BLESSED SACRAMENT PARISH

BLESSED SACRAMENT PARISH 305 Laurentian Drive, Kitchener, Ontario N2E 2N6 519-742-5061 FAX: 519-742-0982 www. blessed sacrament. ca SUNDAY MASSES: Saturday 7:00 p.m. Sunday 8:15 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 11:45 a.m. PARISH STAFF Rev. Larry Parent, Pastor pastor@blessed-sacrament.ca Rev. Mr. Neil Devereaux, Deacon deacon@blessed-sacrament.ca Keri Smith Office Administrator (Hours: 8:30 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Mon. Tues. Thurs. Fri.) office@blessed-sacrament.ca Doreen Yarascavitch Bookkeeper (Wednesday only) David Hall (741-0067) Minister of Music music@blessed-sacrament.ca Shannon Smith Junior Choir juniorchoir@blessed-sacrament.ca Marilyn Koehler Pastoral Minister/School Liaison schools@blessed-sacrament.ca Jorden Brown Pastoral Minister/Junior Youth Group junioryouth@blessed-sacrament.ca Sandra Scarfone Sacristan sacristan_blessedsacrament@yahoo.ca EUCHARISTIC ADORATION 1 st Friday of the month. BLESSING OF EXPECTANT PARENTS: After all Masses on the first Sunday of each month SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM: Please call the office for a meeting. SACRAMENT OF PENANCE: Saturday 11:00 a.m. SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE: Please call the office for a meeting. ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY: Church door collection on the last Sunday of each month. CATHOLIC WOMEN S LEAGUE: Marion Roeder President - 226-444-8453 marion.roeder23@gmail.com PASTORAL CARE (SICK/ELDERLY): If you know someone who is sick please call the church office -519-742-5061 LEGION OF MARY: Anna Gravesande 226-749-0727 PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY: Alannah LeJeune - 519-743-8853 PASTORAL CARE/ NURSING HOMES Lucille Gaskin 519-743-6828 KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Dave Obermeyer - grandknight@kofc1504.com

Palm Sunday ANNOUNCED MASSES FOR WEEK OF April 10, 2017 Tuesday 9:00 a.m. Josephine Gilroy Jim & Sharon Dreher & Family Westmount Mass 11:00 a.m. Special Intention Larry Finn Wednesday 9:00 a.m. Antonio & Maria, Antonio & Ana Lucia Neves Holy Thursday 7:30 p.m. Mass of the Last Supper Good Friday 11:30 a.m. - Solemn Liturgy 3:00 p.m. -Solemn Liturgy 7:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross Easter Vigil - Saturday 8:00 p.m. Easter Vigil Easter Sunday 8:15 a.m. 10:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Blessed Sacrament Church Sunday, April 2 Offertory $ 7,708.85 EVENTS FOR THE WEEK Tuesday Mass at Westmount Nursing Home 11:00 a.m. Confirmation 4:00 p.m. Prison Prayer Team 6:00 p.m. Church Legion of Mary 7:30 p.m. Board Rm Wednesday RCIC 6:30 p.m. Sun. Celebration Rm RCIA 7:30 p.m. Parish Centre Thursday Consecration to Devine Mercy 1:00 p.m. Board Rm Saturday Blessing of the Food 12:00 noon PALM SUNDAY April 9: the gateway to Holy Week is the great memorial of our Lord s solemn entrance into Jerusalem when he was about to suffer and to die. Throughout the world the church accords to Christ the kingly homage due him. Into our hands the Church puts palms as a symbol of loyalty to Him and of our willingness to do Him honour. As you enter the church, pick up a palm which will be blessed and should then be displayed in your home as a visible reminder that Jesus is our Lord and King. Old palms should be reverently burned. CHRISM MASS You are invited to join Bishop Crosby for the annual celebration of the Mass of Chrism on Monday, April 10 th, at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King, Hamilton at 7:00 p.m. Mass THE EASTER TRIDUUM The week leading up to Easter is filled with so many graces it is called Holy Week. During this week we celebrate the great mysteries of Christ s Passover, Death and Resurrection. Each day is unique and has celebration that is different from all others. Holy Thursday is the celebration of the Last Supper and the institution of the Eucharist and Priesthood. During this Mass, the Pastor of the parish washes the feet of 12 parishioners in remembrance of Jesus washing the feet of His Disciples. At the end of Mass, we process around the church and to the Parish Center with the Blessed Sacrament where Jesus will remain until 11:00 p.m. for adoration. Good Friday is the celebration of our Lord s death which saves us from our sins. This is the only day of the year that we do not celebrate Mass. Instead we have a service which includes the reading of the Passion according to St. John, the veneration of the Cross and the reception of Holy Communion. This is only day of the year that we genuflect to the Cross. Holy Saturday and the Easter Vigil is the highlight of our liturgical year. Everything we have been doing since last Easter is to prepare us for this night. The Easter Vigil begins with the lighting and blessing of the Easter fire. We enter the church in darkness, symbolizing the darkness of sin. Into that darkness comes the light of Christ in the form of the new Easter candle. From this candle, all present light

