Week of February 25, 2018 Second Sunday of Lent The Week at a Glance The Pastor s Musings about the Stations of the Cross Dear Family in the Lord, We are blest in our church with a beautiful set of hand carved Stations of the Cross, crafted in Germany and installed when the church was built in 1934. While they are beautiful to look at, they can really strike us, and become reminders to us all through the year, when we take the time to meditate upon them make the connection between Christ s walk then and ours now and seek the grace to have the lessons learned become rooted in our hearts. I have always loved this Lenten devotion. As a kid I remember going with my friends from school, and then in Junior High/High School I remember holding the cross before each one and leading my pastor around our church as he led us in prayer. The images from the meditations really intensified my understanding of the price of my salvation and the love with which Jesus loves us, and created a desire to try to answer love with love. My Lenten focus changed from what I have to do for Lent to what can I do to imitate what we celebrate, to be more like the Jesus I came to know more deeply as I walked His way in this devotion. As a priest, I have always cherished this devotion, and outside of Lent, I often pray it privately on Fridays for all in my care who are bearing heavy crosses in their lives. I pray for the caretakers and all who seek to help as I pause at stations 5 and 6 Simon helps and Veronica wipes the face of the Lord. I pray for those who are struggling with habitual sin, addiction, and tendencies they can t seem to shake as I recall the three falls, and the three times Jesus rises up again. I entrust the grieving to the Mother of Jesus who sought to comfort her son. In my former parish, when we built the new church there, we installed the Stations from the church I served in as a youth. The church I used to carry the cross from station to station in has closed and is no longer. But as you can imagine, as I led stations years later in front of those stations, my heart was filled with wonderful memories. This is what we can give all our children if we share these devotions with them. Shortly after I became your pastor, I composed a series of meditations and prayers for the 14 stations. It put together thoughts that had become part of my heart and prayer from all the years of various meditations, and found its inspiration in the real life situations I was helping people with as a spiritual director. (Copies of it are on the marble top table in back of church for your personal use if you drop in to church during the day.) Each time I use these, it leads me to become almost overwhelmed by all the Lord accomplishes for us, through us, and in the ministry of priests. We used the version I wrote when we prayed stations together in the morning and evening on Friday after Ash Wednesday, and we will use them again on Friday of the 5th week of Lent. Each week, as a community, we are invited to pray the Stations of the Cross. We use different meditations each week some rather ancient, others contemporary all speak to the heart and can help make the connection between His walk then and ours now. If you have yet to, I encourage you to join us for some of the remaining Fridays of Lent either after 8 AM Mass (8:30) or after 7 PM Mass (7:30). Bring the family. Make the connection. Then return to your daily Lenten walk to answer love with love! With you on the Journey, Monday, February 26 A Deeper Look at Holy Week 7:30 PM (C) Tuesday, February 27 A Lent to Remember 9:00 AM (PC) A Lent to Remember 6:30 PM (PC) Televised Parish Mass 7 PM, Channel 98 Wednesday, February 28 Prayer Cenacle 2:00 PM (C) K of C Mtg 6:00 PM (CLL) Rivier Retreat 6:30 PM (YC) Thursday, March 1 Exposition/Adoration 8:30AM-5PM (C) Thirsty Thursday 6:00 PM (VH) Women s Way of the Cross 6:30 PM (C) Contemporary Group Practice 7PM (CLL) Televised Parish Mass 7 PM, Channel 98 Friday, March 2 Italian Class 7:00 PM (SO) Saturday, March 3 WWP Connect Coffee 9:30AM (PC) Baptism 10:30 AM (C) Rosary 3:30 PM (C) Sunday, March 4 Children s Dismissal during 8:30 Mass (C) Televised Parish Mass 10 AM, Channel 98 RCIA 11:30 AM (PC) Music Ministry Rehearsal 11:45AM (C) Choir Practice Spanish Mass 1:00 PM (CLL) Rosary 1:30 PM (C) Spanish Mass 2:00 PM (C) Lenten Lamentation 6:00 PM (C) KEY: At 98 Summer Street: C = Church CLL = Lower Level of Church VH = Vianney House (rectory next to Church) At 845 Woodbury Ave: PC = Parish Center (lower level of former church) PO = Parish Office (former rectory) YC = Youth Center (lower level of office) On Austin Street: SPA = St. Patrick Academy SO = SHARE Office (lower level Vianney House) Traveling Vocation Icon This week, Irma Bonito and Jackie Pitts will receive the Icon of Jesus Knocking at the Door into their homes and intercede in a special way for Joe, Dan, and all in formation, for those discerning, and for many vocations to rise up from our community.
