Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church A Cross of Love What has the Cross given to those who have gazed upon it or touched it? What has it left in each one of us? It gives us a treasure that no one else can give: the certainty of the unshakable love which God has for us. -Pope Francis Loving God, for love of me, your son, Jesus, put aside everything he might have clung to: power, privilege, prestige. Instead of excusing himself from the pain of life in this world, he met it head-on. He fully inhabited my humanity and refused to absent himself from the worst we humans have to grapple with; anguish, abandonment, betrayal, emotional pain. Could there be any greater love? Amen. MASS SCHEDULE Saturday Evening Vigil: 5:00 p.m. Sunday Morning: 7:30 a.m.,10:00 a.m.,11:30 a.m. Monday Friday 8:15 a.m. Holy Days: Vigil: 6:30 p.m. Holy Day: 9:00 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. CONFESSIONS Every Saturday: 4:00-4:45 p.m. and by appointment. DIOCESAN VICTIM ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR Wendy S. Krisak, M.A., NCC, LPC: Direct telephone: 1-800-791-9209 DIOCESAN SAFE ENVIRONMENT COORDINATOR Sr. Meg Cole, S.S.J.: Telephone: 610-332-0442 x 2019 Monsignor Nevin Klinger J.C.L., M.A., Pastor Monsignor Robert Coll, Pastor Emeritus Fr. Benoy Joseph, in residence 4101 Old Bethlehem Pike, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 18015 610-867-7424 - www.assumptionbethlehem.com

YOUR STEWARDSHIP IS THE SOURCE OF OUR GROWTH The collection total for April 6-7, 2019 will be in next week s bulletin. Thank you for your support and generosity. Your weekly contributions make much of what is done here possible. Thanks are extended to those who use envelopes and those who contribute through our Online Giving. PARISH CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK Monday, April 15, 2019 10:00 a.m. Bible Study Finnegan Room 12:00 p.m. Sewing Sisters Finnegan Room 1:00 p.m. Healing Our Church -Coll Room 7:00 p.m. Prayer Shawl Group - Fritz Room 7:00 p.m. Healing Our Church - Finnegan Rm 7:00 p.m. Knights of Columbus Mtg. Coll Rm. Tuesday, April 16, 2019 9:00 a.m. Women s Bible Study Jubilee Center 6:30 p.m. We The Living Grief Group- FinneganRm. Wednesday, April 17, 2019 10:00 a.m. Bible Study Finnegan Room 3:00 p.m. Healing Our Church - Parish Office 4:30 p.m. RCIA Jubilee Center 7:00 p.m. Choir Rehearsal Church Thursday, April 18, 2019 9:00 a.m. Women of Grace Finnegan Room 7:00 p.m. Lord s Supper Mass Church 7:30 p.m. CODA meeting Fritz Room Friday, April 19, 2019 3:00 p.m. Commem. of the Lord s Passion Church 4:00 p.m. Confessions Church 7:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross Church Saturday, April 20, 2019 11:00 a.m. Confessions Church 12:00 p.m. Easter Food Basket Blessing Church 8:00 p.m. Easter Vigil Church Sunday, April 21, 2019 7:30 a.m. Easter Mass Church 10:00 a.m. Easter Mass Hanlon Center 11:30 a.m. Easter Mass Hanlon Center SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Confessions will be held on Friday, April 19, after the 3 p.m. service to 5 p.m. and Saturday, April 20 from 11 a.m. to noon. Holy Thursday, April 18: The washing of feet during the Holy Thursday celebration of the Last Supper is a reminder primarily that the priest acts in the person of Christ and must serve God s people in humility. The washing of the feet of the twelve disciples represents the service and charity of Christ who came not to be served, but to serve. Representatives from our parish will be invited to have their feet washed. The Mass of the Lord s Supper will be celebrated at 7:00 p.m. This is a very joyful Mass, as we recall the institution of the Holy Eucharist and the priesthood. The Church calls for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at the Altar of Reposition, which is beautifully arranged in our church basement. At the conclusion of the Mass of the Lord s Supper on Holy Thursday, the congregation recesses the Blessed Sacrament to the altar of repose in the church basement. You and your family are encouraged to make a visit to Jesus in the tabernacle between 8:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Good Friday, April 19: The Commemoration of the Lord s Passion will be held at 3:00 p.m. this year in the church. Stations of the Cross will be held at 7:00 p.m. Holy Saturday, April 20: Easter food baskets will be blessed in the church at noon. The Easter Vigil is held at 8:00 p.m. (See page 3 for the Easter Sunday schedule) The parish offers low gluten hosts for the reception of Holy Communion for those who cannot tolerate the gluten in regular hosts. We are not able to offer the precious blood for Easter Masses. However, for those who can t tolerate even the low-gluten host, please tell the celebrant before Mass if you need to receive the precious blood. Mission Statement The Church of the Assumption B.V.M. is dedicated to becoming a community of disciples of Jesus Christ. As disciples we make Jesus Christ a living reality in the lives of the members of our parish family. By guiding and encouraging our people to discipleship through a heightened awareness of our Lord s presence in their lives, the parish community becomes a visible and active expression of the living Christ in our world today.

