APRIL 17, 2011 PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD S PASSION SATURDAY, April 16 4:00 PM Robert Peloquin by his wife and family SUNDAY, April 17 Palm Sunday 8:00 AM Parish family, living and deceased 9:30 AM Parish family, living and deceased 11:00 AM Parish family, living and deceased MONDAY, April 18 9:00 AM Frank Mellon by his wife Ellen & family TUESDAY, April 19 9:00 AM John & Aldina Santos by daughter & son-in-law WEDNESDAY, April 20 9:00 AM Mr. & Mrs. Dominic Troy by his family THURSDAY, April 21 Holy Thursday NO MORNING MASS TODAY 7:00 PM Mass of the Lord s Supper FRIDAY, April, 22 Good Friday 3:00 PM Stations of the Cross 7:00 PM Liturgy of the Passion SATURDAY, April 23 Holy Saturday NO AFTERNOON MASS AT 4:00 PM 8:00 PM Easter Vigil Mass SUNDAY, April 24 Easter Sunday The Resurrection of the Lord 8:00 AM Parish family, living and deceased 9:30 AM Parish family, living and deceased 11:00 AM Parish family, living and deceased April Memorial Candles Sanctuary Lamp in memory of the Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Kern by Elizabeth and Don Roussel Altar Candles in memory of Noel & Exerina Peloquin by Wanda Peloquin Tabernacle Candles in memory of Arthur & Marjorie Abrams by Yvette Abrams April 10, 2011 Collection Budget.$ 3,719.02 Second Collection: I.M.E...$ 1,438.70 REMINDER: The Collection on Good Friday will be for the Church in East & Central Europe and the Holy Land. Thank You to all who continue to Generously support our parish. Good Friday Fast and Abstinence No meat and one full meal for all between the ages 18 and 59 inclusive. All who have reached the 14th year are bound to abstain totally from meat D HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE Monday, April 19 th Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament after the 9:00 a.m. mass until 12 noon Wednesday, April 20th Stations of the Cross after the 9:00 a.m. mass. Thursday, April 21 st HOLY THURSDAY Please note: there is no 9 a.m. mass today Mass of the Lord s Supper at 7:00 p.m. Friday, April 22 nd GOOD FRIDAY Stations of the Cross at 3:00 pm. Liturgy of the Passion at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, April 23 rd HOLY SATURDAY Easter Vigil Mass at 8:00 p.m. Please note: there is no 4 p.m. mass today Sunday, April 24th EASTER SUNDAY Masses will be at 8:00. 9:30. and 11:00 a.m. PLEASE NOTE: During the HOLY TRIDUUM, (noon on Thursday to Monday) the parish office will be closed for business. Certainly, call for emergencies. ATTENTION: Altar Servers, Lectors, and Special Ministers of the Eucharist ~ Schedules for April 21, 2011 through August 14, 2011, are available in the Sacristy and may be picked up after Mass. If you notice that your name is not on the list, we made a few mistakes on the schedule, please let us know by calling the parish office. FAITH FORMATION In observance of Holy Week, all Faith Formation classes have been cancelled. Classes will resume next week on the usual day and time. MASS BOOK The Mass Book will be available to schedule masses for July through December, 2011. Mass dates can be scheduled on Tuesday s, Wednesday s & Thursday s between 10 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. beginning Tuesday, April 26 th by calling the parish office at 508-673- 2808. In order to accommodate everyone, we must limit the number of masses you can schedule to 6 masses (3 weekend and 3 weekday).
