ST. MICHAEL CATHOLIC CHURCH P.O. Box 6310 Fernandina Beach, FL 32035 corner of North Fourth & Broome Streets 904-261-3472
SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT MARCH 12, 2017 THE JOURNEY OF TRANSFIGURATION We used to be such good friends. How is it that you ve moved so far away? one man asked another. Perhaps, the other replied, you have moved away. By standing still. This exchange very well could have happened between Peter and Jesus, had Peter been allowed to erect tents to stay on the mount of the Transfiguration. He nearly succumbed to the temptation to stay in a place of wonder and light. But Jesus knew the hard truth: we are on a continual journey when we are walking the paths of God s will. It is not good for us to stay in one place on our faith journey. Equally unhealthy is staying put in times of joy and wonder to avoid life s difficulties, or to wallow in our trials and temptations and fail to be companions for our sisters and brothers who are also suffering or celebrating! The pilgrim Church is required to do one thing on its Lenten journey: to walk continually with Christ as his Body born of water and the Spirit, seeking God s will, helping the reign of God to be known on earth, being led to the end of our journey, transfigured for all time into the company of heaven. TODAY S READINGS First Reading The LORD said to Abram: All the families of the earth shall find blessing in you (Genesis 12:1-4a) Psalm Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you (Psalm 33). Second Reading God has called us to a holy life, not because of our works but according to grace (2 Timothy 1:8b-10). Gospel Atop a high mountain, Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James, and John. (Matthew 17:1-9) READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Dn 9:4b-10; Ps 79:8, 9, 11, 13; Lk 6:36-38 Tuesday: Is 1:10, 16-20; Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21, 23; Mt 23:1-12 Wednesday: Jer 18:18-20; Ps 31:5-6, 14-16; Mt 20:17-28 Thursday: Jer 17:5-10; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Lk 16:19-31 Friday: Gn 37:3-4, 12-13a; 17b-28a; Ps 105:16-21; Mt 21:33-43, 45-46 Saturday: Mi 7:14-15, 18-20; Ps 103:1-4, 9-12; Lk 15:1-3, 11-32 Sunday: Ex 17:3-7; Ps 95:1-2, 6-9; Rom 5:1-2, 5-8; Jn 4:5-42 [5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42] TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION The Blessed Sacrament was not reserved in church buildings in the first centuries of the church. In those early years, of course, people met in borrowed house churches, gathering on the Lord s Day for community, apostolic teaching, the breaking of the bread, and the prayers, as Acts of the Apostles tells us. Dispersed, people went their way into the workaday world until the next assembly. Weighing down their hearts was the absence of brothers and sisters, not only the sick, but those imprisoned for the faith. No wonder they developed a way of extending the food of the Holy Table to them. Forty years ago, every altar boy in training heard about Saint Tarcisius. He was a twelve-year-old boy at the time of intense persecution in fourth-century Rome. His community had begun to convey the consecrated bread from their Eucharist to those condemned to death or awaiting trial. Normally deacons did this, but on one occasion, it was necessary to send the boy to bear the holy mysteries to the prison. The legend says that he was an athlete, and was detained on the way by some playmates who wanted him to join in their game. When he refused, they demanded to know what he was carrying. The situation went from bad to worse, and he was badly beaten and died of his injuries. A hundred years later, a pope called him a second St. Stephen. In the nineteenth century, Cardinal Nicholas Wiseman of England wrote a novel in which he expanded the story and popularized it. By then, no one seemed to notice that this twelve-yearold was actually touching and ministering the Eucharist, unthinkable until recently. Scholars say the story rings true: the first reason for setting some Eucharistic bread aside was not adoration, but Communion of the sick.