their own candle until we are bathed in the light of Christ. We then listen to readings from the Old Testament chronicling all that God has done to prepare people to be His own. In a moment of grace, the lights of the church come on, the organ (which we haven t heard since Holy Thursday) begins and the Gloria is sung for the first time since Lent began. Jesus is Risen and we now celebrate the first Mass of Easter. At this Mass we baptize adults and receive into our faith those who have be part of the R.C.I.A. process. This is a beautiful liturgy, but be prepared it is very long. HOLY THURSDAY FOOD DRIVE We will be collecting non-perishable food for St Vincent de Paul from now until the Mass of the Lord s Supper on Holy Thursday. Your gifts may be placed in the box provided in the lobby. NEEDED: Tin Pasta, canned fruit & vegetables, spaghetti sauce, pork & beans, peanut butter are some of the main items SPONSORSHIP FAMILY UPDATE First of all we wish to thank those who facilitated the Soup and Salad dinner in support of Nihad and Reeta. Thank you to those who donated to this cause. While our initial major fundraiser was extremely generous as outlined in the financial report, once the Federal government assistance ceases in June, we will see significant decreases in the original funds (beyond the start up costs which we funded) as all living costs will then need to be covered. "We have passed the three month period since the arrival of Nihad and Reeta. Much has been accomplished. As mentioned in previous updates. they are no longer referred to as refugees. Their official status is as permanent residents. While our committee continues to be called the "Refugee Sponsorship Committee" we no longer refer to the women as refugees. Please be aware that we are limited in what we can share about them because of privacy laws. This is reinforced to us on a regular basis by the Diocesan Office for Refugees. Both women are enrolled in ESL classes through the St. Louis Adult Education Centre, St. Francis campus. After a few test runs on the GRT they are now using transit to and from school independently. Another new development is the establishment of a group of retired teachers, members of the parish, who will work with the ladies on a weekly basis to develop language skills. This will be done using the "conversation circle" model used in many locations and agencies in the city. Some members of the committee attended a workshop held at St. Anthony Daniel Parish on March 18th by the director of the Diocesan Office for Refugees, Erin Pease. Bishop Crosby was in attendance as well and thanked everyone for what he said was, "quite simply, saving lives." It was a very informative and supportive event. Please know that Nihad and Reeta are extremely gracious and thankful and, once they gain some basic english language skills, will wish to thank the parish community personally in the future. Thank you as always for your prayerful support. CWL Anniversary Luncheon Thank you to all who supported us by attending our event or purchasing Raffle and 50/50 tickets. Everyone enjoyed the meal supplied by Nisrine's Catering. Here are the lucky raffle prize winners: #1 Family Game Night Margaret Bugeja #2 Let s Chill Andrea #3 Ladies Night Maria Van Dam #4 Movie Night Sean Mendez #5 Angel of Nature Donna Cepovski #6 Welcome Baby Girl Zenaida Macedo # 7 Coffe Pot Bonnie Gringel #8 Men s Choice Betty 50/50 Draw Sonny Bugeja 3 RD SATURDAY CHOIR The 3 rd Saturday Choir is looking for vocalists (specifically female if possible). For more information or to join contact Steve Bondy 519-743-7577 or scbhome@rogers.com for further details. PRISON MINISTRY PRAYER TEAM Join us on Tuesdays during Lent at 6:00 p.m.at Blessed Sacrament Church to pray the Scriptural Rosary for the intentions of Grand Valley Institution for Women. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS New to Waterloo, K of C Bingo Thursday Nights, Doors open 6:00 p.m. Bingo starts at 7:00 p.m.145 Dearborn Place, Waterloo, Cash prizes, Food and Fun" - And - Waterloo K of C Good Friday Fish Fry April 14th, 2017 at 145 Dearborn Place, Waterloo Seating's, at 1, 1:30, and every half hour 4:00-7:30 1 pc Fish and Chips $11.50, 2pc Fish and Chips $13.50, coffee and dessert incl. Tickets available at the Columbus Conference Centre, 519-884-2060 ST. MARY S GENERAL HOSPITAL