The 50 Week Club Banquet is Saturday, April 30, 2011 at Venus de Milo Restaurant. Social hour will be from 6 7 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. Music will be provided by the Mike Moran Band. If you have not been contacted for your dinner choice, call the parish office at 508-673-2808. Guest tickets will be $40.00 per person. If you wish to purchase guest tickets, contact Alice Lanczycki at 508-674-6202. Prayer Shawl Ministry The next workshop will be on Tuesday, April 19th at 1:30 p.m. in the church hall. Shawls, lap robes, and chemo caps are, as always, available for anyone in need of these items. If you have any questions, call Claire Morissette at 508-672-0104, or plan to participate in one of our workshops. All are welcome Knights of Columbus News The Grand Knight s Facts You Didn t Know Fact: At our last meeting on April 4 th, YOUR PARISH KNIGHTS had the honor of hosting a guest speaker, Jane Wilcox, a member of the steering committee of A Woman s Concern. This outstanding organization helps woman with difficult pregnancy choose LIFE. They offer many services that help woman make informed choices when it comes to the areas of pregnancy, parenting, different types of testing and much more. Beyond these benefits is the fact that their services are FREE!! This is yet another example of how your parish and the Knights of Columbus are reaching out to support the local community. Our membership is growing and along with it is the impact that your Knights of Columbus is having on OUR PARISH, COMUNNITY, and AND FAMILY!!! Don t miss out on this rewarding way to give back to your Church and community. For more information call Stephen Amaral at 508-567-1900 or better still attend our next meeting on Monday, April 18th at 7:00 in the parish hall and you can see for yourself. MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!! The next meeting will be held in the church hall on tonight, Sunday, April 17 th from 6 to 8 pm. Please contact Monica Valenti if you have any questions. All Grades 8 12 students are welcome. Bring a friend. DIOCESE OF FALL RIVER NEWS & EVENTS Chrism Mass Tuesday, April 19, 2011 4 p.m. at St. Mary Cathedral, 327 Second St., Fall River. Bishop Coleman will celebrate the Mass of Chrism, with the clergy of the Diocese concelebrating. During this Mass, the bishop blesses the oils that are used in the sacramental life of the Diocese throughout the year: Oil of Catechumens, Oil of the Sick, and Chrism. Chrism a mixture of olive oil and balsam- is used at baptism, ordination and the dedication of churches and altars. In the context of the Mass, priests of the Diocese will renew their commitment to service. All are invited to attend the Mass. Contact Office of Communications 508-675-0211 for more information. Adoption By Choice, a program of Catholic Social Services, will sponsor an adoption information session on Tuesday evening, April 19, 2011, from 6:30 8:30 p.m. at the Catholic Social Services central office, 1600 Bay St., Fall River. This session will be for individuals interested in adopting a domestic newborn or a child born in a foreign country. Handouts and refreshments will be available. There is no charge for this session. Please call CSS of at 508-674-4681 for information, to register and to receive directions. Registration is also available online at www.css.dioc.org Don t forget to take time to view our two new windows. One of St. Joseph with the child Jesus, and the other of St.Francis receiving the Stigmata. These windows were installed in the church this past Wednesday. St. Vincent de Paul Corner In Need of Assistance? Are you facing utility shutoffs and or high food bills? If you are a family in need of assistance, please contact the St. Francis Vincent de Paul Society at 508-673-2808.. A container for used clothing has been installed in the parking area behind the church. We encourage you to support the Saint Vincent de Paul Society by using this container to deposit used clothing, both reusable and not reusable. Missions for Humanity is a Diocesan group of medical and other volunteers that travel to Tanzania and Honduras (Guaimaca) to provide services to improve the health and welfare of our less fortunate brothers and sisters. Medical and dental clinics, education projects, construction projects and skills training are all part of the mission activities. To assist in these missions, the Saint Vincent de Paul Society will be collecting needed supplies during the
month of April. Make this a part of your Lenten sacrifices. The items that will be collected include unopened: Adult multivitamins, Tylenol, Children s chewable vitamins (not Gummy vitamins), Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, Infant vitamins, Anti-fungal cream, Eye drops, Antibiotic cream, Ibuprofen. Thank you for your help in this endeavor. The people of Honduras and Tanzania are truly grateful for whatever supplies they receive, large or small. On June 20 th, the first annual Saint Vincent de Paul Golf Tournament will be held at the Swansea Country Club. Proceeds from the tournament will be used to send children to Cathedral Camp. Sign up sheets with all the pertinent information, such as time, fees, prizes, etc. are available from any Saint Vincent de Paul member. Call your golfing friends, and invite them to take part in a worthy cause while ving a terrific day. See flyers at church entrances. Palm Sunday April 17, 2011 Second Isaiah used one of the Servant Songs to refer to his own ministry in today s First Reading, and Second Isaiah projected his message onto this unidentified leader (or group) who would bear the burden of leadership and judgment. Leadership made one open to criticism and judgment. The Servant would face both as part of God's plan. As long as the Servant remained true to his call, he would stand with honor before God, not before men. No wonder early Christians adopted the image of the Suffering Servant and applied it to Jesus! Has your leadership generated criticism? What happened? How has your faith sustained you through these times? Many psalms have a tension between the spirituality of the individual and the liturgy of the assembly. The individual can apply psalms to his or her life; the psalm can also represent the condition of the community. Psalm 22 is the paradigm of this tension. A personal song became a psalm of the assembly. But, with the Passion Narratives, the liturgical