St. Anthony the Abbot Catholic Church 20428 Cortez Boulevard Brooksville, Florida 34601 352-796-2096 Fax: 352-796-7144 Website: www.stantchurch.org Email: parishoffice@stantchurch.org Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30am to 3:30pm (Closed from 12:00 1:00 daily for lunch) Mass Schedule SUNDAY : 8:00AM AND 10:00AM SATURDAY VIGIL : 4:00PM DAILY (MONDAY-SATURDAY): 8:00AM HOLY DAYS : 7:00PM (VIGIL), 9:00AM RECONCILIATION Saturday: 10:00-11:00am (or by appointment) SACRAMENT OF THE SICK Anointing after Masses or upon request. Please contact the Parish Office in advance. MARRIAGE PREPARATION Please call the office at least six months prior to wedding date. BAPTISM Please call the office three months in advance. PASTOR Rev. Paul Pecchie PERMANENT DEACON Deacon Manny Carreiro MINISTRY OF CARE Ministry to the Sick & Homebound Louise Allen ADULT ENRICHMENT Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults RCIA Michele Niemier, Jim Lehmann, Ext. 20 faithformation@stantchurch.org FAITH FORMATION, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Michele Niemier, Secretary, Ext. 20 BAPTISM SESSIONS faithformation@stantchurch.org Deacon Manny Carreiro (Call the parish office three months PREK GRADE 5 Miriam Melfy, Director, Ext. 23 in advance) K5 @stantchurch.org BUSINESS MANAGER GRADES 6 12 Christine Stafford, Ext. 22 Susanne Thompson, Director, cstafford@stantchurch.org Ext. 21 youth@stantchurch.org MUSIC MINISTRY David Zimmerman, Ext. 11 HOLYHUT music@stantchurch.org CHRISTIAN FAMILY SERVICES 352-797-4898 DAYSTAR LIFE CENTER 352-799-5930 www.daystarlifecenter.org NOTRE DAME CATHOLIC SCHOOL Early Childhood 3/VPK through 8th Grade Principal: Deacon Scott Conway, M.Ed. 352-683-0755 www.ndcsfl.org
Mass Intentions Saturday February 14, 2015 8:00am For faith filled marriages 4:00pm Amanda Strmensky Sunday February 15, 2015 8:00am Living and deceased members of St. Anthony the Abbot Parish 10:00am John Currens Monday February 16, 2015 8:00am Claudia & Jim Hendry Tuesday February 17, 2015 8:00am John Currens Wednesday February 18, 2015 8:00am 7:00pm Patrick Redmond For peace in the world Thursday February 19, 2015 8:00am Vocations to the priesthood and religious life Friday February 20, 2015 8:00am George Gubitose Saturday February 21, 2015 8:00am Gerald Putlack 4:00pm Marie Zamorski Sunday February 22, 2015 8:00am Living and deceased members of St. Anthony the Abbot Parish 10:00am John Currens READINGS FOR THE WEEK Sunday: Lv 13:1-2, 44-46/1 Cor 10:31-11:1/Mk 1:40-45 Monday: Gn 4:1-15, 25/Mk 8:11-13 Tuesday: Gn 6:5-8; 7:1-5, 10/Mk 8:14-21 Wednesday: Jl 2:12-18/2 Cor 5:20-6:2/Mt 6:1-6, 16-18 Thursday: Dt 30:15-20/Lk 9:22-25 Friday: Is 58:1-9a/Mt 9:14-15 Saturday: Is 58:9b-14/Lk 5:27-32 Regulations on Fasting and Abstinence The dual disciplines of fasting and abstinence have a long history in the Catholic Church. Going back to the early Church, the purpose behind the custom of self denial is not punishment; it is to simplify our lifestyles so that we create a certain emptiness. In this way, freed from all distractions, we are able to hear and respond to God s continued call to conversion and holiness. Fasting is to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday by all Catholics between the ages of 18 to 59 years (inclusive). On days of fasting, one full meal is allowed. Two smaller meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to one s needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids are allowed. Abstinence from meat is to be observed by all Catholics who are 14 years of age and older. Ash Wednesday, all the Fridays of Lent, and Good Friday are days of abstinence. Note: If a person is unable to observe the above regulations due to ill health or other serious reasons, they are urged to practice other forms of self denial that are suitable to their condition. Fasting, almsgiving, and prayer are the three traditional disciplines of Lent. The faithful and catechumens should undertake these practices seriously in a spirit of penance and of preparation for baptism or of renewal of baptism at Easter. A Week at a Glance Sunday, February 15 9:00am Columbiette Meeting 10:00am Mass Knights of Columbus Breakfast Daystar Food Collection 11:00am Our Lady of Fatima