The Catholic Church of the Nativity 5955 St. Elmo Road Bartlett, TN 38135 Parish Office Hours: Mon Fri 8:30am to 5:00pm Phone 901-382-2504 April 8, 2018 Emergency Phone 901-603-3364 Parochial Administrator: Father Robert Szczechura, STL robert.szczechura@cc.cdom.org Parochial Vicar: Fr. Cosmas Mabu cosmas.mabu@nativity.cdom.org Deacons: Frank Larker frank.larker@nativity.cdom.org Chris Frame chris.frame@paxdomini.org David Rosenthal, PhD david.rosenthal@nativity.cdom.org Administrative Assistant: Angie 0 Neill angie.oneill@nativity.cdom.org Director of Music: Scott Elsholz, DM scott.elsholz@nativity.cdom.org Director of Religious Education: Theresa Krier theresah.krier@nativity.cdom.org Director Youth Ministry: Stephen Peyton stephen.peyton@nativity.cdom.org Co-Directors Hispanic Ministry: Lyz Candia and Lillian Luciano clyzcan@yahoo.com, 901-607-5982 Bookkeeper: nativity.accounting@nativity.cdom.org Mass Schedules Daily Monday - Saturday 8:00 a.m. Weekend Saturday Vigil 5:00 p.m. Sunday 8:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m Spanish 5:00 pm Filipino First Sunday of Each Month (Tagalog/English) 12:30 p.m. Holy Days As Announced Sacraments Reconciliation Saturday 3:30p.m. to 4:30pm Sunday 9:30am to 10:00am or by appointment.. Baptism by appointment; please contact the parish office Marriage Contact the parish office at least six months before the wedding BULLETIN DEADLINE: NOON WEDNESDAY E-mail: nativity.bulletin@hotmail. com
April 7 & 8, 2018 Mass Intentions 8:00am Weekdays Requested By Mon 9th Tom Head + Pat Fitzgerald Tue 10th Jerry & Donna Lampen 41st Anniversary The Lampen Family Wed 11th Betty Campos + The Morning Group Thur 12th Evelyn Hyde + George & Eileen Kuehl Fri 13th Betty Campos + Jane G. Mayer 8:00am Saturday Apr 7th Stephen Cookdale + The Kuehl & Robertson Families Apr 14th Kristy Lampen + Jerry & Donna Lampen 5:00pm Saturday Apr 7th Martha & Willis Chambliss + Apr 14th Max Burdette + The Schwill Family Rosemarie von Cannon 8:00am Sunday Apr 8th Honey Lou Walker+ Jackie Raney Apr. 15th Ruth Jackson + Fr. Robert & Staff 10:30am Easter Sunday Apr 8th Parishioners Apr 15th Parishioners READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Is 7:10-14; 8:10; Ps 40:7-11; Heb 10:4-10; Lk 1:26-38 Tuesday: Acts 4:32-37; Ps 93:1-2, 5; Jn 3:7b-15 Wednesday: Acts 5:17-26; Ps 34:2-9; Jn 3:16-21 Thursday: Acts 5:27-33; Ps 34:2, 9, 17-20; Jn 3:31-36 Friday: Acts 5:34-42; Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14; Jn 6:1-15 Saturday: Acts 6:1-7; Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19; Jn 6:16-21 Sunday: Acts 3:13-15, 17-19; Ps 4:2, 4, 7-9; 1 Jn 2:1-5a; Lk 24:35-48 Please Pray for Our Sick Claire Fitzgerald Albino Erlinda Amaba Vinnie Ariemmo Bill Brigrance Tina Burton Bill Coburn Joan Cunningham Sally Gyout Emilie Harris Barry Houston Catherine Johnson Louis J. Lenti Ed List Annie Longoria Dianne Mc Call Paul Baker Miller Fr. Mike Morgera Julia Moseley Shirley Odom John & June Patton A.J. Perk Kevin Perk Fr. Robert Ponticello Karen Raney Maria Robertson Jim Shaw Sam Sudduth Mary Terrell Josie & Joe Tighe Melissa Frame Vannucci Joyce R. West Barbara Williams Bob Williams Jack Lee Windley III Ann Wingate If you or a family member are hospitalized, please notify the Parish office. Notify the office to ADD or REMOVE someone s name from the list. Pray for Our Troops Lance Corporal Mark Earnest; Senior Airman Christopher Dill; Pvt. John David Dill; A1C Ryan C. Marlin; AO1 Andrew E. Hopson; Commander Derek A. Vestal, Pvt. Maria Witges, Captain Luke Sauber (USMC), Lieutenant Colonel Christopher