ST MARY STAR OF THE SEA PARISH FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT MARCH 13, 2016 MASS SCHEDULE ST. MARY STAR OF THE SEA CHURCH CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 1ST HOLY SAVIOR CHURCH EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 1ST: SUNDAY AT 7:00AM, 8:30AM & 10AM MONDAY THURSDAY AT 8:30AM SATURDAY VIGIL AT 5:15PM CONFESSIONS AT 3:00-5:00PM Mission Statement We the people of St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish in Ocean City, Maryland, want to respond to God s love for us by doing His will, to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to love each other as Jesus loved us. In this way, He can live, as Risen Lord, in our midst and attract all people to the Father. As part of the Church, we want to be a Home and School of Communion where, through the celebration and living out the Sacraments, and various ministries, each member can live in unity as a child of God, building up the Kingdom of God until Jesus will come again in glory.
The kingdom of God has come to you (Lk 11:20) Dear parishioners and friends, We continue our Lenten Journey: we are approaching Holy Week with greater appreciation of God s Mercy for us. Last week, as we meditate on God s Love and Mercy towards us we were asked to rejoice and revel in the love of God. The central message of the Word this Sunday's liturgy is the encounter with Jesus who does not appear as a judge, but who reaches us in the depths of the heart to change our lives. It is the strength that comes from him who can heal our wounds and create in us a renewal. This force has a name: forgiveness! Jesus does not condemn a woman caught in sin, but offers the opportunity to change. "Which one of you is without sin, cast the first stone at her," Jesus said to those who accused the woman caught in adultery and He continues to tell us the same thing. After the disappearance of the accusers, Jesus finds himself alone with the woman, with whom He weaves a short dialogue, which has its culmination in word of forgiveness with an invitation to sin no more. The woman is rendered able of looking forward and is invited to walk in the forgiveness that Jesus has covered; In fact, this word will give her strength to not sin, much more of the threats and the judgments of his accusers. Truly God is able to bring good out of evil! For this woman, sin becomes an opportunity for an encounter that radically changed his life, and creates in her hope. Even we, as individuals and as a church community, we find it hard to recognize in her, both for our sinful experience for both the encounter with divine mercy. We ask the Lord to make it ever more profound experience. Only Love is credible, and only Love can truly change people s hears. I am reminded of this story from T.O. who lives in Italy. He tells us the story: I cheated, and I had an affair. When my wife told me that she had noticed my betrayal, it was the picture of desolation. That morning I realized that I had ruined everything: my life, her own, and that of our children. It seemed impossible to undo, and so I went to the office with this agony inside, and with the fear of what was coming once I would be back home at night. All day I was thinking about what to say, how to defend myself. When I rang the doorbell, the door opened immediately. My wife was there, serene, and behind her our table set up for dinner as it was laden for a feast day... All the defenses that I had prepared collapsed suddenly. Nothing could hurt me more than that acceptance. I realized that my wife allowed me to start again. From there, with hard work, our marriage was reborn. I am amazed at the response we had for the 40 items for 40 days. We received a lot of clothes, and I know that many people in our areas will feel very blessed. The final drop off day is Holy Thursday. Holy Week services are listed in the bulletin. Please make note of them As we usually do, (and weather permitting) there will be a procession before the 10am Mass on Palm Sunday. Our candidates enrolled in the R.C.I.A. are going to their last phase of preparation; please, continue to keep them in your prayers and they are preparing themselves for the big step. Remember that we have Stations of the Cross every Friday evening at 7pm. You are encouraged to participate. Our young parishioner will lead us in prayer through he living stations of the Cross next Friday, March 18 th at 7pm, as well as on Good Friday, March 25 th at 7pm LENTEN PENANCE SERVICES Tuesday, March 15th 6:30pm St. John Neumann Berlin, MD Reconciliation is available at on Saturday s from 3pm 5pm If you are unable to make any of the above times, please contact the parish office to make an appoint with Father Stanislao.
FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT Readings for the Week of March 13, 2016 Sunday: Is 43:16-21/Ps 126:1-6/Phil 3:8-14/Jn 8:1-11 Monday: Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or 13:41c-62/Ps 23:1-6/Jn 8:12-20 Tuesday: Nm 21:4-9/Ps 102:2-3, 16-21/Jn 8:21-30 Wednesday: Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95/Dn 3:52-56/Jn 8:31-42 Thursday: Gn 17:3-9/Ps 105:4-9/Jn 8:51-59 Friday: Jer 20:10-13/Ps 18:2-7/Jn 10:31-42 Saturday: 2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16/Ps 89:2-5, 27, 29/ Rom 4:13, 16-18, 22/Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a or Lk 2:41-51a Next Sunday: Lk 19:28-40/Is 50:4-7/Ps 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24/Phil 2:6-11/Lk 22:14--23:56 or 23:1-49 HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE HOLY THURSDAY, MARCH 24TH 9:00am Morning Prayer 7:00pm Mass of the Last Supper Adoration until 10pm following Mass in Hall GOOD FRIDAY MARCH 25TH 9:00am Morning Prayer 3:00pm Passion of the Lord & Veneration 7:00pm Live Stations of the Cross HOLY SATURDAY MARCH 26TH 9:00am Morning Prayer 9:20am Blessing of the Food 7:30pm Easter Vigil EASTER SUNDAY 7:00am Mass 8:30am Mass 10:00am Mass Thank you to all who support the parish on a regular basis. You will notice that during the winter months our ordinary income does not cover our monthly expenses, please prayerfully consider an increase in your weekly contribution to help us pay for the needs of the parish. February 1 to 29, 2016 Weekly Offertory 30,850.97 Building & Maintenance 2,496.10 Capital Improvements 1,805.50 Holy Day 1,567.50 Novena & Mass Stipends 1,820.00 Flowers, Altar. Easter 66.00 Votive & Sanctuary Lamp 538.38 Breakfast & Dinner & Hall 4,527.29 Religious Ed Shop 649.50 Installement Sustaining Hope 9,660.00 Poor Box 660.03 Mortgage Reduction 2,638.90 Miscellaneous 105.07 Exchange (458.00) Interest 136.20 Total Receipts 57,063.44 Ordinary Expenses 34,081.17 Diocese Assessment 0 School Assessment 5,051.08 Breakfast & Dinner Exp. 2,888.72 Interest 33.19 Principal Reduction Ord. 2,566.81 Tickets are on sale now for our Authentic Polish Dinner! We will have live music by Richard Hajewski and will be serving the following food: Homemade Perogies, Smoked & Fresh Kielbasa, Golabki & Sauce, Sauerkraut, Cucumber & Onion Salad, Pickled Beets, Rye Bread, Horseradish, Sour Cream and Homemade Desserts! You are also welcome to bring your favorite Adult Beverage! Cost is $15. in advance, $18. at the Door and $16. Carryout! Tickets are on sale at the Parish Office! Religious Ed Shop 68.97 Capital Expenditures Total Disbursements 44,689.94 Parish Pay Included Above 5,450.00
FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT Read in the Bible Lk 7:36-50 Ex 34:6-9 Ez 33:10-11 Mat 6:9-15 Psalm 31 Psalm 51 Psalm 124 In Depth Faith Development: for your prayer time and meditation Read in the catechism of the Catholic Church CCC 430, 545, 589, 1846-1847: Jesus manifests the Father s mercy CCC 133, 428, 648, 989, 1006: the surpassing wealth of knowing Christ CCC 2475-2479: rash judgment From the early Church Let the one without sin be the first to throw a stone. Mark his reply. It contains justice, clemency, and truth in full measure. Let the one among you who has never sinned be the first to throw a stone at her. Let the sinner be punished, yes but not by sinners. Let the law be carried out, but not by l a w b r e a k e r s. This, unquestionably, is the voice of justice, justice that pierced those men like a javelin. Looking into themselves, they realized their guilt, and one by one they all went out. Two remained behind: the miserable woman, and Mercy. The Lord raised his eyes, and with a gentle look he asked her: Has no one condemned you? She replied: No one, sir. And he s a i d : N e i t h e r w i l l I c o n d e m n y o u. What is this Lord? Are you giving approval to immorality? Not at all. Take note of what follows: Go and sin no more. You see then that the Lord does indeed pass sentence, but it is s i n h e c o n d e m n s, n o t p e o p l e. One who approved of immorality would have