Assumption Parish Staff Parish Office: 610-867-7424 - ext. 10 Rev. Msgr. Nevin Klinger J.C.L., M.A., Pastor Deacon Don Elliott - ext 18, Deacon Stu Herman - ext. 19 Saint Michael the Archangel School: 610-867-8422 Mrs. Colleen Weiss, Principal; Mrs. Erin Faust, Vice Principal Assumption Preschool, Mrs. Andrea Powell, Director: powellandrea725@gmail.com Christina Durback, DRE: Parish & St. Michael Middle School: 610-814-0712 Dr. Dennis Varley: Director of Music: dennis.varley@desales.edu Mary Williams/Parish Office x10, Email: abvmrect@ptd.net Kate Varley Room Scheduling/Bulletin x11, Email: abvmkate@ptd.net Christians around the world are united in a special way during Lent, Holy Week and Easter. Our hearts, minds and prayers are also especially aware of the Holy Land. Our parish, once a year on Good Friday, is called on to support Christians in the Holy Land. Many Christians in the Holy Land depend on the collection for their lives. As a pontifical collection requested by Pope Francis, the annual Good Friday Collection offers a direct link for parishioners to be witnesses of peace and to help protect the Holy Places. When you donate on Good Friday, you are supporting Christians in the Holy Land. Volunteers Needed to launder the Altar Server cassocks. If you re available to take a handfull of cassocks home to clean, please call Mary Elliott at 610-838-8296 or email Mary at marye49@hotmail.com. Cassocks must be returned by Holy Thursday, April 18. First Saturday Rosary Families are invited to come say the rosary on the first Saturday of the month from 9-9:30 a.m. in the Finnegan Room. Rosaries and guides will be available. Babies and children are warmly invited! Upcoming dates are: May 4, June 1, and July 6. Easter Sunday, April 21: 7:30 a.m. Mass in the church 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Masses in the Hanlon Center Volunteers are needed this week to help ready our church for Holy Week and Easter. Please call the parish office at 610-867-7424 x10 if you can lend a hand. Save the date for Sunday, April 28 th after the 10am and 11:30am Masses. Bring your appetite! The Guardians are having a bake sale. We are a group of our parish high school teens who do volunteer service work. Proceeds will be donated to Angel 34, a nonprofit started in the Lehigh Valley to help children with cancer. The main focus is to get an ICEE machine for children in chemotherapy. It seems to make a big difference for the kids. We welcome any baked good donations (along with an ingredients list) to sell. Needed: If you would like to donate a baked good for the sale, please contact Melanie Sanchez-Jones at smzajones@yahoo.com.

www.st-mikes.com Mrs. Colleen Weiss, Principal Mrs. Erin Faust, Assistant Principal Kindergarten Registration & Screening: Kindergarten is the foundation for building a love of learning and the beginnings of determining success in your child s education. At St. Michael School, we welcome each child into our school family and stress a love of learning rooted in our Catholic Faith. Make the best investment in your child s life by enrolling today! Only a few spaces remain in our Fall 2019 Kindergarten class. Please contact our Advancement Office at 610-867-8422 x17 for information or to arrange a tour. To all those registered, Kindergarten screening dates are May 13 & 14 and information will be forthcoming. Do you know about our Pre-K program? The program is Monday through Friday and is designed for children who turn four by October 15 th. Pennsylvania Learning Standards for Pre- Kindergarten will be followed. Our full day program will is held from 8:30am-2:30pm with before and after care options provided. Our Pre- Kindergarten class is held at our Elementary School Campus located at 5040 St. Joseph Road in Coopersburg. Please contact Marianne Gano, Advancement Director at 610-867-8422 or mgano@st-mikes.com with any questions or further information. There are still a few slots open for Fall 2019! AmazonSmile will be running a special percentage of sales for Mother's Day. Here is the link to support St. Michael the Archangel School when you are shopping: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/23-2042774 2018-2019 school theme: Called to be Holy Called to be Saints Parish Religious Education Program PREP No PREP April 14, 17 or 21. Sessions resume April 24 and 28. Blessed Holy Week and Easter! ABVM PREP and St. Michael Middle School are collecting noodles and rice during April for area food banks. Any other non-perishable items are also appreciated. During this Holy Week, we ask for prayers for our 43 First Communion candidates who will celebrate this Sacrament during this Easter season. Preparation of children and youth for the Sacraments is the