Service Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Monday, February 16 7:00pm Pastor s Class Presidents Day Parish Office Closed Tuesday, February 17 10:30am Bingo 3:30pm Bingo Committee Mtg 6:30pm RCIA The Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order Wed. February 18 9:00am Parish Nurse 9:30am Mommy & Me 5:30pm Simple Lenten Meal 7:00pm Mass Ash Wednesday Thursday, February 19 8:30am Reconciliation 8:30am St. Jude Novena 9:00am Card Making Grp 5:30pm Choir Rehearsal (church) 7:00pm ROC Band Rehearsal 7:00pm Pastoral Council Mtg Friday, February 20 8:30am Divine Mercy Chaplet 9:30am Mommy & Me 5:30pm Stations of the Cross 6:00pm KC Fish Fry Saturday, February 21 8:30am Minister of Care Retreat 10:00am Reconciliation 2:00pm Legion of Mary (portable) 3:00pm Reconciliation 4:00pm Mass Lenten Parish Mission St. Peter Damian Sunday, February 22 Lenten Parish Mission 9:15am Reconciliation 10:00am Mass Lenten Parish Mission RCIA Rite of Sending Knights of Columbus Breakfast Scrip Deadline Order RCIA Rite of Election (Cathedral of St. Jude) First Sunday of Lent
A Message From The Pastor J M J My Dear Friends in Christ, Leprosy was one of the most feared (and most frequently encountered) diseases in ancient times. The bacterial skin infection started small, almost imperceptibly, but it soon spread. It rotted the victim's extremities (fingers, nose, lips...) and gave off a thoroughly disgusting smell. As explained in today's First Reading, lepers were excluded from society and left to die a slow, painful, humiliating death. They were prohibited by law from coming within 100 yards of healthy people; this is why they had to shout, "Unclean, unclean!" To come into contact with a leper was to make oneself unclean, since their disease, so it was believed, was a sign of God's punishment. Theologians and spiritual writers have always seen in this Old Testament conception of leprosy a symbol of sin. Sin is a kind of spiritual leprosy. It disfigures our souls and spreads into every corner of our lives. It destroys us and destroys our ability to relate to other people. It cuts us off from the purpose of our life and our role in human society and human history. Just as leprosy starts small but spreads and grows, so one sin, one betrayal of our conscience or one compromise with Church teaching can easily become a spark that starts a spiritual forest fire. And so, when Jesus reaches out and touches this leper, and heals him, it is much more than just another miracle. It is a revelation of Christ's entire mission. He is the Redeemer, the Savior; he is the one who comes into this fallen, sin-infected world and, with the power of his mercy and grace, cleanses it and gives it a new start. And he does the same thing with each one of our lives, as often as we need it. Jesus came, and he still comes, not to condemn, but to save. And this is exactly what every human heart needs to know: that we are loved even though we are sinners and don't deserve it. That makes the difference between a meaningful life and an empty life. In the Fall of 2008, a high school football game in Texas made that kind of difference. The game was played between Gainesville State School and Grapevine Faith Christian School. Grapevine Faith is a private Christian school. Gainesville State is a high school prison, a maximum-security state correctional facility for 285 teenage criminals. Gainesville State lost to Grapevine Faith 33-14 to finish their season 0-9. But ever since that game, the Gainesville State campus hasn't been the same. Teacher Chris Styles put it concisely: after that game, he said, "The culture just switched." Why? Because of how Grapevine Faith hosted the players from the prison: they treated them like real people, not hopeless outcasts. First, student fans at Grapevine Faith formed a 40-yard spirit line for the Gainesville players to run through before the start of the game. Then, half the Grapevine fans sat behind the Gainesville sideline and cheered them on by numbers and even names throughout the game. Grapevine Faith even loaned the Gainesville State Tornadoes their junior high cheerleaders. Gainesville lost, but they ended up scoring as many touchdowns in that one game as they had in their eight previous games