Fr. Bob Remark, Pastor Parish Mission. This weekend, we welcome Bob Rice to our parish, who will lead us in three evenings of reflection focused on the faith, and weakness of Peter, the Apostle, as well as the saving power of Jesus for Peter, and for us! You will not want to miss these Spirit-filled talks at the beginning of the Lenten season. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evenings, we gather from 7:00 to 8:30pm, here at Holy Family. Lent 2017. As Patty suggested in last week s bulletin cover article, there are many websites, to which we can register for excellent Lenten reflections. For those who have access to these, please give them consideration. My favourites include, Bishop Robert Barron, on the website Word on Fire, and the material offered through Dynamic Catholic, with Matthew Kelly. May I suggest that when using any reflection material, that you not make it only an intellectual exercise, but also one through which you allow the living God to touch your heart and soul. This would invite you to pause, when a word or phrase catches your attention. Then to ask the Lord, what do you want to say to me through this or these words. Pastor: Fr. Bob Remark Parochial Vicar: Fr. Seejo John Permanent Deacons: Deacon John Vallely, Deacon George Sebok, Deacon Henry Kling Pastoral Minister: Heather Cushing ext. 260 Coordinator of Youth Ministry: Patty Coenen ext. 258 Business Administrator: Tom Boone ext. 224 Secretaries: Kelly Wilson ext. 201, Sheila O Brien ext. 222 Bookkeeper: Anne Sanderson ext. 229 Building & Property Coordinator: Steve Baldinelli ext. 261 Come as you are, and you will be loved. Responding to the call of Jesus, we will transform the world. Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ February 26, 2017 The reflection offered by Bernadette Gasslein, for Ash Wednesday, in the March issue of Living with Christ, vol. 23, no. 3, informs the mind and heart of the hopes for the Lenten season: The Jubilee Year of Mercy finished in November and now, just three months later, God s mercy is front and centre again in the Entrance Antiphon: You are merciful to all, O Lord, and despise nothing that you have made. Lest we forget God s mercy, each Lent offers a mini-jubilee that calls us to remember God s mercy to us, to open ourselves to that mercy, and to pass it on to our sisters and brothers. Far from being a time of penance imposed, Lent is a time of receiving God s gift: You have given your children a sacred time for the renewing and purifying of their hearts (Preface II of Lent). Yes that is the remarkable thing about God s mercy. We don t earn it: it arises from the womb of God, suggesting God s profound attachment to us, God s instinctive tenderness to us. In short, the compassionate divine presence. Praying, Have mercy, O Lord, for we have sinned, we evoke God s attachment to us and let God renew intimacy with us. That renewal works only if it also renews our bonds with others. Today s liturgy cautions us that the only display of renewal that matters is being merciful as the Father is merciful. To help us become ambassadors of reconciliation, the season asks us to fast from food and fury; share ourselves and our riches; and pray for our world. Sunday Eucharist: Saturday 5:00 p.m., Sunday 8:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Cont d on page # 2 Weekday Eucharist: Tues. at 6:30 p.m.; Wed., Thurs., & Fri., at 10a.m. Sacrament of Reconciliation: Every Saturday, 11a.m. - 12 p.m. Anointing of the Sick: First Tuesday or Wednesday of each month at weekday Mass or by appointment Eucharistic Exposition & Benediction : First Wednesday of the month. Baptism: Please contact the office in advance for a preparation program. Marriage: Contact the parish priests at the office a year in advance. Catholic Women s League : Mary Van Dyk, President (519) 473-1258 St. Vincent de Paul: Colleen Jones, President (519) 472-0057 X300 Knights of Columbus: Chuck Lutchin - Grand Knight (519) 709-6752 Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Address: 777 Valetta St. London ON N6H 2Y9 Tel: 519-472-0057 or 519-660-2920 Fax: 519-472-4758 Email: hfparish@dol.ca Website: www.holyfamilylondon.ca Parish Facebook Account: http://facebook.com/holyfamilyparishyouth Parish Twitter Account: @hfparishlondon
Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ February 26, 2017 Readings for March 5, 2017 The First Sunday of Lent First Reading: Genesis 2.7-9, 16-18, 25; 3.1-7++ Psalm: Psalm 51.1-2, 3-4a, 10-11, 12+15 (R.1a+4a) Second Reading: Romans 5.12-19 Gospel: Matthew 4.1-11 Fr. Bob s Message cont d... Every Friday during Lent, with the exception of Good Friday, there will be Eucharistic Adoration, following the 10:00am mass until Benediction, following the moving devotion of the Stations of the Cross, at 7:00pm. This is a wonderful time to spend with Jesus, and for him to spend time with us. This would be an excellent penance for Lent. A time for changing our hearts; a time for bringing us deep peace. The Knights of Columbus Fish Fry Dinner has been CANCELLED for Friday, March 17th due to unforeseen circumstances. Join us on Fri., May 12th for our next scheduled Fish Fry. The Knights of Columbus Elimination Draw will be held on Saturday, April 29th in the All Saints Hall. The evening will run from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. For only $20.00 per ticket there will be entertainment, a light buffet and you will be entered into the draw. There will also be a cash bar. Proceeds will go to support the Knights of Columbus Charitable Causes. Prizes are awarded as follows: Last Ticket Drawn wins $1000.00 2nd last ticket drawn wins $500.00 3rd last ticket drawn wins $100.00 The first ticket drawn and every 50th ticket wins $50.00. Only 400 tickets will be sold.your attendance is not required to win. Admission is by ticket only. Tickets will be available in the Mother of Peace Room after all Masses and by emailing kofc.eliminationdraw@gmail.com Audio-Video Equipment - Last week, we became aware that one of our parish laptop computers, patch cords, and sound equipment were stolen from the Mother of Peace Room. If anyone has any information about this incident, we would be happy to hear from you. Having said that, we will purchase replacement equipment. In addition, from now on, all audio-visual equipment will be stored in a locked room in our offices and a request will need to be made to access this equipment as well as an equipment register be signed out and in. This includes laptop computers and microphones used in all of our meeting rooms. Can we assist you in hearing Mass? If so, please request a set of head-phones prior to the beginning of Mass from an usher or Pastoral Minister. The system that we have is a Phonic Ear PE560T programmed for Ch. 32 75.975 Mhz. We Welcome through the Waters of Baptism James Jason, child of Kathryn & Jason Dechene Jackson Richard Alexander, child of Heather & Brenden McIntosh We pray for the deceased of our parish Dennis O Connor, Olivia Grace Rigg, Carol Hitchen, Joe Soares, & Sarah Walker The Catholic Women s League Brother Blaise Bake Sale was a huge success, surpassing our goal. Thank you to all who took the time to bake at the parish or at home and to all parishioners for your support at the sale. We are most grateful! World Day of Prayer - Friday, March 3rd at 2:00 p.m. This year s theme is The Philippines - Am I Being Unfair to You? Holy Family s C.W.L. is hosting this year at our parish. All are welcome to join us! Penance During Lent a)the Church encourages a follower of Christ to do penance. While the heart of penance is hatred for sin as an offence against God, external forms of penance are required to deepen and encourage the internal virtue. b) Fridays are days of abstinence from meat, but Catholics may substitute special acts of charity or piety on this day. c) In the Roman Rite, including in Canada, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fasting and of abstinence from meat. Christian fasting obtains its full meaning when we deprive ourselves of food in order to be more open to prayer, to share more in the suffering of those who are starving and to save money to give to the poor. Fasting is a penitential discipline intended to open our hearts to God and others, a means of purification and spiritual liberation, a witness of the depths of our faith. d) The law of abstinence from meat binds those who are 14 and older; the law of fasting binds those from 18 to 59 years of age. Parents and educators are reminded of their duty to introduce children gradually to the understanding and practice of penance. Adult example will be the greatest influence in this matter. (Taken from the Liturgical Calendar with Guidelines for Pastoral Liturgy, ORDO 2016-2017 2017, CCCB, pp.50-51)
Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ February 26, 2017 Mass Intentions for Feb. 28th - Mar. 3rd Tues., Feb. 28 6:30 p.m. Wed., Mar. 1 Ash Wednesday 7:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Thurs., Mar. 2 10:00 a.m. Fri., Mar. 3 10:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. Jeanne Wilcox requested by the Wilcox Family Mary Finnigan requested by Mary Cauchi Anthony Francis requested by Murray & Joan Simpson Ash Wednesday Mass Art Potvin requested by Edgar & Rosina Hooper Michael Fenik requested by Harriet McEachen Carmela Martini requested by the Sorenson Family Ash Wednesday Service with St. Marguerite d Youville & St. Thomas More Schools Ash Wednesday Service with Notre Dame & St. Paul Schools Ash Wednesday Services at Horizon Place & Chelsey Park Ash Wednesday Mass David Lederman requested by the Knights of Columbus Eylene Martin requested by Sr. Stephanie Rettinger Betty Brennan requested by Florence Rivest Vic Zciznek requested by Veronica Richard John Damen requested by the Catholic Women s League Mass followed by Exposition Denis & Angela Walsh requested by the Walsh Family Bob Wilson requested by Margaret Wilson Prayer for Vocations Stations of the Cross Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament Share Lent - On Ash Wednesday, Development & Peace - Caritas Canada will launch its 50th annual Share Lent campaign, entitled Women at the Heart of Change. Since the organization s founding in 1967, money donated annually by Catholics during Share Lent provides essential support to the poorest populations of Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Today, Development ant Peace supports 173 partners and 194 projects in 46 countries around the world! You can make Share Lent a part of your family s Lenten journey by using the Solidarity Calendar which can be found on the insert of this weekend s bulletin. This year, the Share Lent collection will take place on April 2nd which is Solidarity Sunday. Share Lent envelopes will be provided on the weekend of March 25th & 26th. Coming Events For the Week of February 27th - Mar. 5th Sunday, Feb. 26 - The 6:30 p.m. Mass is at 12:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m.: Parish Mission - Church Monday, Feb. 27 9:30 a.m.: Ontario Early Years Program - All Saints Hall 1:30 p.m.: Quilters - Mother of Peace Room 1:30 p.m.: Prayer Shawl - St. Mary Magdalene Room 7:00 p.m.: Parish Mission - Church Tuesday, Feb. 28 10:00 a.m.: Holy Strollers - St. John Paul II Room 10:00 a.m.: Hope Comforters - St. Mary Magdalene Room 7:00 p.m.: Parish Mission - Church 8:30 p.m.: Parish Mission Social - All Saints Hall Wednesday, Mar. 1 - Ash Wednesday 1:00 p.m.: Cards - Mother of Peace Room Thursday, Mar. 2 6:00 p.m.: ALPHA - All Saints Hall 7:00 p.m.: Bible Study - St. Mary Magdalene Room 7:00 p.m.: Traditional Choir - Church Friday, Mar. 3 3:00 p.m.: Divine Mercy Devotion - Church 7:00 p.m.: Stations of the Cross - Church Saturday, Mar. 4 8:00 a.m.: ALPHA Holy Spirit Day - All Saints Hall 9:00a.m.: St. Vincent de Paul - St. Mary Magdalene Room 9:30 a.m.: Children s Choir Practice - Church Sunday, Mar. 5 Children s Church - All Saints Hall during the Sunday Masses 12:00 noon: Baptismal Preparation - Mother of Peace Room 12:00 noon: Crossfire Kids - All Saints Hall 12:00 noon: Crossfire Youth - St. John Paul II Room LENT 2017 ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT Every Friday during Lent (with the exception of Good Friday) following the 10:00 a.m. Mass. Please note that during Lent, Adoration takes place on Friday, not on Wednesday. STATIONS OF THE CROSS at 7:00 p.m., followed by Benediction. ALL DAY CONFESSIONS The Diocese of London has again organized a full day of confessions in each parish on Wednesday, April 5 th. Here at Holy Family Parish, confessions begin after the 10:00 a.m. Mass and continue through to 8:00 p.m. ADDITIONAL CONFESSION TIMES Tuesday, April 11th from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 12th from 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon and 2:00-4:00 p.m. and Saturdays during Lent from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon