 VT Christian Rocktoberfest), with Jaime Jamgochian, a worship artist with a focus on helping teen girls realize their beauty in modesty, and our own Joe Frey, who can call the Green Mountain State his home! These wonderful artists will surprise and inspire you with their cool beats, sweet vocals and witness to God. Tickets going for $10-$20/ each. Informationand tickets available at www.vtchristianmusic.com. LENTEN MISSION with BISHOP COYNE Bishop Coyne will be leading us in a Lenten Mission on Wednesday March 4 at 7:00 pm in the Chapel of Saint Michael the Archangel at Saint Michael's College. 4. Upcoming Children s & Youth Liturgies: Sun., Mar. 8: 11AM Mass @ HF (1st Grade) Upcoming 10th Grade Confirmation Interviews: All interviews will be held at the Holy Family Rectory. At least one parent /guardian is asked to join the confirmation candidate for the interview. Check with John for more details. Mon., Feb. 23: 10AM-1PM Mon., Mar. 9: 5-7PM 5. Upcoming Children s RCIA Program: Mon., Mar 2 /6-7:30PM @ HFSL Parish Center Mon., Mar. 23 /6-7:30PM @ HFSL Parish Center Mon., Mar. 30 /6-7:30PM @ HFSL Parish Center THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Saturdays 3:15 to 3:45pm St. Lawrence Saturdays 3:30 to 4:00pm St. Pius X or for an appointment call Fr. Ranges at 878-5331 Our Communal Penance Service will be held at St. Lawrence on Thursday, March 26th at 7:00pm. Come as a family and join us for this celebration of the Sacrament before Easter. FRIDAY EVENING LENTEN PRAYER SERVICES February 20 ~HF~ Sta ons of the Cross February 27 ~HF~ Sta ons of the Cross * March 6 ~SP~ Children s Sta ons * March 13 ~HF~ Sta ons of the Cross (EEO)* March 20 ~SP~ Taize Prayer * March 27 ~HF~ Shadow Sta ons of the Cross* *Soup Suppers will begin at 6:00 pm in the Church Hall followed by Prayer in the Church at 7:00 pm. Message from Pope Francis: In his Lenten message for 2015, Pope Francis asks us to be firm against indifference (see Jas 5:8) and Stop by the CD and book display at the main door of church, to seek a heart that is merciful, attentive and generous. Embrace and pick up some CDs, books, and booklets to enrich your his call to mercy by reaching out to those in need. Be attentive to the Lenten journey. See the many new titles that can help deepen your Lenten call to prayer and be generous with your time and treasure. prayer life and knowledge of our beautiful Catholic Faith, and most especially, love for our Lord Jesus Christ. Have a blessed journey! FOOD FOR YOUR LENTEN JOURNEY
Parish Calendar February 2015 Daily Mass celebrated at 8:30am Monday through every First Saturday at HF Church Friday and Sunday, February 22nd No Religious Education Classes this weekend-classes Resume March 8th Tuesday, February 24th: 6:00pm 8:00pm Adoration at Holy Family Church 6:30pm-8:00pm Youth Group @ SL Rectory Wednesday, February 25th 9:00 Cenacle of Life Prayer Group-following morning Mass at HF Thursday, February 26th: 9:00am Divine Mercy Chaplet prayed following morning Mass Friday, February 27th: 5:30pm-7:00pm Essex Eats Out hosted at Essex United Methodist Church, -for a ride call Dawn at 878-7622 by Thursday at 9AM 6:00pm Soup Supper in Parish Hall followed by Stations 7:00PM Stations of the Cross-HF Church Week 1 - February 22: Genesis 9:8-17; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:9-15 Sacredness and Dignity of the Human Person When God created us, he made us in his image and likeness. That means that every human being has a special value and purpose. We need to care for each other so that we can be the people that God calls us to be. God never leaves us. He created each of us as unique, valuable persons and works actively in our lives, desiring that we grow closer to him. How has God been at work in our lives during these first days of Lent? Today's readings show us that God gives tangible reminders of his committed love and his desire to be present to us: the rainbow after the flood, Jesus' preaching, the waters of Baptism. How do we act as tangible reminders of God's love, especially to those who are most in need? This week's CRS Rice Bowl Story of Hope takes us to Tanzania, where we are reminded of the important role a community can play in supporting an individual's work. This takes trust and commitment-- two themes apparent in today's readings. Am I committed to myself, my God and my neighbor? How do I show this trust and commitment, and where is there room for growth? God all people, We offer you our Lenten journey. May we learn to walk as one human family, remembering in a special way those who are poorest and most in need. Bless our prayers, our fasting, and our Lenten gifts. Through these actions, we show our love for your Son, Jesus, and answer your call to love one another. Amen.
Sanctuary Candle Intention St. Lawrence Church February 22nd February 28th For: Joseph & Jeanette Normandin Belated Valentine Day Wishes Love your daughter, Jackie Sanctuary Candle Intention Holy Family Church February 22nd -February 28th For: Holy Family/ Saint Lawrence/ St Pius X Parishioners All Weekday Masses are celebrated at Holy Family Church at 8:30AM Saturday, February 21st: 4:00pm Audry Lahue, by the Walsh Family Sunday, February 22nd: 8:00am Goody Goodrow, by the Family 11:000am George Cameron by Ann and Dave Robideau 7:30pm Holy Family/ Saint Lawrence/ St Pius X Parishioners Monday, February 23rd : 8:30am Anne Cusson, by her Mother Tuesday, February 24th: 8:30am Imogene Roddy Colling, by Lefty Wednesday, February 25th: 8:30am David Blanchette, by Tom & Therese Thursday, February 26th: 8:30am Eleanor Beauregard, by Leo Paul Friday, February 27th: 8:30am Gregory Tyler, by Lilly Ramsey Saturday, February 28th: 4:00pm Raymond Beauchemin, by the Family Sunday, March 1st: 8:00am Goody Goodrow, by the Family 11:00am Fred Dirmaier by his loving wife Colette 7:30pm Holy Family/St. Lawrence/St. Pius X Parishioners O Lord, grant those who have died the joy of Your Presence, and us who are living the happiness of knowing this. http:// www.2heartsnetwork.org/deceased.htm