J. Martindale U.S. Army, Richard A. Martin, Jr., BM1, (USCG) Captain Tami Kerns (US Army-Afghanistan) Captain Kevin Kerns (US Army- Hawaii) Captain Nicholas Burton. SSG. Carol Hopson Please keep the nuns of the Monastery of St. Clare in your prayers Thank you! SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: Second Sunday of Easter (or ); Julian Calendar Easter Monday: The Annunciation of the Lord Wednesday: St. Stanislaus Thursday: Yom Ha-Shoa (Holocaust Remembrance Day) Friday: St. Martin I TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION Sometimes children acquire nicknames in childhood that stalk them through adulthood: Pinky, Boo-boo, and the like. This Sunday was once called Low Sunday, a step down from Easter glory, and an unfortunate nickname since Easter rejoicing goes on for fifty days. Traditionally this is the day when the newly baptized put away their white baptismal robes and returned to their everyday life after a week of intense celebration. Of course, the goal was to take up everyday duties with a very new point of view. A long title for the day was Dominica in albis deposito, or The Lord s Day for Putting Away the Albs, so no wonder the nickname Low Sunday arose. In the old calendar it was also called Quasimodo Sunday, after the first word of the opening chant, Quasimodo geniti infantes, or As newborn infants, a reference to the newly baptized taken from the Epistle of Peter. Victor Hugo s bell-ringing hero in The Hunchback of Notre Dame was abandoned as an infant on the threshold of the cathedral of Paris on Low Sunday, 1467, and named Quasimodo for the feast. Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co.
From the Desk of Father Robert - Saint Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938) was a nun of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Lodz, Poland. She received messages from The Lord in the early 1930 s expressing His desire to extend mercy upon humanity. He requested she write these messages down and these writings are now compiled in Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul. In 1931, Jesus appeared to St. Faustina in a beautiful vision and commissioned that an image be painted of Himself. Paint an image according to the pattern you see, with the signature: Jesus I Trust in You. I desire that this image be venerated, first in your chapel, and throughout the whole world. I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish. I also promise victory over enemies here on earth, especially at the hour of death. I myself will defend it as My own glory. (Diary 47,48) The vision painted was of Jesus clothed in a white garment. Walking forward with His face tender and compassionate. His right hand raised in a blessing and His left hand touched His heart where two large rays came out, one red and other pale. The red represents the Blood of Jesus and life. The pale/white represents the Water of righteousness and cleanliness. These rays of grace are a vessel through which all can receive Divine Mercy especially through the Sacraments of Baptism/ Penance and Eucharist. Even the most hardened sinner can receive forgiveness by Trusting in Jesus. Let us all turn willingly and trustingly to Our Lord and venerate His Divine Mercy Image, especially on this Divine Mercy Sunday. And as we enter His heart of mercy, let us extend that mercy, love and peace to others. And to the whole world. This vessel of grace is beautifully prayed in the Chaplet of Divine Mercy: Oh Blood and Water which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus, I Trust in You!