ST. MICHAEL S GOOD FRIDAY PASSION PLAY Musical Reenactment REHEARSALS BEGIN NEXT WEEK IN THE PARISH HALL: REHEARSAL SCHEDULE: Wednesdays 6:00pm:March 15, 22, 29 and April 5 FINAL DRESS REHEARSAL Wednesday 7:00pm April 12 IF YOU WOULD BE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING ON OR BEHIND STAGE PLEASE COME TO THE FIRST REHEARSAL CLIP AND SAVE!!! RCIA: RITE OF SENDING WHAT IS IT?? This Sunday, March 12th at the 10:00am Mass, our RCIA catechumen and candidates participate in the Rite of Sending. It is an optional rite that is performed before the Rite of Election. It is during the Rite of Sending when their sponsors and we, their faith community, publically state that they are ready to receive the sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil Mass. We are sending them to the Bishop. It is at the Rite of Election that Bishop Estevez will accept our testimony and state that they have been chosen in Christ. The Rite of Election will be held at the Basilica in St. Augustine at 2:00pm. Please keep our catechumen, Vashronda Sellers, and our candidates, Kristel Bailey Baylon, Beckie Bliss and Susan Dodge in your prayers. ULTREYA If you made a Cursillo, and would like to attend our monthly Ultreya, we will meet Wednesday, March 15th in the Parish Hall from 6:30 8:00pm. Please join us. Christ Jesus...destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. 2 Timothy 1:10b 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 Good Friday is a day 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. STATIONS OF THE CROSS March 17th, March 24th, March 31st, and April 7th at 6:00pm. Fish Dinners will be available in the Parish Hall after the Stations, Cost is $8.50 and tickets can be purchased when you go to the Hall. SATURDAY, APRIL 8th 5:00PM PALM SUNDAY APRIL 9th 8:00AM 10:00AM 12NOON MONDAY APRIL 10th 8:30AM TUESDAY APRIL 11th 6:00PM WEDNESDAY APRIL 12th 8:30AM HOLY THURSDAY APRIL 13th 7:00PM EXPOSITION AND ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT FOR 1 HOUR AFTER MASS. GOOD FRIDAY APRIL 14th 3:00PM PASSION OF THE LORD, VENERATION OF THE HOLY CROSS, HOLY COMMUNION HOLY SATURDAY VIGIL APRIL 15th TIME TO BE DETERMINED EASTER SUNDAY APRIL 16th 8:00AM 10:00AM 12:00NOON EASTER SUNDAY MASSES WILL BE HELD OUTDOORS IN THE AREA BETWEEN THE CHURCH AND ACADEMY IF POSSIBLE, PLEASE BRING A LAWN CHAIR.
GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS OFFERING! Registered Families 1631 March 5, 2017 Offertory $21,030.00 On Line Offertory 2,103.40 Children s Collection 97.75 Debt Reduction 1,501.00 On Line Debt Reduction 1,285.00 FIRST RECONCILIATION Please keep the children, who are preparing for their First Reconciliation on Wednesday, March 29th, in your prayers. CCW NEWS The March General Meeting for the CCW (Council of Catholic Women) will be held on Monday, March 13th. We welcome you to join us in the Parish Hall with light refreshments beginning at 6:30pm followed by the one hour business meeting which begins at 7:00pm. Come pray with us, meet new women of the Parish as well as reconnect with old friends. All Catholic women are invited especially visitors, friends and part-time residents. Sat. Mar. 11 (5pm) Madeline Bender O Dell by Pete & Gloria Rubio Sun. Mar. 12 (8am) Joe Reamer by Betty Metz Sun. Mar. 12 (10am) Harvey Sibley by Mary Berger Sun.Mar.12(12noon) Parishioners of St. Michael Mon.Mar.13(8:30am)Gladys Shripka by Harry & Donna Shripka Tues. Mar.14(6pm) Miriam Stewart by Jake & Pat Gosa Wed.Mar.15(8:30am)Karen Norton by Marty Ahearn Thurs.Mar.16(8:30am)Mother of Michele Tucker by Kevin & Mia Fitzgerald Fri.Mar.17(8:30am) Mother of Lee Buchanan by Kevin & Mia Fitzgerald Sat.Mar.18(8:30am) Ryan Patrick Gosa by the Gosa family Sun..Mar.19(8am) Steve Brawley by Greg & Pat D Alessio Sun. Mar. 19 (10am) Gloria & Donn Share by John & Sue Cummins Sun. Mar.19(12noon)Parishioners of St. Michael Please pray for the sick and all requests in our Prayer Request Book. SUPPORT ST. MICHAEL ACADEMY LIBRARY If you shop at Barnes and Noble at St. John s Town Center March 25 March 30, you have an opportunity to help out the SMA library! Prior to your purchase on line or in the store, please mention St. Michael Academy and use code# 12101531 and SMA will receive a percentage of the proceed. There is no extra cost to you. On Line, there will be a box at the bottom of the credit card page to enter the code #12101531. THE BIG EVENT! be stories, arts and plays performed by SMA students and faculty. Come and join us at 11:00 2:30 FOR THE FUN!
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.