Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

February 7, 2016 Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Dear Friends, As you now know, Lent is (amazingly!) almost completely upon us, beginning on Ash Wednesday, February 10! It is probably one of the earliest Lents we have had in the calendar year. Praise God, there are actually many excellent Catholic spiritual resources available now to aid us in our Lenten journey. One of the best I have discovered of late is those found at www.dynamiccatholic.com (which is founded by popular Catholic author and speaker Matthew Kelly.) With that in mind, I am encouraging you, good parishioners and readers of this column, to participate actively in the: Best Lent Ever Have you ever had a memorable Lent? More im- The message? Don t give up chocolate this Lentportantly, have you ever had a life-changing Lent? To find out and actually have a life-changing Lent, go to: www.dynamiccatholic.com/lent and sign up for it! You can also receive a free copy of the wonderful book by Matthew Kelly, Rediscover Jesus. Let us pray for one another, that we may indeed have truly our Best Lent Ever as we invest in our spiritual lives, build up the Body of Christ, and thus deepen our relationship with God in this Jubilee Year of Mercy - Peace in Jesus, Fr. Collin An Invitation You are invited to take a few quiet moment this Lent. During your hustle and Bustle there is someone who wishes to be present for you. Come spend some time in the quiet of the church with Christ. When: Tuesdays and Fridays, in particular, from 7-8:20am St Mary Church has Christ exposed for you in Adoration. No supplies are needed only yourself. what is needed.a desire to sit in solitude and quiet for even just a few minutes.. Unsure what to do at Adoration? Kneel when entering the pew to honor the King who is there before you. If you want.give praise for the Mercy and Love and Creation from God. Ask for the mercy that is there for you. Give thanks for anything and everything..say a prayer for your day. Matthew Kelly, the fourth of eight boys, he was raised Catholic, but was restless and discontent in his faith until his later years, when a family friend encouraged him to look deeper. This family friend, asked him to spend ten minutes each day in a church in prayer. He now is an author, father, businessman and founder of Dynamic Catholic. A company that produces teaching materials and publishes books to help everyone understand the genius of Catholicism. Please join us for Catholic Lobby Night on Tuesday, February 9, 2016. See the bulletin insert for more details. For carpool information please contact Patti Jones (301) 992-2123

SVDP St. Vincent de Paul Reflections: April 23, 1833, Frederic Ozanam s twentieth birthday, six students met in the office of their mentor Emmanuael Bailly, and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul was born. They resolved to respond to Christ s call by dedicating themselves to the poor after the example of St. Vincent de Paul. They asked Sister Rosalie Rendu, a Daughter of Charity, for the names and addresses of several families in need. Sr. Rosalie was known as The Mother of the Poor in the Mouffetard Quarter of Paris. She taught Frederic much about the poor and how to minister to them with love and respect. The first members of the Society were determined not only to bring bread, but, above all, friendship to the poor. (US Manual of the SSVDP, p.179) Any one suffering through a hardship is invited to please contact the St. Vincent de Paul Society to try and assist any some way. Phone 301-739-0390 ext. 124 Volunteer Help Needed If you can help one Sunday a month selling our beautiful religious articles. Please call Sandi King at 301-790-3118 (leave a message) or email her at sjms1812@gmail.com or contact the Parish Blessings to all of you from Micah s Backpack Committee! Due to your generosity, we are now sponsoring 15 children for the remaining of the school year. We continue to ask for your help in providing the needed following items: Regular size canned or microwavable soup tomato, chicken noodle, and vegetable Fruit cups or squeezable applesauce Libby s microwavable vegetable cups Small boxes of juice Beanie Weenies Mac n cheese cups Jello cups Peanut butter or cheese crackers Thanks so much for your support! ALL LITURGICAL MINISTERS: Please send your availability for the months of March, April, and May, (INCLUDING HOLY WEEK AND EASTER) to Trevor Rowland no later than Monday, February 8 th. Contact trowland@saintmarysonline.org or 301-739-0390 x119 Pro Life Quote : Only you can be you. God designed each of us so there would be no duplication in the world. No one has the exact same mix of factors that make you unique. That means no one else on earth will ever be able to play the role God planned for you. If you don t make your unique contribution to the Body of Christ, it won t be made. - Rick Warren Holy Inspirations : If you wish to go to extremes, let it be in sweetness, patience, humility, and in charity. St. Philip Neri Divine Mercy: Today the Lord said to me, I have opened My Heart as a Living Fountain of Mercy. Let all souls draw life from it. Let them approach this Sea of Mercy with great trust. Sinners will attain justification, and the just will be confirmed in good. Whoever places his trust in My Mercy will be filled with My Divine Peace at the hour of death. (St. Faustina s Diary, #1520) During this Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy declared by Pope Francis, we are praying the DI- VINE MERCY CHAPLET for our Church, our family and friends, and for the WHOLE WORLD on M-Sat. at 7:45 AM at the Communion rail of St. Mary Church. If you can t make it, you can still pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet at home, in the car, or wherever and unite your prayer with ours. What a powerful way to pray in Communion for our world!!!