April 7 & 8, 2018 Nativity Ministries Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Sundays: ages 3 yrs to 12 yrs, Confirmation 1 and 2 ; Contact Theresa Krier, PRE Director theresah.krier@nativity.cdom.org. Class times are posted on the Web site: nativitybartlett.org/calendar/ Cub Scouts Troop 258:Cub Scouts meet on most Tuesdays from 6:30 to 7:30pm either at the church or on adventures. Contact Mark Owens to register at markfowens@att.net or 901-827-1262. RCIA CLASSES Meet Wednesdays from 6:00pm to 7:30pm in the portable CYO 9-12 Grade Sundays from 6-8 pm Stephen Peyton, youth director stephen.peyton@nativity.cdom.org Fishers of Men: Saturdays, 8:30-9:30am Former Day Chapel Hands for God Puppet Productions: Most Sundays, 12-1 pm: For 5th-8th grade Puppeteers in Training; Contact John Walton 901-568-0910 or email nativitycats@aol.com. For updates go to: www.facebook.com/groups/830749576971608/ Helping Hands Ministry Knitting Group: meet the 1st & 3rd Thursdays at 9 am in the Narthex. They help the homeless and Birthright babies Holy Family Ministry: for information contact David Rosenthal, PhD at david.rosenthal@nativity.cdom.org Knights of Columbus Council 14041: most 4th Thursdays at 6:30pm in Stelling Hall; contact Gerry Fitzgerald at (901) 319-7385 or gfitzgerald65@bellsouth.net Liturgical Ministries: for information or questions regarding training or scheduling contact Jim Lippy 388-6515 or 371-6269 or the Church Office 901-382-2504 Men s Club: Breakfast Meeting 1st Sat. of each Month 9 am Prison Ministry: for information contact Shellie Teems, 901-230-0074 Parish Outreach Food for the Sick: Contact Susan Hanna at 385-8277 or savhan@aol.com for information. Sewing Group: Most Sundays, 1-4 in Stelling Hall or the old Day Chapel; Sewing Albs for the Altar Servers & MCs. Bring your sewing machine, serger or your desire to cut or iron! Stay as long as you can. Society of St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen: 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month: Meet at church at 8 am for carpooling: Contact John Walton, 901-568-0910 for info. Come be a part of our thriving music ministry and help Nativity to make a joyful noise! There are many opportunities for involvement, and no experience is required. Talk to Scott Elsholz after Mass or email scott.elsholz@nativity.cdom.org. ALL are welcome. Our Ensembles Parish Choir The Parish Choir is open to all parishioners from 15-105. The ensemble rehearses every Wednesday from 7:30-9pm, and sings every Sunday for the 10:30 Mass, in addition to solemnities and other high holy days. Children s Choir The Children s Choir is open to all kids grades 2-9 and rehearses every Wednesday from 5-5:45pm. The ensemble sings about once a month for the 10:30 Mass. The kids learn the music for Mass, of course, but they also learn proper vocal technique, musical literacy, sight singing, and musical and church history. Handbell Choir The Handbell Choir is open to all parishioners 15-105 and rehearses every Wednesday from 6-6:50pm. The bells play about every six weeks, and members learn about music, handbell technique, and have an overall good time! A little bit of prior musical experience is helpful but not required. Resurrection Choir The Resurrection Choir is open to all parishioners 15-105 and rehearses two Tuesdays per month from 10-11:30am. A unique ministry in our Diocese, this ensemble sings for all parish funerals, and also sings once a month for 5 pm Saturday Mass. Cantors Our cantors are the most visible members of Nativity s music ministries. We strive to have a cantor lead the music for every Mass. Musical literacy and competency is required to serve as a cantor, and Dr. Scott is happy to work with individuals who TOPS - Take off the Pounds Sensibly: meet Mondays at 4:15-5:00pm for weigh-in; 5-6pm meetings in Stelling Hall. Women s Guild: meets the 4th Tuesday at 7 pm the months of January, March, May, September and November. ~~~Pray for World
Diocese Information Women of all parishes are welcome to the Women s Weekend Retreat April 13-15, 2018 Do you need a weekend away a weekend with no commitments? Would you like a forty eight hour break in your life where the only expectation is to show up and let God do the rest? Come to Our Lady Queen of Peace Retreat Center for a Women s weekend retreat April 13-15, 2018. The retreat theme is: Christ s Farewell Gift. This year s theme will focus on the sustaining gift of peace that passes human understanding. It is a gift that is not dependent on circumstances but on the promises of the Trinity itself. Retreats begin Friday evening with dinner at 6:30 and conclude with lunch on Sunday. Suggested offering: $200 per single occupancy, $170 per double occupancy, or $80.00 for Saturday only. Register online: www.olqpretreats.com or call 731-548- 2500. Mid-South Area Association of Catholic Nurses Spring Meeting Tuesday, April 17 th 6:00 8:00 PM, Catholic Center Experience St. Benedict Spring Fling, Thur, Apr. 12, 4:30pm. A campus-wide showcase of academics, fine and performing arts (exhibit and musical), athletics (spring sports in action) and campus tours. For information