Intentions For Holy Mass Monday 7:00PM Tuesday 12:10PM FEB 26 Lenten Feria (weekday) Abel Lajoie, by Bernard Lajoie Betty Carroll, by Kathleen Ildeniz and Geraldine Gregorowicz FEB 27 Lenten Feria Intentions of Marian Bunce, by her Daughter Barbara Jean Marden, by Kathleen A Morrissey Wednesday FEB 28 Lenten Feria Gregory Guerra, by Herb & Jean Woodcock 7:00PM Colleen, George, & Glenn MacDonald, by Chandra Sheehan Thursday 12:10PM Friday 7:00PM Saturday 4:00PM MAR 1 Lenten Feria Peggy Sullivan (3 rd anniversary), by Shirley Sisson Catherine Athanasiou, by her husband Odyssias MAR 2 Lenten Feria Mike Peterson, by the Scontras Family Dorothy Gagnon, by the Lena Family MAR 3 Lenten Feria Sr. Bernadette, by the Maloney Family Vigil 3 rd Sunday of Lent Peter Scontras, by Peter Brelis Sunday MAR 4 3 rd Sunday of Lent 8:30AM Rosalie Wallace, by the Maloney Family 10:30AM Michael Barrett, by Sylvia and Al Stewart 2:00PM in Spanish Celebrant s Intention 4:30PM Pro Populo (For our Parish Family) To schedule Mass intentions or for sacramental records, please see Marilyn Chavez at the parish office, 845 Woodbury Avenue, or call 436-4555. Our reflection of God s generosity to us! Weekend of February 17/18, 2018 Envelopes/EFT $ 10,228.11 Loose $ 2,198.25 Total $ 12,426.36 Last weekend 205 envelope/52 Online Giving users contributed 82 % of our income. Poor Box Donations $ 1270.00 LENT 2018 Go deeper! Make this a Lent to remember! A number of opportunities for prayer and enrichment are offered to you in our parish community this year. We urge you to live this Lent like never before! WEEKLY LENTEN OPPORTUNITIES Weekday Mass Two options are offered each day to give everyone an opportunity to join us a few times a week: 8:00 AM ~ Monday through Saturday 12:10 PM ~ Tuesday, Thursday 7:00 PM ~ Monday, Wednesday, Friday Stations of the Cross Using different reflections each week, we will pray the stations each Friday at 8:30 AM and again at 7:30 PM. Lenten Lamentations On three Sundays of Lent (March 4, 11, 18) we will gather for this half hour of sung reflective prayer and Benediction focused on the Passion of Christ, at 6:00 PM in IC Church. This service is in the style of the Advent Evensong we offered this year. The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed for those who would like to come early for personal prayer at 5:30 PM, and will remain exposed after the devotion until 7 PM, for those who may wish to linger. Confessions will be heard from 5:30 to 5:50 and then again after the service. Eucharistic Adoration Monday Saturday, 7:00 7:55 AM Thursdays, 8:30 AM 5:00 PM Divine Mercy Chaplet The 3:00 PM Hour of Mercy will be observed each Thursday before the Blessed Sacrament. A meditation from St. Faustina s Diary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy will be included. This will be our weekly intercession, united with all praying and fasting with the 40 Days for Life Campaign across our nation. Confessions Monday Saturday after 8 AM Mass Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 6:30 PM Tuesday & Thursday after 12:10 Mass Saturday at 3 PM Sunday at 3:45 PM Sunday before/after 6 PM Lamentations
Parish News Frasatti Fraternity NEW! Holy Week Series All are welcome to any or all talks on Mondays after the 7:00 PM Mass. Last week we started unwrapping the liturgy and scriptures of Palm Sunday and initial weekdays. This Monday, Fr. Gary will explore the start of the Triduum, the Liturgy of Holy Thursday. Go deeper in your understanding of and appreciation for these most stirring celebrations of the whole Liturgical year. (The talk will be from 7:30 to 8:15 PM in the church.) NEW! A Lenten Encounter with Mercy This four part video-based study, with opportunity for reflection, discussion, and questions, continues on Tuesdays, February 27, March 6, 13. Choose either 9:00 to 10:30 AM or 6:30 to 8:00 PM, in our parish hall at 845 Woodbury Ave. NEW! Easter Flower Offerings As we re sure you remember, the simplicity and starkness of the Lenten environment of our church will give way to magnificent splendor for the glory of God when we enter into Holy Week with Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, the Garden Tomb, and then the Solemnity of Easter and the following 50 days of the Easter Season. As in the past, we have envelopes at the doors for those who would like to support this effort. Offerings can be made in memory of departed loved ones. The names will be listed in Easter bulletin, and souls remembered in the Masses of the Easter Octave (from Easter Day to Divine Mercy Sunday). Simply drop in the collection at Mass or through Online Giving over these coming weeks. Thanks! NEW! Recently Baptized We warmly welcome Thomas James O Connor and Lillian Renee Pelletier, who were given new life through water and the Holy Spirit in our parish community! To their parents and godparents we extend our congratulations and prayerful support as they live out the commitment they made to be the first teachers of these children in the ways of faith. In the words of the rite, may they be the best of teachers, bearing witness to the faith in what they say and do. NEW! Called Home to the Lord We remember in prayer the repose of the souls of Stephen Michniewich and Maureen Lyons, whose Funeral Masses were recently celebrated in our parish, and Georgia Gilbert, a former parishioner. To their families we extend our heartfelt sympathy and prayerful support as well. Sanctuary Lamp & Votives The sanctuary lamp will burn this week in memory of Marie Bottoni, as requested by Gerry & Marsha Sieve. The votives at the Mary altar will burn for Catherine Athanasiou, as requested by her husband Odyssias. At the St. Joseph altar, the votives will burn in memory of Georgia Gilbert. Thirsty Thursday! All guys 20 to 30 something are invited this Thursday! March 1st 6:00 PM at Vianney House (Rectory next door to church, 98 Summer St) It s Thirsty Thursday with a Lenten flair, and it