It s Baaa-----ck! SCRIP gift card sales to benefit St. Mary Home School Association. Who is HSA? HSA is the Parent and Teacher Association at St Mary School. They help to offset costs for things that tuition does not cover. In the past this has included air conditioning units for the classrooms, Student Appreciation Day surprises for the children, buses for field trips, an-------d supplies for the classroom. What: Purchase gift cards to use at Martin s or Weis Grocery stores. They work the same as cash and cost the face value of the card. $25, $50 and $100 cards will be available. A percentage of the sales from the gift cards benefit the HSA. For example: 4 percent of the sales of the Martin s cards go back into the HSA fund. If there is a demand for other stores we can arrange to offer them as well. When: The first Sunday of every month after 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 am mass starting on February 7, 2016. Where: Parish Center/Fatima Hall (location subject to change). Why: To benefit our teachers and students of St Mary School. If you have any questions, please contact Kevin Buckley or Beth Budny-Buckley at kevin.buckley52@gmail.com or 240-625-2943. Thank you for your help and support! SCHOOL NEWS Pre-K Story Time will be held on the following dates at Noon. Join Mrs. Stark and Sister Aloysius for a story, activity, and snack. This is a free activity but a parent must accompany the child. SMCS Pre-K Story Time Dates. Call to reserve your space to Rachel O Connor 301-733-1184. 2016 February 17 RSVP by Feb. 12 March 9 RSVP by March 7 April 13 RSVP by April 11 1/24/2016 St. Mary Reg. collection $606.00 1/31/2016 St. Mary Regular Collection $11,528.53 Online Giving 1,736.00 Fuel 2,195.72 Total $11,288.53 School Support $30.00 *Poor Box 136.68 Other 216.00 Total $382.68 Amount Needed** $15,239 **This is the amount of weekly collection that would allow St. Mary/St. Michael to break even for fiscal year 2015 *Not used for St. Mary/St. Michael operating expenses 1/31/2016 St. Michael Attendance Reg. Coll. $844.75 Fuel 10.00 Total $854.75 Amount Needed** $749 **This is the amount of weekly collection that would allow St. Mary/St. Michael to break even for fiscal year 2015 *Not used for St. Mary/St. Michael operating expenses The collection for February 10, Ash Wednesday is for Eastern Europe. It is a Holy Day of Obligation. Next week s second collection is for School Support. Thank you for your continued generosity!

Feb 12 Catholic Daughters Soup Mac and Cheese, salad & bread Children s Stations Feb 19 Soup Mac and Cheese, salad & bread Feb 26 Soup Mac and Cheese, salad & bread Mar 4 Soup Mac and Cheese, salad & bread Mar 11 Youth Group Fish Sandwich, Peirogie, & Cole slaw Mar 18 CCD Past Supper, (McCarters special homemade sauce ) Salad