Sharon Masterson, Director Communications & Sports Information St. Benedict at Auburndale High School 8250 Varnavas Drive Cordova, TN 38016 260-2871, mastersons@sbaeagles.org St. Benedict High School presents the whimsical musical, Big Fish, Thur- Tues, April 12-17, 7pm each night. Big Fish is a heartfelt, powerful and truly magical musical about fathers, sons and the stories that we use to define our identities. It s a magnificent big fish of a tale, itself -- spectacular, fantastical and overflowing with love. Reserved seat tickets $10.00 in advance, $15.00 at the door. Call 260-2840 or visit sbaeagles.org. Presentation by Deacon Jack Conrad on Clinical Bioethics and Church Directives: Dealing with Ethics in Today s World as a Catholic 1.5 Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) hours has been approved for full participation through VA Medical Center. The VAMC Memphis is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center s Commission on Accreditation. Please R.S.V.P. to Lou Ellen McElmurry, MSAACN President louellen3@bellsouth.net (901) 794-4555 Mid-South Area Association of Catholic Nurses Spring Meeting Tuesday, April 17th 6:00 8:00 PM, at the Catholic Center Presentation by Deacon Jack Conrad on Clinical Bioethics and Church Directives: Dealing with Ethics in Today s World as a Catholic Nursing credit 1.5 Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) hours has been approved for full participation through VA Medical Center. The VAMC Memphis is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center s Commission on Accreditation. Evening begins with a potluck dinner. Bring a dish to share. Please R.S.V.P. to Lou Ellen McElmurry, MSAACN President louellen3@bellsouth.net (901) 794-4555 WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER Are we like Thomas and doubt the power of God in our marriage? Learn the tools to put God in your Sacrament of Marriage. The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend is 1-3 June 2018 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Retreat Center in Stanton, TN. For more information or to apply, visit our website at http:// www.memphiswwme.org or contact us at 901-409-4570.
April 7 & 8, 2018 Nativity Information Save a date! We shall have the photographers at Nativity for our new parish directory on the following dates and times. Everyone who participates will receive a free 8 x 10 picture. April 7th & 21st from 10am to 5pm April 8th, Divine Mercy Sunday We will have Exposition and praying of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy in the Sanctuary from 3 to 3:30pm April 16th thru 20th from 2pm to 9pm If you don t have a computer, someone will be available in the Narthex after each Mass to receive your information. Volunteers are needed to help during the photo sessions. The sign up sheet is located in the Narthex. For questions, contact Rhonda Wallace @ 651-7090 or Gragg Higginbotham @ 901-493-9059. Nativity's next Lifeblood Drive is in 3 weeks, April 29th, following 10:30 Mass, from 12noon to 3pm. Every 2 seconds, someone, somewhere needs blood. Why not give donating a try and see how good it feels to save a life? (itsasecret_3@hotmail.com--janet Sutton) Give blood. Give life. Take off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) Do you need to lose a few pounds? If so come and join our TOPS chapter. We meet in Stelling Hall on Mondays with weigh-in from 4:15 to 5:00pm. Meetings are from 5:00-6:00pm. See you there! BISHOPS ANNUAL APPEAL Thanks to all our parishioners who have made their gift to the 2018 Bishop s Appeal. Nativity is 76% ($27,042) towards our goal of $35,500. of which 119 families have participated. If you have not yet made a gift or pledge, please fill out a commitment card and drop it in the collection basket, bring to the office or mail it. Please participate in the support of our diocesan church. ST. VINCENT de PAUL Our Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference is an active and viable part of the Bartlett/Raleigh community. The need for assistance is great, please donate to this worthwhile organization at anytime throughout the year by going to the webpage and donating through our Online Giving option and selecting the St. Vincent de Paul button. If you so choose, you can help offset the processing fees by selecting that option as well. Thank you for your continued and generous support of Nativity's St. Vincent de Paul Conference. April 15 th 1-4 p.m. St Vincent de Paul 30th Anniversary and Open House at Memphis Ozanam Center 1306 Monroe Avenue Memphis, Tn. The SVdP Ozanam Center feeds 150-250 of God s people 365 days a year. Bring friends and family. Refreshments provided. To learn more, go to http://www.svdpmemphis.org. To volunteer and help, go to http://www.svdpmemphis.org/ howtohelp.html. Soup Kitchen Information Volunteers meet at 8 am at Nativity on the 1st & 3rd Tuesday (new schedule) of each month. If you would like to volunteer, there is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board in Baker Hall. If you want more information, please call John Walton 901-568-0910. The next Soup Kitchen is Tuesday, April 17th.
