DIOCESAN VICTIM ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church 4101 Old Bethlehem Pike, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 18015 610-867-7424 - www.assumptionbethlehem.com 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 Meditations on the Stations 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 YOUR STEWARDSHIP IS THE SOURCE OF OUR GROWTH March 17-18, 2018 collection total will be in next week s bulletin. Thank you for your support and generosity. The statement printed above expresses the gratitude felt in response to the generosity of the people of Assumption parish. For it is your weekly contributions that 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, March 26, 2018 10:00 a.m. Bible Study Finnegan Room 6:30 p.m. Bible Study Finnegan Room 7:00 p.m. Contemporary Ensb. Practice Church Tuesday, March 27, 2018 9:00 a.m. Women s Bible Study Jubilee Center 6:30 p.m. We The Living Group Finnegan Rm. Wednesday, March 28, 2018 10:00 a.m. Bible Study Finnegan Room 7:00 p.m. RCIA Finnegan Room 7:00 p.m. Choir Rehearsal Church Thursday, March 29, 2018 7:00 p.m. Lord s Supper Mass Church Friday, March 30, 2018 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, March 31, 2018 11:00 a.m. Confessions Church 12:00 p.m. Easter Food Basket Blessing Church 8:00 p.m. Easter Vigil Church Sunday, April 1, 2018 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, March 30, after the 3 p.m. service to 5 p.m. and Saturday, March 31, 11 a.m. to noon. Holy Thursday, March 29 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 ministries 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, March 30: 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. and will include musical reflections by Dennis and Kate Varley. Holy Saturday, March 31: 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) 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, March 29. Easter Sunday, April 1: 7:30 a.m. Mass in the church 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Masses in the Hanlon Center 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, you must tell the celebrant before Mass if you need to receive the precious blood. DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY April 8 We will pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy after the 11:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, April 8. 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

www.st-mikes.com Mrs. Colleen Weiss, Principal Mrs. Erin Faust, Assistant Principal Nurturing Students. Challenging Minds. Inspiring Faith-Filled Leaders. On behalf of the faculty, staff and board of St. Michael the Archangel School, we congratulate all of our 8th grade students that received Confirmation at St. Joseph's Church and the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church. Our hope is that each and every one of you become soldiers of your Catholic faith. Kindergarten Registration & Screening Kindergarten is the foundation for building a love of learning and school. At St. Michael the Archangel 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 2018 Kindergarten class. Please contact our Advancement Office at 610-867 -8422 x17 for information or to arrange a tour. COME JOIN US AT OUR BIGGEST FUNDARAISER! We will be holding our annual Night of Knights event on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at DeSales University. This year s celebration will include a Casino Night, as well as live and silent auctions. If you are interested in attending, contact Marianne Gano at mgano@stmikes.com or 610-867-8422. INTERESTED IN RAFFLE TICKETS? There will be a Raffle as part of Night of Knights Event sponsored by the Board of St. Michael the Archangel School for one full TUITION for one student of St. Michael the Archangel School OR Half the value in CASH. Tickets are $20. Contact the Advancement office if interested in purchasing tickets. You do not have to be present to win! We ask for prayers for our 40 First Communion candidates who will celebrate this Sacrament on April 14. 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. We congratulate our 64 parish teens who confirmed their faith and were strengthened by the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation March 20. We thank their catechists: Tanya Korpics, Christina Durback, Noelle Cybulski, Nancy O Keeke, Caren Richards, Lisa Niescier and teen aide Michael for their help in preparing our Confirmands for this Sacrament. From our newly confirmed parishioners: Thank you to all who assisted in our preparation for the celebration of our Confirmation on March 20. To our parents, our first teachers in faith, our sponsors, our PREP and St. Michael School administration and catechists, thank you for your sincere efforts to lead us in discovering the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. To Bishop Schlert, we are grateful for your service as the shepherd of our diocese, and for administering the Sacrament of Confirmation to us. To Monsignor Klinger, thank you for your devoted pastoral leadership of our community. Father Buckley, Father Benoy, Deacon Don and Deacon Stu, thank you for assisting at our Confirmation liturgy and for your faithful service to God s people. Dr. Varley and choir members, thank you for helping us lift our minds and hearts to God in music and prayer during the Confirmation liturgy. To the parishioners who supported us by praying for us and those who helped with the social following Confirmation by setting up, donating food and drink, serving and cleaning up, thank you for adding joy to our celebration. May the God bless you all! ABVM PREP is collecting noodles and rice during April for St. Paul s and Betty Lou s Food Banks. Any other nonperishable items are also appreciated. Bring your donations to the middle school building.

Monday, March 26: Monday of Holy Week 8:15 a.m. Ann LoFaso Tuesday, March 27: Tuesday of Holy Week 8:15 a.m. Donald Pyle Wed., March 28: Wednesday of Holy Week 8:15 a.m. Angelina Bisco Thursday, March 29: Holy Thursday No Morning Mass 7:00 p.m. Celebrant s Intention Friday, March 30: Good Friday No Morning Mass 3:00 p.m. Commemoration of the Lord s Passion 7:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross Saturday, March 31: Holy Saturday No Morning Mass 12:00 p.m. Easter Food Blessing Vigil 8:00pm Easter Flower Intentions Sunday, April 1: 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, 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: Chrism Mass: Is 61:1-3a, 6a, 8b-9; Ps 89:21-22, 25, 27; Rv 1:5-8; Lk 4:16-21 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; b) Gn 22:1-18, 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; Mk 16:1-7 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 Mk 16:1-7 Please come and say the Rosary after the 8:15 a.m. morning Mass this Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week. The morning group will meet in front pews before the tabernacle. There will be an evening recitation of the Rosary on Thursday, April 12 at 6:30 p.m. 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! Are you going out for a 1st Eucharistic Celebration? Consider buying gift cards for Bell Hall Restaurant, Red Robin, or Copperhead Grille! We have gift cards in the parish office. Betty Lou's Pantry is in need of donations for Easter meals for the patrons. Please consider a donation of $25 which would cover the cost of a ham and a pie. Another idea is to buy a gift card to Giant or Weis and donate it to Betty Lou s Pantry! Donations can be made on-line on their website: bettylouspantry.com or can be mailed to: Betty Lou's Pantry P.O. Box 460, Coopersburg, PA, 18036. Please write "Easter Meal" on your check. There are preprinted envelopes at the entrances of the church for your convenience. Our best wishes go out Alessandra Lucia Rivera and Lucas Angelo Rivera who were brought into our faith through Baptism on Sunday, March 17, 2018. May they carry their newly acquired Christian dignity through this life and into the next. Please pray for the repose of the soul of Rocco Zulli who passed away. May the angels lead him into paradise, may the martyrs come to welcome him and lead him to the Holy City, the new and eternal Jerusalem.

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord Today s Readings: Is 50:4 7; Ps 22:8 9, 17 18, 19 20, 23 24; Phil 2:6 11; Mk 14:1 15:47 [15:1 39] Today we prepare to commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus. Isaiah reminds us of the suffering that Jesus will endure. He says Jesus will not be disgraced or put to shame, but we know that there will be humiliation at the hands of others. The psalm recalls the fear and sorrow as we repeat over and over Jesus words of anguish and abandonment. Philippians describes Jesus humility and the exaltation that will follow. But it is Mark who takes us through the last days of Jesus life, the ordinary and the extraordinary. He describes the meal shared with the one who will betray him; his anguished prayers with friends who cannot stay awake and will later deny him; his treatment at the hands of priests, elders, soldiers; and finally his death and the recognition that truly Jesus is the Son of God. PASSION The contrast between the processional reading in today s liturgy and the proclamation of the Passion is striking. We are given a glimpse of how profoundly the word of God is fulfilled in Jesus. First he must be hailed as the Messiah, the One who is to come. He must be acknowledged by all, though they do not know what they are saying. They think he is the promised king, a worldly king of the Jews who will free them from the Roman occupation. They do not yet understand, even the disciples, exactly where this triumphal procession is leading. In our lives, we too do not know where we are going. It is in faith that we can follow Christ wherever he may lead us, trusting that death is not the end, nor evil the victor. TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION For many centuries, Christian pilgrims have longed to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, and on Passion Sunday the eyes of the world are on the Via Dolorosa, the Road of Sorrows, in Jerusalem. As soon as it became safe for Christians to worship in public in the fourth century, a way was marked out. It was changed a few times over the years, and today s usual route was sketched by the Franciscans six hundred years ago, although Anglicans and Byzantines have their own unique detours. Friday is the most favored day, although it is crowded then. Almost everyone begins at the Lion s Gate in the Muslim Quarter, and ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It s less than a quarter mile, but it threads its way through crowded markets with souvenir shops and fast-food snacks. There are, just as in your parish church, fourteen stations along the way. The exact spots are not known, but what matters is the pilgrim s unique ability to see even an ordinary road in a teeming city as something more than meets the eye. Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co.

BOOK DISCUSSION Easter Fellowship Event Invitation (CHANGE): As announced in previous bulletins, the Liturgy Board will be hosting a Fellowship Event. One of our parishioners donated the book, RESISTING HAPPINESS by Matthew Kelly. This is a true story about why we sabotage ourselves, feel overwhelmed, set aside our dreams, and lack the courage to simply be ourselves and how to start choosing happiness again! As a result, of this generous donation, we have decided to shift the book for our discussion. We will do SHAKEN by Tim Tebow at a future Fellowship Event. This Event will be an evening of Fellowship, Food and Fun and we would like to invite you to participate on 5 April at 7 PM in the Coll Room. If you are interested please contact Barb Paluszek at: (H) 610 366 9818 or email: paluszbj@airproducts.com. Hope 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 on the first, second AND third Sunday of each month immediately following the 11:30 a.m. 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. 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. Attention Scouts! 2018 Catholic Scouting Activity Weekend Catholic Boy Scouts who are working on their Religious Emblems are required to attend this "retreat" Activity Weekend, although Scouts do not have to be working on their award to attend, in fact we invite all Catholic Boy Scouts to come and have fun with great food, fellowship, and Mass. Registration and info. can be found at www.adccos.org/bsr.htm. Any adults attending must have all Diocesan clearances. The registration deadline is Saturday, March 31, 2018. Please email info@adccos.org with any questions. 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