chant became intensely personal for Jesus of Nazareth. In nine different ways, images or lines from the psalm appear in the Passion. While Jews still apply the psalm to the entire nation, Christians apply it to one person. For Christians, Psalm 22 will forever be linked with Jesus on the cross. When we recite this psalm, we can identify our adversity with travails of our Savior. If He could remain faithful in the midst of His suffering, we, too, can face our trials with some hope. The tough times won t last forever. There is life after the experience of death. Despite despair, shame, and attack, we can look to Christ on the cross and gain strength. Reflect on the trials you ve faced this week. How have they encouraged or discouraged you? How has God used them to strengthen your faith? Our Second Reading brings to mind the following question: Why did the Christians sing this hymn? They worshiped and professed faith in Christ because of the selfgiving nature of their Savior and because of God's activity. The divine Son of God was humble in His birth and death. God was faithful to His Son and His followers. He gave both eternal life. How does Christ serve you? How does His service inspire you to worship God? How do you honor the name of Jesus? In today s Gospel we experience Jesus, as the suffering servant who brings God s love to the human family. The most powerful reason for Jesus death is to fill the human spirit with God s love. Out of death has come life, the wondrous paradox, which the world does not understand. Jesus not only died a cruel death to bring God s love to us, but He also suffered fear, terror, abandonment, and inner depression such as never had and never shall have an equal. He did this so that we too may persevere in pursuing divine love. Jesus human feelings left His entire heart exposed to sorrow and anguish. For this reason He cries out: My God, why have you forsaken me? Mount Calvary is the mount of lovers. All love that does not take its origins from the Savior s passion is foolish and perilous. On Calvary, we cannot have life without love. Nor can we have divine love without dying to our false loves. Christian wisdom consists in choosing rightly. Hence we ought to consecrate every moment of our lives to the eternal divine love of Our Savior s death. This means we must empty ourselves of all other loves that are destroying us so that we may be filled with God s eternal love that gives life! So when injured by others, look often with your inward eyes on Christ Jesus, crucified, forsaken and overwhelmed, by every kind of anguish. Then think of the many people who are incomparably more afflicted than you are and say: Are not my hardships roses in comparison with those, who without help, assistance, or relief live a continual death under the burden of afflictions infinitely greater than mine? When all things fail us, when our distress is at its height, say the final words of Jesus on the cross: Into Your hands I commend my spirit. Phil 2:6-11 Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
PARISH STAFF: Rev. Michael A. Ciryak, Pastor Nancy Storey, Faith Formation Coordinator Matthew Talbot, Confirmation Coordinator Nancy Storey, Office Manager Barbara Wenc, Bookkeeper Tony Roderigues, Building & Grounds Wayne Gray, Parish Council President Monica Valenti, Youth Ministry Monica Valenti, Cantor Richard Vincent, Organist Steven Raposo, Organist Lou Raposa, Music Leader at 9:30 Mass ADMINISTRATIVE: Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM 4:30 PM Rectory Address & Telephone Numbers: 270 Ocean Grove Avenue Swansea, MA 02777-1708 Telephone: 508-673-2808 Fax: 508-672-6241 TELEPHONE NUMBERS, EMAIL, & WEBSITE: Religious Education: 508-674-0024 / 508-673-2808 Youth Ministry: 508-673-2808 St. Vincent de Paul: 508-673-2808 Jim & Alice Lanczycki, 50 Week Club: 508-674-5202 E-Mail: nancy_storey@comcast.net E-Mail: stfrancisswansea@comcast.net Web Site: stfrancisswansea.com REGISTRATION: Welcome to New Parishioners If you are new in the parish, please introduce yourself after Mass. Please speak to our priest after Mass and fill out a form to register. Those moving from the Parish are asked to contact the rectory so that we may update our records. LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS: Weekends: Saturday Vigil: 4 PM Sunday: 8 AM, 9:30 AM, 11 AM Weekdays: Monday-Thursday: 9 AM Civic Holidays: 9 AM Only Eucharistic Adoration: As announced 7 PM SACRAMENTS BAPTISM: First Sunday of the month at 12:15 PM Baptismal arrangements must be made in advance. Please call the Parish Office Manager to arrange a date and supply pertinent information. Baptismal preparation class is required if this is your FIRST child or FIRST child being baptized at St. Francis of Assisi RECONCILIATION: Saturday 3 3:40 or please call the Rectory for an appointment FIRST EUCHARIST and CONFIRMATION: Two year preparation necessary. Please call the religious education office. MATRIMONY: Couples are asked to consult with our priest at least six months in advance of the intended date to allow adequate time for marriage preparation, including the Diocesan Preparation Program. 7HOLY ORDERS: If you (or someone you know) are thinking about life as a priest, deacon, or religious (man or woman) and would like to learn more, please contact a priest or call the Diocesan Vocations Office at 508-675-1311 or e-mail vocations@dioc-fr.org or www.fallrivervocations.org MINISTRY TO THE SICK: Please notify us if someone you know would like to receive the Sacrament of the Sick, or if someone is unable to come to Mass due to illness, handicap or age we are anxious to make sure they receive Communion regularly. Charlton and St. Ann Hospitals are visited regularly. MISSION STATEMENT: In the spirit of our patron, St. Francis of Assisi, we dedicate ourselves as living stones to building our parish family with Christ as our foundation. Enlivened by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves by sharing God s transforming love with our families, our community and our world. Church is handicapped accessible.
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI PARISH ~ SWANSEA, MA PALM SUNDAY APRIL 17, 2011 Though He was sinless, He suffered willingly for sinners. Though innocent, He accepted death to save the guilty. By His dying He has destroyed our sins. By His rising He has raised us up to holiness of life. From the Preface of Palm Sunday