combined. Gainesville State is a different place now, as well. "It's like people's hearts have really changed," the superintendent explained. It is not just the hearts of the inmates, but area residents too. They think of the correctional facility differently now; they encourage the young men there; they even come out to their games. All because a group of Christians decided to follow Christ's example and touch the leper instead of condemning him. There is [another] detail about this encounter that we should not overlook. St Mark tells us that the leper "came to Jesus," close enough to kneel in front of him. Why would he do that when everyone knew that the law required him to keep his distance? Something about Jesus must have inspired confidence. The leper must have sensed that Jesus would not be repulsed by his disgusting disease. And the leper was right. Jesus smiled at him, as we can tell from his choice of words ("I do will it."), touched him, and healed him something no one else could do or would do. Is that how we think of Jesus? Do we have that kind of confidence in Jesus? Jesus has chosen to stay as close to us as he was to that leper, by giving us the Eucharist. In every Catholic Church, Jesus is truly present in the Tabernacle, body, blood, soul, and divinity, as the little red sanctuary lamp reminds us. When we drive by a Catholic Church, Jesus is calling to our hearts just as he called out to the heart of this leper. He won't force his way into our hearts, but he is always inviting us into his heart. He is inviting us to come up close to him, kneel down in front of him, and pour out all our miseries, hardships, confusions, and needs, praying the same beautiful prayer that this leper prayed: "Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean, you can give me strength, you can give me light." And when we do that, do you think he will be less generous with us than he was with this poor leper? I don't think so. But if you doubt me, try it out yourself this week. You won't be disappointed. Praised be Jesus Christ! Fr Pecchie
2015 ST. ANTHONY THE ABBOT LET US COME TOGETHER FOR A SIMPLE LENTEN MEAL Bring your family and friends and join us for a simple Lenten meal on ASH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18 AT 5:30PM-6:30PM Mass will follow at 7:00pm. STATIONS OF THE CROSS Every Tuesday at 8:30am and every Friday at 5:30pm Begins February 20 (through March 27) Lenten Confession Schedule MONDAYS, 8:30AM: February 23 / March 2, 9, 16, 23 WEDNESDAYS, 8:30AM: February 25 / March 4, 11, 18, 25 WEDNESDAYS, 6:30-7:30PM: February 25 / March 4, 11 THUSDAYS, 8:30AM: February 19, 26 / March 5, 12, 19, 26 SATURDAYS, 10-11:00AM & 3-3:45PM February 21, 28 / March 7, 14, 21, 28 Holy Week Confession Schedule MONDAY, MARCH 30: 7:30am, 10-11:00am, 6:30pm-7:30pm TUESDAY, MARCH 31: 7:30am, 6:30pm-7:30pm WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1: 7:30am, 10-11:00am, 6:30pm-7:00pm THUSDAY, APRIL 2: 10-11:00am FRIDAY, APRIL 3: 10-11:00am LENTEN BIBLE STUDY WITH FATHER PECCHIE EVERY THURSDAY FROM MARCH 5 - MARCH 26 7:00PM PARISH HALL Bible Study on the Gospel of Mark presented by Father Pecchie. PASTOR S CLASS EVERY MONDAY 7:00PM PARISH HALL Pastor's class is a class helping you find God s direction for your life. No matter what stage you re in or what circumstances you find yourself, ultimately God knows and has a great plan. As our pastor teaches, he works to equip Christians, in understanding and knowing God s will. We hope you will come and join Father Pecchie, every Monday evening at 7:00pm, as he shares the truths of God s Word and enjoy the fellowship of other people just like you. Next Class: February 16. FEBRUARY 21 26 I WILL GIVE THEM A NEW HEART PARISH MISSION SCHEDULE: PRESENTED BY FATHER BRIAN MULLADY Fr. Mullady will preach on the progressive change from hardness of heart to a deeper union with God using Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross. Father Mullady will preach at all Masses the weekend of February 21 and 22 and the mission talks will be Monday Thursday after the 8:00am Mass and during the 7:00pm mission Mass. A reception will take place in the Parish Hall on Thursday, February 26 following the 7:00pm mission Mass. Fr. Brian Thomas Becket