responsibility of first their parents, then of the pastor and the entire parish community. Your prayerful remembrance is a significant contribution to our young people s preparation. Thank you. PREP Families: If you did not attend Stations on March 8, we encourage you to attend Stations of the Cross on Good Friday at 7 p.m. in the church Please remember to submit your Stations of the Cross attendance sheet, as family attendance at Stations at least once during Lent is considered part of the PREP curriculum. Vacation Bible School June 24-27, 2019 9 a.m. - noon Holy Hikers Power Up to the Peaks! Climb with us on a fun, faith-filled adventure as we journey with Jesus up hills and mountains to grow in friendship with Him! Registration and Volunteer Applications available at, durback@ptd.net in the Religious Education Office, and in the Parish Office. Register early for a discount; space is limited! Volunteer application deadline: April 30 Participant registration deadline: May 31

Monday, April 15: Monday of Holy Week 8:15 a.m. Edward Marshall Tuesday, April 16: Tuesday of Holy Week 8:15 a.m. Jim Coughlin Wed., April 17: Wednesday of Holy Week 8:15 a.m. Olga Lecaros Thursday, April 18: Holy Thursday No Morning Mass 7:00 p.m. Celebrant s Intention Friday, April 19: Good Friday No Morning Mass 3:00 p.m. Commemoration of the Lord s Passion 7:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross Saturday, April 20: Holy Saturday No Morning Mass 12:00 p.m. Easter Food Blessing Vigil 8:00pm Easter Flower Intentions Sunday, April 21: Easter Sunday 7:30 a.m. Easter Flower Intentions 10:00 a.m. Easter Flower Intentions 11:30 a.m. Easter Flower Intentions READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Is 42:1-7; Ps 27:1-3, 13-14; Jn 12:1-11 Tuesday: Is 49:1-6; Ps 71:1-6, 15, 17; Jn 13:21-33, 36-38 Wednesday:Is 50:4-9a; Ps 69:8-10, 21-22, 31, 33-34; Mt 26:14-25 Thursday: Lord s Supper: Ex 12:1-8, 11-14; Ps 116:12-13, 15-16bc, 17-18; 1 Cor 11:23-26; Jn 13:1-15 Friday: Is 52:13 53:12; Ps 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-17, 25; Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9; Jn 18:1 19:42 Saturday: a) Gn 1:1 2:2 [1:1, 26-31a]; Ps 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12, 13-14, 24, 35; or Ps 33:4-7, 12-13, 20-22; b) Gn 22:1-18 [1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18]; Ps 16: 5, 8-11; c) Ex 14:15 15:1; Ex 15:1-6, 17-18; d) Is 54:5-14; Ps 30:2, 4-6, 11-13; e) Is 55:1-11; Is 12:2-6; f) Bar 3:9-15, 32 4:4; Ps 19:8-11; g) Ez 36:16-17a, 18-28; Ps 42:3, 5; 43:3-4 or Is 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6 or Ps 51:12-15, 18-19; h) Rom 6:3-11; i) Ps 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23; Lk 24:1-12 Sunday: Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Ps 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23; Col 3:1-4 or 1 Cor 5:6b-8; Jn 20:1-9 or Lk 24:1-12 We sell Gifts Cards in the parish office during weekly office hours and after the 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Masses on weekends. Remember, this program does not cost you anything. We receive 5% of every dollar sold. Try it, it s easy! Don t forget to purchase Macy s gift cards for birthdays, 1st Communion dresses, or those new Easter bonnets! Macy s gives us a 10% discount! Bible Study Groups at our parish will focus on The Gospel of John, beginning April 22 & April 24. These Bible Study Groups meet at the following times: Monday mornings, 10:00-11:30 a.m. in the Finnegan Room. Wednesday mornings, 10:00-11:30 a.m. in the Finnegan Room. Join anytime. If you are interested or have any questions, contact Larry Durback at 610-867-7424 x12 or email ldurback@gmail.com. An Adult Education Series entitled Catholic Spirituality, Lives of the Saints and the Sunday Gospel meets in the Finnegan Room on Sunday mornings, 8:30-9:50 a.m. The series includes videos of Bishop Robert Barron. Join anytime. If you are interested or have any questions, contact Larry Durback at 610-867-7424 x12 or email ldurback@gmail.com. THE STORY OF OUR REDEMPTION We begin the final week of Lent with these familiar readings. This year, we hear the Passion from the Gospel of Luke. These readings for Palm Sunday and the Passion used to be read on successive Sundays. Now they are combined into a single feast, so that we may see the whole sweep of the glory and the suffering played out. Jesus accepts the adulation of the crowd, the foreshadowing of his glory in the Resurrection. He bids farewell to his disciples in his last Passover, and forgives his tormentors as he dies on the cross. Later this week, we enter the Holy Triduum of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday, when the whole story of our redemption will play out once again.

PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD Today s Readings: Lk 19:28 40; Is 50:4 7; Ps 22:8 9, 17 18, 19 20, 23 24; Phil 2:6 11; Lk 22:14 23:56 [23:1 49] From the proclamation of the Gospel at the beginning of the liturgy, we know that today is different, not only because we hear two Gospel passages, or because we hold palms and process. Today begins Holy Week, a time set apart, a week in which to listen, pray, reflect, and take to heart the truth of Christ s passion, crucifixion, death, and ultimately, resurrection. It takes a week, and a lifetime, to truly hear the message of Christ s love. It is difficult for us to comprehend that Jesus willingly sacrificed himself, so we must hear the story again and again. Let this week be for us a new moment of faith in which we, together with the criminal who was crucified with Christ, cry out, Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. JESUS ANNOUNCES GOD S KINGDOM OF LOVE Jesus had walked, healed, forgiven sins, performed miracles, and eaten with the people. His message was simple yet profound: in Christ, the kingdom of God is at hand. Jesus announced God s kingdom of love, teaching all who would listen. In God s kingdom, the greatest is as the youngest; the leader is the servant. Those who follow Jesus are called to wash feet, attend to the last and the least, show mercy to the sinner, and love enemies. Even in the hour of his passion, Jesus did not turn away from his mission of love. He healed the ear of one who had come to arrest him, did not lash out at Pilate or Herod, consoled the women who wept, and forgave those who crucified him. He heard the cry of the criminal who called out to him from the cross, and promised him a place in Paradise. Jesus shows us that God s way is the way of love at all costs, even when it means giving more than we think appropriate or possible. WE SHARE CHRIST S MISSION Let us not be mistaken. Jesus mercy and forgiveness led him to the cross, and we who follow him will surely experience trial and be misunderstood in our determination to live as disciples. We will be called to make difficult decisions about the way we live our lives, serve others, give of our time and money, show patience, and favor those who are poor and vulnerable. Friends may turn away, family members may question our commitment to Christ above all else. Jesus remained singularly focused on God s will. And so must we. Jesus gave without counting the cost, and so must we. In Christ, we also have a mission of love. We, too, are called to stay focused on God s will. In this, we will announce God s kingdom and be assured of our place in it when Christ returns in glory. In this Holy Week, let us reflect deeply on the mystery of God s love for us in Christ and renew our commitment to live as Christian disciples in the world.

The Liturgy Board will be hosting a Fellowship Event and we would like to invite you to participate. It will be an evening of Fellowship, Food and Fun where we will have a lively discussion on the book: SHAKEN by Tim Tebow Discovering your true identify in the midst of life s storms. The event will be on Thursday, April 25 at 7 p.m. in the Coll Room. If you are interested, please read the book and contact Barb Paluszek at: 352-661-0878 or barbpaluszek@outlook.com if you can attend! NEW PARISHIONERS Welcome! Our parish family invites all of its members to participate fully in our spiritual and social life. Please contact the parish office to register. BAPTISMS Baptisms are scheduled in the parish office after receipt of sponsor certificates. Baptisms take place immediately following the 11:30 a.m. Sunday Mass. Contact the parish office at 610-867-7424 x10 at least six weeks in advance. Parents must attend a Baptismal Preparation Class. WEDDINGS Couples must contact the pastor at least 6 months prior to the wedding. BULLETIN All copy must be received in writing two Fridays prior to the intended Sunday publication. We reserve the right to edit all copy. All inserts must be received at least two weeks in advance. DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY April 28 PRAYER CHAIN Call Carol Herman at 610-838-1048 or email her at prayer@ealvinc.com and give her your name and intention. She will contact other parishioners participating in our Prayer Chain on your behalf. PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL The Council welcomes any comments or suggestions by parishioners. Please contact Jeanine Faust at faust2@epix.net this month. We will pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy after the 11:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, April 28. Mark your calendars to attend. The Chaplet will start around 12:30 p.m. and last 15 20 minutes. In preparation for Divine Mercy Sunday, you may also want to consider praying the Novena to The Divine Mercy. You would start the Novena on Good Friday and it would conclude on Divine Mercy Sunday. To ind the Divine Mercy Novena, go to www.thedivinemercy.org. PARISH MEMORIALS Following the death of a relative or friend, offerings may be made to the Church in loving memory of the deceased. The offerings may specify a particular request or placed in the Parish Memorial Endowment, The Parish Education Endowment, or the Health Ministry Endowment. Our website: www.assumptionbethlehem.com