s for all thirsting to deepen their walk as a man of faith, connect with other guys who are seeking that, and enjoy an informal gathering that will start with dinner, followed by sharing of ideas about developing Frasatti Fraternity here! Plans for future include fellowship, faith enrichment opportunities, outreach, and activities such as hiking and other possibilities. A core team of five 20-something guys will be sharing these ideas and want your ideas and input as we try to develop this way to root guys in Christ and authentic faith life. Who is Pier Giorgio Frasatti? Why would this be named after him? He was a single guy who died at age 24 and was declared Blessed in 1990. You ll hear more about him and how he can be role model and intercessor for us today on Thursday. Want to join us? We want your input! Come enjoy dinner and let s explore possibilities no commitment, just come and see! Feel free to bring a friend! For meal planning, please RSVP by emailing Fr. Gary by Tuesday night this week: frgary.ccnh@gmail.com Hope to see you Thursday! Just ring bell at front door of rectory, Vianney House, 98 Summer Street. HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE As you may know, a group of 33 of us will be departing on Sunday, May 20th, for a ten day pilgrimage to the Holy Land. After initial registration close to a year ago, we had to cut off registration with all available spaces taken. Since then, due to family situations and other factors, a few who had registered had to drop out. So, we have a few openings if you are interested. First come, first served. ($3949 pp, double) We will not be able to accept any new registrations after the end of this month. Want to come? Get more info, see a flyer? Please contact Fr. Gary by emailing him at frgary.ccnh@gmail.com.
Let s Talk Nights Coming! Who s this for? You, if you were away from the practice of your Catholic faith for a while and have recently returned, or someone you know who might be interested in taking another look and give consideration to coming home. Pray about who to invite! Show them this! What s it about? Informal simple Lenten meal, fellowship, opportunity to ask any questions, and hear about how others have made their way back to a deeper and more life enriching faith, not simply things to be done or avoided. We will simply have an opportunity to get to know one another a little better and share insights. What happens after that night? Fr. Gary will ask for topics those attending would like to see explored further. After Easter he will offer a series of enrichment nights to explore these topics. Where? When? Two options Tuesday, March 6 th or 13 th : 6:00 PM at Vianney House, the rectory next door to the church at 98 Summer Street. Just ring front door bell. Want to come? Please email Fr. Gary at frgary.ccnh@gmail.com or call him at 436-4555, x125 and give him your choice of date. Space is limited, so please call ASAP. If we fill one night, we will contact those who responded and have other options. Fr Gary is really looking forward to welcoming folks to his home and sharing this informal dinner and relaxed conversation. It s been great to see so many rediscovering their Catholic faith, coming home, enriching our parish, and going deeper than they ever had been before! Spread the word! Share this with someone you know who won t see it or know they are welcome unless you bring them this heartfelt invitation to come and see. WOMEN S ENRICHMENT All women, of all ages, are invited to come together on Saturday, March 3rd, 9:30 to 11:30 AM, in our Parish Hall, 845 Woodbury Avenue for this Lenten opportunity: Connect Coffee Talk: Opening Your Heart! Mothers today are often overwhelmed with expectations. Guilt abounds. It s easy to listen to our culture and take on those expectations. But, ultimately, we realize our children aren t really ours, they are God s. Come for some coffee, fellowship with other women seeking to go deeper as we discover ways to reach our children s hearts in the way God intends and with the truths that He values, to parent in a way that has lasting value no matter what our age or our kids ages are! Women s Special Coming! Women of all ages and stages of life as invited to come together for the Way of the Cross, with reflections and connections in our prayer united with Mary and her Son, taken from a mother s perspective. Join us this Thursday, March 1st, at 6:30 PM in church, followed by light refreshments and fellowship. Meatless Fridays All Fridays of Lent are days of simple meals and abstinence from meat for all ages 14 and over. This penitential act is a universal practice of the Church in these days of Lent. Voluntary days of fasting can also be embraced as you choose, with savings from lesser food taken being shared with those in need as an act of Lenten almsgiving. In our parish, you can SHARE your alms through the poor box, at the church doors each weekend, which will help our outreach to those in need through our Portsmouth Catholic SHARE program. Lenten Suggestions: 1. Digital Book: Meditations for Lent by Jacques- Bénigne Bossuet 2. Audio: Love, Sacrifice, Trust by Fr. Mike Schmitz 3. Lectio: Prayer; God are you There? (Found under Study/Bible Studies ) FORMED provides amazing content 24/7 for you to grow in your faith this Lenten season. With FORMED, you can: Prepare for Sunday Mass each week by watching an insightful five-minute video by renowned Catholic teachers Enjoy a movie with your family that is both entertaining and encouraging Listen to a thought-provoking audio talk about how to grow in your faith Help your children grow in character and embrace the beauty and wonder of the faith It s EASY and FREE to Register! Visit formed.org with a web browser Click on Register (lower right of page) Enter Parish Access Code: DCTJND (all capital letters) Enter your email and create a password (you need this to login later) Enjoy and share with others in our local community!