said, Neither will I condemn you. Go and live as you please; you can be sure that I will acquit you. However much you sin, I will release you from all penalty, and from the tortures of hell and the underw o r l d. Corporal Work of Mercy Visiting the imprisoned No cell can keep prisoners from God Pope Francis (Oct, 2013) The Liturgy Committee of St Mary Star of the Sea has adopted the 5 th Corporal Work of Mercy for the Jubilee Year of Mercy. Visit the imprisoned is often overlooked when we think of showing mercy but we are told that the first sign of civilization was A healed human leg bone. ( Dr Margaret Mead ). A healed leg bone is physical evidence that someone cared. Someone nursed the injured person back to health. Christ calls us to love and have compassion for all of our brothers and sisters, especially those in most need of physical and emotional support. With the Liturgy Committee leading the way, our parishioners can: 1. Support and participate in assisting those in the ministry of the incarcerated. Our Visiting Priest, Fr Aigner, ministers to prisoners and our committee has sent Father 50 Lenten daily prayer booklets for him to distribute to those he serves. We will keep Father and his ministry in our prayers throughout the year. 2. Pray for the families of inmates. There will be prayer cards in the foyer of. 3. Pray for persecuted Christians who are imprisoned throughout the world. The bulletin board in the hall foyer will have more information 4. Pray to St Joseph Cafasso, who is the Patron Saint of Chaplains to prisons, prisoners and their families. More information on St Joseph Cafasso will be in future bulletins. He did not say that. He said: Neither will I condemn you; you need have no fear of the past, but beware of what you do in the future. Neither will I condemn you: I have blotted out what you have done; now observe what I have commanded, in order to obtain what I have promised. (Homilies on the Gospel of John 33, 4-6. 8: CCL 36, 307-310)
FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT One of my favorite parts of Lent is being able to experience the Living Stations as presented by our fifth and sixth Grade students! The children and the Catechists give their all to this performance They will begin practicing this weekend and will study and work on it until the performances! If you have never experienced it, I strongly encourage you to try and make one of the two performances! It is a very moving reenactment of our Lords Passion and death! It allows both children and adults the ability to experience the events of Holy week in a whole new light! It can be a very emotional experience! It is a true team effort with the music ministry, parish staff and Religious Education working together to create a beautiful experience for the whole parish! The dates for the performances are Friday March 18 th and Good Friday, March 25. The performances take place at 7 PM. It is an event suitable for the whole family so join us and bring the kids, grandkids, aunts, uncles grandparents and neighbors. I also encourage the families of our fifth and sixth grade kids to support your child, encourage them to take part in the Living Stations. It is a parish tradition that they will remember forever and it gives them an understanding of our Lord s Passion that they just can t get from books and pictures! So, mark these dates on your calendar, put it on your phone write it on your refrigerator!! Where ever you won t forget!! See you there!! God Bless, Rita Star of the Sea Shoppe, Don t forget that the shop will be displayed in the foyer of the Religious Education Office!! Do you have someone making first Communion, Confirmation, getting Married, or being baptized!!! Yes, we have something for everyone!! Be sure to check it out!! NO RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES this weekend. All students from grade 2 to 10 should come to Church at the 1:45 PM Religious Ed ~ Reconciliation Service for teens will be today March 13-2PM Grades 2 to 10 So there are no morning or evening classes. All should attend the Reconciliation