St. Mary Catholic Church 2016 Lenten Calendar Ash Wednesday, February 10: Masses at 6:30 am, 8:30 am, 10:30 am (School Mass) and 7:30 pm Meatless Suppers: Fridays, February 12 (soup), 19 (soup), and 26 (soup), and March 4, (soup) 11 (fish sandwich and pierogies), 18 (meatless pasta night) Pangborn Hall, 5:45 7:00 pm Stations of the Cross: Fridays, February 12, 19 and 26; March 11 and 18 at 2:00 pm for St. Mary School Fridays, February 12, 19 and 26; March 4, 11, 18 and 25 at 7:30 pm *February 12 will be Children s Stations and March 18 will be 7:30 pm Living Stations* Penance: -March 4 th -March 5 th, 3pm to 3pm: Archdiocese of Baltimore: 24 Hours for the Lord at St. John s (Frederick) and National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (Emmitsburg) -Tuesday, March 15 th, 7-9 pm: Regional Penance Service at St. Ann (1525 Oak Hill Ave.) HOLY WEEK March 20, Palm Sunday: normal Masses, 5:15 pm Vigil, 8 am, 9:30 am, 11 am and 12:50 pm March 23: 7:30 pm Tenebrae March 24, Holy Thursday: 8:30 am Morning Prayer; no 6:30 or 8:30 am Mass 7:30 pm Mass of the Lord s Supper (Communion under both forms), followed by Eucharistic Adoration, with 11:45 pm Night Prayer and Benediction March 25, Good Friday: 8:30 am Morning Prayer; no 6:30 or 8:30 am Mass; 3 pm Liturgy with Veneration of the Cross and 7:30 pm Stations of the Cross March 26, Holy Saturday: 8:30 am Morning Prayer; no 8:30 am Mass; no confessions; 7:30 pm Easter Vigil Candlelight Mass March 27: Easter Sunday, normal Sunday Masses, 8 am, 9:30 am, 11 am and 12:50 pm St. Michael Catholic Church 2016 Lenten Calendar Stations of the Cross: Fridays, February 12, 19, and 26; March 4, 11, 18 and 25 at 7 pm HOLY WEEK March 20, Palm Sunday: 10:30 am Mass March 25, Good Friday: 3 pm Liturgy with Veneration of the Cross and 7 pm Stations of the Cross March 27: Easter Sunday, 10:30 am Mass

7 pm 8:20 pm Monday: John 4: 4-15 The Enounter Tuesday: Jn 4: 16-28 The Conversion Wednesday: Jn 4: 29- The Mission FEBRUARY 15-17 WELL OF MERCY: Meditations on JOHN 4 & the Mission of the New Evangelization Come to the WELL OF MERCY! A LENTEN PARISH MISSION Fr. Robert Schreiner will lead a 3-night meditation on the Gospel of John s story of the woman at the well. Drawing inspiration from the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman, Fr. Schreiner will speak of its meaning for a better understanding of what is meant by The New Evangelization in the Church and its central call to encounter Divine Mercy in our lives. ST. MARY S CHURCH 224 W Washington St Hagerstown, MD www.stmarysonline.org Mon., Tues. & Wed 7pm 8:20 pm

Politics is one of the highest forms of charity because it seeks the common good. -Pope Francis Catholic Lobby Night February 9, 2016 3-8 p.m. Have you ever wanted to weigh in on the decisions your elected officials make on issues important to you as a Catholic? If so, come to the 32nd Catholic Lobby Night in Annapolis, and share with legislators the joyful news of the Gospel lived out through the works of our Catholic ministries, charities, hospitals, schools, parishes and communities! We will brief you on the relevant issues considered by the General Assembly from a faith perspective, provide shuttles for your visits to your legislators offices, and host a reception for all members of the General Assembly with our Bishops and other Church leaders. Sign up today! Briefings: Registration: St. John Neumann Mission Church 620 N. Bestgate Road, Annapolis 21403 (3-4:30 p.m.) Event and reception are free but registration is required: www.mdcatholic.org/lobbynight Meetings and Reception: House and Senate Legislative Office Buildings Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis (Shuttles available; 4:30-8 p.m.) Questions? Mariann Hughes or Chris Santo 410-269-1155 or 301-261-1979 mhughes@mdcatholic.org; chris@mdcatholic.org 10 Francis Street Annapolis, MD 21401 www.mdcatholic.org

For Husbands and Wives! CHERISH Retreat Love One Another has been planned for the both of you! Sat, Feb 13th 1:00 9:30pm @ St Mary Catholic Church 224 West Washington Street Hagerstown, MD 21740 Marriage reflection and Vigil Mass celebrated by Archbishop William E. Lori with Fr. Collin Poston and Fr. Brian Nolan Opportunities for Confession Prayer and Eucharistic Adoration Married Couple s Personal Reflection / Testimony Reception dinner and more RSVP by Feb 8 at cherishcouples.net or by calling (301) 797-6493