Relocation of Sacred Items A listing of the relocation and future use of sacred items that have been, or soon will be, removed from the former St. James and St. Catherine Churches follows. We are very thankful that these items have found new homes and will continue to be used for the purpose for which they were donated and intended. From St. James Altar, Pulpit, Baptismal Font, Ambry (container for Holy Oils), Celebrant s Chair, Tabernacle stand (all crafted for the renovation) are going to St. Mark Church in Londonderry, where Fr. Mike Zgonc, who resided here as a seminarian, is pastor. The statues of Mary and Joseph are going to St. Mark s as well. A number of liturgical items, Gospel book cover, glassware, and common chalices also are at St. Mark s. The large crucifix will hang in the sanctuary of the chapel in the soon-to-be-completed St. Patrick Academy. The two angel stained glass windows will also be there. The original tabernacle at St. James (rectangular) will be in the Academy chapel. The old nativity set (before being replaced with the new one by Fr. Aggie) is going to be used at the Academy. The newer one has been the one we ve been using at Immaculate for the past three years. The wall-mounted holy water font is in our office chapel. The icon of St. James will be used in our new parish center. The Stations of the Cross will be set up in weatherproof shrines to form an outdoor prayer walkway on the grounds at Woodbury Avenue. The pipe organ is going to a Cathedral in China in a place where public practice of the faith has recently been restored. From St. Catherine The large crucifix that hung behind the altar is now on the column near the Book of Intercession in IC Church, where we have been using it as our Good Friday veneration cross for the past six years. The tabernacle is at St. Mark s in Londonderry. The marble holy water fonts, along with the altar, tabernacle altar, pulpit and sanctuary chairs, and a few pews, will be going to the St. Patrick Academy Chapel. The sanctuary center window of Christ the King is going to the Academy to be over the front entry. Various flower stands and liturgical items will be used in the academy chapel as well. The statues of Mary and Joseph are installed in St. Mary Church in Rollinsford. The statue of St. Catherine of Siena will be located in the new parish center here. The statue of St. John Vianney has been relocated since last June in our IC Church. Various liturgical items, vessels and vestments, two floor standing candlesticks, and other candlesticks, have been brought to our IC church. A few other items are in process of planning for relocation/reuse. Updates will follow. St. Patrick Academy 5K Clover Run Join St. Patrick Academy for its 5th Annual Clover Run 5K, scheduled for 10:30 AM on St. Patrick s Day, Saturday, March 17th. The family-friendly 5K will start and finish at the school s new campus, located at 315 Banfield Road in Portsmouth. Wear green and St. Patrick s Day fun attire! Call the school to register, 603-436-0739, or let us know if your company would like to sponsor the race and get your logo on the back of the t-shirt. HOMESCHOOLERS? We have been approached to consider the possibility of establishing a Seacoast Homeschool Association here. There are some good things happening in the area, and we are not looking to duplicate efforts, however we could look at expanding opportunities, kicking up faith formation opportunities, and possibilities at connecting with St. Patrick Academy. So, are you interested in brainstorming? Please contact Fr. Gary, and pass this on to others you know may want to come to an idea swap, and let him know you are interested. Please leave a message for him at 436-4555, x125 or email frgary.ccnh@gmail.com. He will then be in touch with a meeting date and time for mid-march. Last Call for 20/20 Raffle! The next 20/20 Raffle series will begin SOON. Tickets cost $20 each and are good for 20 weeks. Each Sunday for 19 weeks, we draw two numbers to win $25 each. On the 20th week is the final drawing, with prizes of $500, $300, two at $100, and two at $50. Tickets for the next 20/20 series are available at the parish office, 436-4555.