Service From the desk of Mark J. Record, Principal From the desk of Mark J. Record, Principal From the Program Manager of Eastern Shore Social Services from Catholic Charities. Dear Mr. Record: Thank you for lending Catholic Charities Seton Center the assistance of members of Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic School teachers and staff. Not only did the team come bearing gifts, but eagerly stepped in to assist in preparing bags for February food cooperative senior citizen participants. After greeting many MBSCS students during visits to our multi-purpose community center, it was a pleasure to finally meet a few of the educators who support and encourage others to assist Seton Center s work. Our efforts are multiplied when concerned residents volunteer to work with us to help address the needs of the community. We are grateful for such a partnership that enables us to more effectively meet the immediate needs of our neediest residents. The basic needs assistance, emergency food pantry, food share and community enrichment programs, as well as behavioral health services we provide reach more families thanks to concerned neighbors like the Most Blessed Sacrament School team. Our success is a reflection of the charitable contributions of the community. We are grateful that the Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic School chooses to support our work time and time again. Thank you for generously giving of yourselves on behalf of our neighbors in crisis. Sincerely, Michele J. Canopii, Ph.D. Program Manager Eastern Shore Social Services This week starts the open application season for the 2016-2017 academic school year. If you have friends or family in the community who may be looking for an environment that is academically challenging and spiritually nourishing, please refer them to Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic School. We are happy to speak with families who are interested in a rigorous academic environment grounded in Christian values and based on the Gospel teachings of Jesus Christ. Please have them contact the school office and ask for Lisa Edmunds, Director of Admissions. Thank you for your support of our school.
MASS INTENTIONS March 12 5:15p.m. March 13 7:00a.m 10:00a.m. March 14 March 15 March 16 March 17 8:30am March 18 9:00am 12 Noon March 19 5:15p.m. March 20 7:00a.m 10:00a.m. Saturday Parishioners Sunday Stella Chansky & Mateyaszotis Fam Bruce Jester Joseph Mitchell Monday Joan Kirsch Tuesday John Keenan Carrigan Wednesday Mary E. McDonnell Thursday Dick Rutherford Friday Prayer & Adoration Saturday Judy Kolarik Sunday Rob Schultheis Parishioners Richard Kocent First Collection Second Collection $6,182.047 $734.61 Thank you to all of you for your most generous donations The Second Collection for next week will be for Building & Maintenance Pastor: Rev. Stanislao Esposito pastor@stmarystaroftheseaocmd.com Deacon: Rev. Mr. Wil Pinder deacon@stmarystaroftheseaocmd.com Administrative Assistant: Mrs. Donna Santoni office@stmarystaroftheseaocmd.com Faith Formation: Mrs. Rita Danhardt Religioused@stmarystaroftheseaocmd.com 410-289-7038 If you would like a Sanctuary Candle lit for the week for a special intention or in memory of a loved one, please contact the parish office. A donation of $10.00 is appreciated. This week s candle at Holy Savior will be lit In Loving Memory of Anne Ryan and Heidi Hayes from Joe Ryan Baptisms are held monthly at Church. Required Baptismal Preparations are held the first Sunday of each month at 1pm. Registration is required. Please contact Rita Danhardt, Director of Faith Formation for further information, 410-289-7038 or religioused@stmarystaroftheseaocmd.com. Music Director: Mr. Jordan Pantalone jspantalone1018@gmail.com Facilities Manager: Mr. Tony Dicken, maintenance@stmarystaroftheseaocmd.com PARISH OFFICE HOURS Mon., Tues, & Thurs. 9am to 5pm Wed. & Fri. 9am to 3pm 410-289-0652 1705 Philadelphia Avenue Ocean City, MD 21842 Website: Stmarystaroftheseaocmd.com Facebook: Saint Mary Ocean City, MD Parish Pay: Automated Giving 1-866-727-4741 x 4 Parishpay.com