February 8 14, 2016 Day Date Mass Mass Intention Mon. 2/8 6:30 Thomas Fortenbaugh 8:30 Special Intentions of Leo Ortiz Holy Mass Intentions Tues. 2/9 6:30 Robert L. Grimsley 8:30 Special Intentions of Agnes & Tommy Gregg Wed. 2/10 6:30 Special Intentions of Erik Davis 8:30 Bill Hudson Thurs. 2/11 6:30 Special Intentions of Michael Fahey 8:30 Poor Souls Fri. 2/12 6:30 Robert Bruce Brine 8:30 Alex Kwak Sat. 2/13 8:30 Legion of Mary Intentions 5:15 Special Intentions of Catherine Hudson & dec d husband, Bill Sun. 2/14 8:00 Kanya Choonit 9:30 In Honor of St. Joseph 11:00 Special Intentions of the Lafollette Family Latin Mass 12:50 Thomas Nowawieski St. Michael 10:30 Parish Members & Benefactors Readings for February 7 14, 2016 Sunday 2/7 Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8 / 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 / Luke 5:1-11 Monday 2/8 St. Jerome Emiliani; St. Josephine Bakhita, Virgin 1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13 / Mark 6:53--56 Tuesday 2/9 The Presentation of the Lord 1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30/ Mark 7:1-13 Wednesday 2/10 Ash Wednesday 2 Corinthians 5:20 6:2 / Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 Thursday 2/11 Thursday after Ash Wednesday Our Lady of Lourdes World Day of the Sick Deuteronomy 30:15-20 / Luke 9:22-25 Friday 2/12 Friday after Ash Wednesday Isaiah 58:1-9a / Matthew 9:14-15 Saturday 2/13 Saturday after Ash Wednesday Isaiah 58:9b-14 / Luke 5:27-32 Sunday 2/14 First Sunday of Lent Deuteronomy 26:4-10 / Romans 10:8-13 / Luke 4:1-13 Please pray for the souls of Sister Suzanne Moore (January 23, 2016) who served at St. Mary School from 1947-1971; Joan Durand, wife of John (deceased); and Jim Colombo, husband of Jodi. May they rest in the Peace of Christ!

Father, Ask the Priest I say some prayers that suggest I should bless God. How can we bless our creator? I am not sure what specific prayers you are talking about so let us look at some more common prayers. In the Our Father, we prayer hallowed be Thy Name. The word, hallow, means to make or be holy. In his Gettysburg address, Abraham Lincoln says regarding the cemetery to be consecrated, But in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead who struggled here have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. When we pray the Our Father, we are not adding any thing to God s holiness but by praying this prayer we are reminding ourselves how holy God s name is. When we pray, hallowed be thy name, we are not asking for an increase in God holiness (which is impossible God is Holy, Holy, Holy, i.e. the HOLIEST) but we are asking that God s name be made holy IN US. People who use the Lord s name in vain do not damage or hurt God; they only degrade themselves and hurt their relationship with God. That is why using the name of the Lord in vain is a sin. We pray Hallowed be Thy Name not to make God holier but to make ourselves holier. Psalm 103 begins Bless the LORD, my soul; all my being, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, my soul; and do not forget all his gifts, Who pardons all your sins, and heals all your ills. The word benediction or blessing, come from two Latin words bene and dicere, i.e. well said. We bless the Lord not for His benefit but for ours so that we may remember how wonderful, how holy, how deep is God s love for us. We pray in this manner so that we may become more like God by remembering His holiness. Knights of Columbus Corner New council website for keeping informed of council news: www.kofc1365.org Every practical Catholic man over the age of 18 should become a Knight. We need your help. Speak with a Knight about joining our order. Brotherhood Council Meetings 2nd & 4th Thursdays at 8pm in the Council Hall. Our Worthy Past Grand Knight for 2014-2015 is Cel Shannon. For information, please contact Cel Shannon at cel_s67@hotmail.com. Bingo Bingo Bingo. Every Tuesday at the Knights of Columbus Hall (20340 Leitersburg Pike, Hagerstown, MD 21742) Starting at 6:45 pm we conduct 34 bingo games for the public. All Bingo Tuesdays will be HALF PRICE on regular games during the month of February! Please join us and have fun. Attention Ladies! Would you like to promote Catholic fellowship, participate in charitable activities & support the works for the Knights? The Ladies Auxiliary wants you. For membership information, contact Darlene Shannon at 301-797-0324. The Sister City Affiliation with the help of the Knights of Columbus is sponsoring "BEST OF THE WURST", a German sausage and German Beer tasting. Event is 2/21 3pm at 20348 Leitersburg Pike (snow date 2/28). Advance tickets required $20 PP. Contact Connie Lenhart @ 301-791-3533. Annual Italian Night is coming 2/13. Contact Joe Ceci or Fred Nugent to help with setup, cooking, serving and clean up for this event.