Offerings for of March, 2018 3rd Week - Regular collections: $7,715 Cor Unum: $5,024 4th Week - Regular Collection: $7,230 Cor Unum: $3,011 Month to Date: Regular Collection $34,276 (Budget $39,633) Cor Unum $13,496 (Budget $15,000) 2nd Collection Next Week April 15th - Cor Unum 2 Corinthians 9:7: Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Online Giving: To set up a recurring giving schedule, visit us online at www.nativitybartlett.org, locate the Online Giving button and set up your recurring giving schedule. The first time you give, you will select a password that will enable you to log in at any time and make changes to your giving or view your complete online giving history for Online Giving Scheduling Events at the Church Our parish is very busy and we receive many requests to use meeting spaces and the church grounds. Please contact Deacon Frank Larker at 382-2504 to schedule your event. All requests should be scheduled as far in advance as possible. Those who use our facility are responsible for setup and clean-up. You must notify the office if your event is cancelled or if you need to reschedule. You cannot reschedule an event WITHOUT contacting the office. Rescheduling your event without contacting the office leads to conflicts with others who went through the proper channel to schedule their event. So, please be considerate. Thank You! Bulletin Information To View the Bulletin online go to https://www.facebook.com/ nativitybartlett/ or to https://www.nativitybartlett.org. Go to nativitybartlett.org/calendar/ for scheduled present/future events. 7th 8:30am Fishers of Men 9:00am Men s Club 10:00am Photos - Parish Directory 8th Noon Puppet Practice 1:00pm Sewing Albs 3:00pm Divine Mercy with Exposition 3:00pm Social for People with Disabilities 6:00pm CYO 9th 4:30pm TOPS 10th 5:30pm Boy Scouts 11th 5:00pm Children s Choir Practice 6:00pm Bell Choir 6:00pm Novena to Our Lady 7:00pm Cantor Practice 7:30pm Adult Choir Practice 12th 13th 14th 15th Noon Puppet Practice 1:00pm Sewing Albs 6:00pm CYO 16th 17th 18th No Events Listed 6:00pm Spanish Dance Practice 8:30am Fishers of Men 2:00pm Photos - Parish Directory 4:30pm TOPS 10:00am Resurrection Choir Practice 2:00pm Photos - Parish Directory 5:30pm Boy Scouts 7:00pm SVdP 2:00pm Photos - Parish Directory 5:00pm Children s Choir Practice 6:00pm Bell Choir 6:00pm Novena to Our Lady 7:00pm Cantor Practice 7:30pm Adult Choir Practice 19th 9:00am Helping Hands 2:00pm Photos for Parish Directory 20th 2:00pm Photos for Parish Directory 6:00pm Spanish Dance Practice 21st 8:30am Fishers of Men 10:00am Photos for Parish Directory 1:00pm First Communion Retreat 6:00pm Murder Mystery Party HAS SOMETHING CHANGED???? Keep your Information Current If your phone number, work number, cell number, address, e-mail address, or name changes, please notify the office 382-2504. Thank-you! ANNOUCEMENTS TO BE MADE AT MASS BY FATHER NEED TO BE SENT TO ANGIE O NEILL BY NOON Thurs. Become a member of Formed, it is FREE. You can view e-books, movies, audio books, audio bible, testimonies, inspiring talks and video studies to enhance your knowledge of the teachings of the Catholic Church. To set-up an account go to formed.org. then follow the instructions. Nativity's code is MV3JPX (all caps).