We wish to inform the members of your parish that, once again, we are offering Mass in the Resurrection Chapel at the hospital each Thursday at 11; 00 a.m. We are pleased to provide the opportunity for patients, families, staff and volunteers to attend. Members of your parish are also warmly invited to join us. It is our hope that through the participation of those in our community, we will be able to continue offering this most important source of faith, hope and spiritual healing in the lives of many people. DIOCESAN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY MASS Are you celebrating your 25th, 40th, 50th, 60th, or 60+ Wedding Anniversary in the year 2017? If you are, you are cordially invited to join couples from across the Diocese of Hamilton for a Wedding Anniversary Mass on Sunday, June 25, 2017 at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King at 1:30 pm. (Space allows room for Anniversary couples only - those married 60 years or more may bring 1 guest if you require assistance). Please refer to the poster in the entrance of the church for information on how to register for the celebration, or go to www.hamiltondiocese.com. 43 RD ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE TO THE SHRINES OF QUEBEC Mon. August 7 Sat Aug.12, 2017 We will visit Cap-de-la Madeleine, St. Anne-de- Beaupre & St. Joseph s Oratory, plus Spiritual Advisor: Fr. Jerome Mascarenhas OCD,PP of St. Aloysius Church, Kitchener. For more information, please phone Rose Gunn 519-744-5923 or Erna Spoenlein 519-743- 1030 or email rosejgunn@gmail.com SERRA CLUB OF KITCHENER WATERLOO invites you to join us on Wednesday, May 3 to hear a presentation by Dr. Josephine Lombardi. Dr. Lombardi is well known as a Professor of Theology at St. Augustine's Seminary along with her work in radio and television. She is an esteemed author and recently appointed Theologian for a new Religious Education curriculum for Catholic School Boards in Ontario. Dr. Lombardi was the keynote speaker at last years National CWL convention and we are fortunate to have her coming to speak to us. The theme of her talk will be Mary, a most appropriate topic for the month of May dedicated to the Blessed Mother. Please join us at 7:15 pm for dessert and coffee prior to her talk at St. Teresa Parish Hall, 44 Leonard St. Kitchener. Free will offering will be collected and it is not necessary to register. *** If you wish join with Serra members at 5:00 pm for our Holy Hour, Mass and dinner prior to her talk, please call Mary Helen Stroeder at 519 570 4375 to register. Cost for dinner is $15 CARD PARTIES St. Anthony Daniel s Parish Wednesday April 26th in the Parish Life Centre, Kitchener. Tickets available by calling Joan Schurter 519-893-7429 St. Michael's Parish - Tuesday, May 2nd in the Parish Centre. Doors open at 6:00pm. Lunch at 6:30pm. Admission is $10.00/person. Draws at 9:00pm. St. Clement s Parish Wednesday, April 19 Doors open at 6 p.m. Lunch will be served at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $8.00. ANNUAL PRIESTHOOD & CONSECRATED LIFE DINNER The Serra Club of Hamilton celebrates the 14 th Annual Priesthood & Consecrated Life Dinner of Thursday, May 11 th at Liuna Station Banquet Centre in Hamilton. For details please visit: www.celebrationprl.wixsite.com/dinner or call Margaret 905-628-5682 THE 38TH ANNUAL KW WALK FOR LIFE On Saturday May 6th, 2017. The Walk begins at Historic St. Pauls at 10:30am. Registration is at 10:00am. Please call the KW Right to Life Office for pledge sheets or go to our website to print them. 519.746.5433 kwrtl.ca Good food and prizes. Walk 3k and help support our educational programs or call the office to pledge. A bus will leave Kitchener for the Ottawa March for Life, Thursday May 11, 2017 5:30am Pick-up: Fairview Park Mall Kitchener. (Walmart parking lot) Park at the far end of the parking lot up against Fairway Road. (near Hwy 8) Call the office to book your seat $20. 519.746 5433 or email: kwrtl@golden.net DIOCESE OF HAMILTON 2017 YOUTH RALLY Registration is now OPEN! Youth in grades 7 to 12 are invited to participate in the Youth Rally taking place at C.Y.O. Camp Brebeuf, Rockwood on Saturday June 3rd, 2017. The day will focus on our theme "All are Welcome". The day will consist of a keynote address, workshops, Celebration of the Eucharist, fellowship and fun! Registration is $20.00 per person. Please visit http://hamiltondiocese.com/youthrally/ for more details. Individual and group registration will close May 1st, 2017, so register soon! CURSILLO WEEKENDS IN THE DIOCESE OF HAMILTON Cursillo, designated by the Vatican as a renewal movement of the Church, has been for many people, a powerful instrument in effecting a new and deeper awareness of what Christianity means in their lives. The three-day weekend provides an experience of a dynamic Christian community where the teachings of Christ are

presented and discussed in a spirit of joy and celebration. This year the Cursillo weekends in the Diocese of Hamilton are as follows: - Women s: October 12-15, 2017 - Men s: October 26-29, 2017 Attention Cursillistas: Do you recall your own Cursillo experience? This is a reminder to share the gift of your experience by sponsoring a friend. It is a gesture of love. Bring a friend to Jesus! For information, please contact: Dan Brown (519) 570-4105 or Ann Staines (519) 669-9606 Or visit our website: http://cursillohamilton.org/.