ST. MICHAEL CATHOLIC CHURCH P.O. Box 6310 Fernandina Beach, FL 32035 corner of North Fourth & Broome Streets 904-261-3472
SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME FEBRUARY 26, 2017 DON T BE ANXIOUS People have, it seems, a natural penchant for misplaced emphasis on unimportant things. They can easily get caught up with what they re having for dinner or what they will wear. Often it is a tragedy that helps people to refocus on what is really important. What I shall wear is an irrelevant question when I am facing surgery or chemotherapy. What s for dinner is immaterial to those living through grief or unemployment. In today s Gospel, Jesus tells us not to worry. He doesn t say, Don t eat. Don t cook. Don t buy clothes. He says, Don t worry. Jesus asks us not to relinquish our responsibilities but to let go of our anxiety. Anxiety betrays a lack of trust and Jesus reminds us that Your heavenly Father knows all that you need (Matthew 6:32). TODAY S READINGS First Reading God will never forget you (Isaiah 49:14-15) Psalm Rest in God alone, my soul (Psalm 62). Second Reading Make no judgments; the Lord will judge (1 Corinthians 4:1-5). Gospel God feeds the bird and clothes the flowers. Do not be anxious; God knows all your needs (Matthew 6:24-34). READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Sir 17:20-24; Ps 32:1-2, 5-7; Mk 10:17-27 Tuesday: Sir 35:1-12; Ps 50:5-8, 14, 23; Mk 10:28-31 Wednesday: Jl 2:12-18; Ps 51:3-6ab, 12-14, 17; 2 Cor 5:20 6:2; Mt 6:1-6, 16-18 Thursday: Dt 30:15-20; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Lk 9:22-25 Friday: Is 58:1-9a; Ps 51:3-6ab, 18-19; Mt 9:14-15 Saturday: Is 58:9b-14; Ps 86:1-6; Lk 5:27-32 Sunday: Gn 2:7-9; 3:1-7; Ps 51:3-6, 12-13, 17; Rom 5:12-19 [12, 17-19]; Mt 4:1-11 GOOD TIMING The best time to do something worthwhile is between yesterday and tomorrow. Anonymous TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION By the early 1950s some scholars were calling for the restoration of Communion of the faithful on Good Friday, since by then only a priest received, consuming the host from the Holy Thursday repository. In 1955 the new Good Friday liturgy was timed to begin at three o clock everywhere, and included the option of Holy Communion, but without the Precious Blood that had originally been part of the liturgy. Today, there is increasing debate among theologians. Some feel that it would be better to fast from the Eucharist on Good Friday, focusing on the mystery of the cross and highlighting the Easter Communion. Others say that this Communion infuses the sadness of the day with awareness of Christ s victory. It is not a day of mourning, of course, and the Passion according to John grounds the liturgy in a sense of Christ s victory over death and the triumph of the cross. The tradition is rich and varied, and we are still in the early stages of recovering an ancient way of doing things. Why do we call the day Good? The English and Dutch languages share this name, and its origin stems from the name God s Friday. The traditional name for the day in Latin is Feria VI in Parasceve, which translates as The Sixth Day of the Week of Preparation. Other languages make do with Holy Friday. In another part of England, as in Denmark, the people used to call it Long Friday, a good description for a quiet day without
MARCH 5, 6, 7, 8, 2017 Nationally acclaimed author and speaker, Fr. Jeff Kirby will present the 2017 Parish Mission at St. Michael, March 5th thru Wednesday, March 8th. Fr. Kirby is a Catholic priest of the Diocese of Charleston SC and shepherds two parishes in northcentral S.C. We are very fortunate to have Fr. Kirby present the mission and encourage all parish families, including youth, to enhance their Lenten preparation by attending all programs. The parish Mission 2017 program will be held in the church twice daily, 8:30am and 6:00pm. A unique program will be presented at each session. A Penance Service, in lieu of Mass, will be held on Tuesday evening. CONFIRMATION Please pray for our students who will be confirmed by Bishop Estevez on Saturday, March 4th. May they be sealed with the Holy Spirit. CONFIRMATION GIFTS In addition to our regular inventory items, gift items and cards for the celebration of Confirmation are available in our Gift Shop. We continue to introduce new and unique items so come and visit us. HOURS OF OPERATION Sunday: 9:00AM to 1.30PM Wednesday: 10:00AM to 4:00PM Thursday: 10:00AM to 4:00PM Friday: 11:00AM to 3:00PM Saturday: 4:30PM to 6:30PM KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Members of the Knights of Columbus Council 14295 - the monthly meeting will be held at 6:30 PM (Note New Time) on Thursday March 9. The meeting will take place in the St. Michael's Parish Hall. ONE FAITH, ONE FAMILY, TRUST IN THE LORD A Time for Action This week, we hope you will make a prayerful decision to pledge a gift to the 2017 Bishop s Annual Stewardship Appeal. The theme of the Appeal, One Faith, One family Trust in the Lord is a call to action for each of us. Stewardship begins with recognizing that everything around us is a gift from God. As good stewards of our gifts, we learn that giving and sharing those gifts is an active response of thanksgiving; one that serves to bring the light of Christ and His message of hope and salvation to all we encounter. Stewardship is an act of faith, and should be at the heart of our lives as faithful members of the Church. It means we are ready to recognize all we have and all we are is a gift from God. How will you respond to all of the gifts He has given to you? Today when you receive an envelope during Mass, please make a pledge if your circumstances allow. Your gift should be something in addition to what you give to your parish. Every gift is important and as one large family, we can do so much more! If you received your pledge form in the mail, and have already returned it, thank you! Thank you or your prayerful consideration and generous response! STEWARDSHIP PRAYER Heavenly Father, Your compassion is great. Help us in our works of mercy of feeding the poor in charity, teaching the faith in our schools, spreading the Good News, and supporting our seminarians, future ministers of your Son s love and forgiveness. We ask this in the Spirit, and through Christ our Lord. Amen
GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS OFFERING! Registered Families 1633 February 19, 2017 Offertory $19,885.88 On Line Offertory 764.00 Children s Collection 30.50 Debt Reduction 533.00 On Line Debt Reduction 25.00 The SECOND COLLECTION next weekend, March 4/5th will be for the Eastern European Churches. LENT You are reminded of the Church s laws for fast and abstinence during Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, March 1, 2017.Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fasting and abstinence. Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 are permitted one full meal and two lesser meals per day (which together should not equal one full meal) with no eating between meals. Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence. Catholics who are 14 years or older should abstain from meat entirely. Soups and gravies made from meat are permitted MASSES ON ASH WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1st, ARE: 8:30AM, 12:00 NOON, 6:00PM. STATIONS OF THE CROSS BEGIN FRIDAY, MARCH 3rd, AT 6:00PM. BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND FRIDAY LENTEN FISH DINNERS Please mark your calendars now and plan to attend the Lenten Fish Dinners offered again this year in our Parish Hall. The dates are: March 10th, March 17th, March 24th, March 31st and April 7th. The dinner will NOT be available on Good Friday, April 14th. Following the Stations of the Cross in church, you may purchase your tickets at our parish hall when you go to the hall for dinner. Sat. Feb. 25 (5:00pm) Maria Teresa Galiano by the Janzen family Sun. Feb. 26 (8am) SPECIAL INTENTION for Barbara Bruckman by Mary Berger Sun. Feb. 26 (10am) Parishioners of St. Michael Sun. Feb. 26 (12noon) Mel & Anna Svela by John & Diane Svela Mon. Feb.27 (8:30am) John Jenkins by Richard & Marie Billings Tues. Feb. 28 (6pm) Ray Lamoureux by John & Gisele Delaney Wed. Mar. 1 (8:30am) Patrick Greaney by John & Sue Cummins Thurs. Mar.2(8:30am)Jo Ann Coogan by John & Mary Coogan Fri. Mar. 3 (8:30am) Anne McMally by John & Sue Cummins Sat. Mar. 4 (5pm) Justine Shurman by St. Michael Visitation Ministry Sun. Mar. 5 (8am) Parishioners of St. Michael Sun. Mar. 5 (10am) Anne & Andy Hammer by Dan Hammer & family Sun. Mar. 5 (12noon) Jayne Kayser by Doris Homan Please pray for the sick and all requests in our Prayer Request Book. The altar flowers are in memory of Jack Crowley by Bina Crowley and family. ST. PATRICK DAY IS COMING! The St. Michael Annual St. Patrick Day Dinner will be held at the Parish Hall on SATURDAY MARCH 18, 2017. All Parishioners and friends are welcome to attend. Our evening includes -- Irish music and entertainment, raffle - Irish Quilt - 50/50, surprises, and corned beef, cabbage/potatoes, desserts, and refreshments. Please note change in price - $15.00 per person, (children under 6 - free - hot dogs available). Come join us - limited seating. Serving from 5:00pm till 8:00pm - carry outs available. Tickets go on sale at all Masses starting on the 18th. SPONSORED BY ST. MICHAEL S MEN'S CLUB
ST. MICHAEL CATHOLIC CHURCH Corner of North Fourth & Broome Streets P.O. Box 6310 Fernandina Beach, FL 32035 Parish Office - 505 Broome Street - Phone - 904-261-3472 Fax - 321-1901 Email: smjdean@bellsouth.net ALL EMERGENCIES: 904-277-6566 Website: www.stmichaelscatholic.com Rev. Jose Kallukalam, Pastor Deacon Art Treadwell Saturday Vigil Mass: Sunday Masses: Confessions: Saturday: Daily Masses: Holy Days Vigil: Holy Day MASS SCHEDULE 5:00 pm 8:00 am 10:00 am 12:00 noon 4:00-4:45 pm or by appointment 8:30 am Mon., Wed., Thurs., & Fri. 6:00 pm Tues. 6:00 pm 8:30 am & 6:00 pm MINISTRY TO SICK & HOMEBOUND Weekly visits and monthly Communion Services are held at Savannah Grand, Quality Health Care and Jane Adams House. Visits by Priest or Extraordinary Minister can be arranged by calling 261-3472. MATRIMONY Marriage preparation for couples who wish to be married in a Catholic ceremony must meet with their parish priest at least eight months prior to the wedding date. R.C.I.A. For those seeking to learn more about the Catholic faith, call 261-3472. RELIGIOUS FORMATION Classes are available for grades 1 7. Sacrament preparation is available for Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation on Sundays from 10:30 am 11:45 am. Call the parish office, 261-3472. YOUTH MINISTRY Walt Edwards: 261-3472 MUSIC DIRECTOR Denise Ziegler: 654-3855 ST. MICHAEL ACADEMY Pre-K Grade 8 Principal Dr. Christopher Hampton Call 321-2102 for information Email: smacad@smacad.org Website: www.smacad.org St. Michael Catholic Church Mission Statement We are the body of Christ at St. Michael s Parish, called to: Gather for Worship, Celebrate the Paschal Mysteries, Preach the Gospel, Minister to Others, Be Witnesses to the World.