Mullady is the son of an Air Force officer and was raised throughout the United States. He entered the Dominican Order in 1966 and was ordained in Oakland, California in 1972. He has been a parish priest, high school teacher, retreat master, mission preacher and university professor. He received his Doctorate in Sacred Theology (STD) from the Angelicum University in Rome, Italy and was professor there for six years. He has taught at several colleges and seminaries in the United States. He is an academician of the Catholic Academy of Science. He is adjunct professor at Holy Apostles Seminary in Cromwell CT and preaches parish missions and retreats. He has had ten series on Mother Angelica's EWTN television network. He is the author of three books and numerous articles. He is the author of the Question and Answer column in Homiletic and Pastoral Review. He is the Theological Consultant to the Institute on Religious Life. PAGE 4 - (352)796-2096 www.stantchurch.org Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, February 15, 2015
ST. ANTHONY THE ABBOT PARISH LIFE WELCOME! WE WELCOME ALL WHO HAVE REGISTERED AT ST. ANTHONY THE ABBOT WITHIN THE LAST MONTH! WELCOME TO: Chavez & Garren Family Law & Venditte Family Adam and Kerristin Burrows & Family William and Patricia Emo WE ARE SO HAPPY TO HAVE YOU AS PART OF OUR PARISH FAMILY! If you are new to our parish and would like to register, please complete a registration form available from the parish office or at church entrances. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS FISH FRY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20 & MARCH 6, 13, 20, 27 6:00PM - 7:30PM PARISH HALL A delicious Fish Fry dinner prepared by the Knight of Columbus. $6. 00 per adult, $3. 00 for children under 16. New revised menu has additional items. As we kick-off the 2015 Annual Pastoral Appeal: My Good and Faithful Servant, today I ask you to join me, Bishop Lynch and all of the parishes and missions within our diocese and make a gift/pledge to this Annual Pastoral Appeal for the benefit of our parish and, more importantly, the many in need throughout the five counties of our diocesan family. Every gift is valuable. Sometimes it is hard to envision how your one gift could make a difference in an organization the size of our diocese, but it does. Each Catholic family, each parish, TOGETHER, can fulfill the mission of our Church, to love and serve one another. In trying times, our gifts from God may be more difficult to identify; God blesses each of us every day. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something. Not equal gift but equal sacrifice. Thank you for continuing to support our Stretch your love across our parish boundaries to those in need parish and our diocesan faith community so faithfully and in so many ways. Offertory February 8, 2015 Attendance 951 Offertory Envelopes $4,551.00 Offertory Loose Cash $2,193.55 Offertory Total $6,744.55 Envelopes Used 202 Average Gift of Envelope Users $22.53 Christian Family Services (February 15) $1,102.65 Debt Reduction (February 15) $664.00 JCL Fundraiser (January 15) $367.10 Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, February 15, 2015 (352)796-2096 www.stantchurch.org - PAGE 5
Father Pecchie & Staff wish everyone a safe and restful weekend. The Parish Office will be closed on Monday, February 16 th in observance of President s Day. IS GOD CALLING YOU TO BECOME CATHOLIC? A Journey in Faith RCIA invites non-catholics to enter into a period of inquiry - a period of asking questions about the faith of Catholics and of life in our parish community. Come and see. Are you searching for a Church to call your own? Do you struggle with questions about life, death, suffering, hope, forgiveness, love, God? Sessions exploring these and other issues in relation to our Catholic faith are being held. IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW WANTS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CHURCH, PLEASE CONTACT THE PARISH OFFICE AT 796-2096 EXT. 20. SESSIONS ARE HELD IN THE PARISH HALL, TUESDAYS AT 6:45PM (FELLOWSHIP 6:30PM). Don t forget we have a Youth Mass on the first Sunday of every month at 10:00am. If you love to sing and would like to join the ROC (Rely on Christ) BAND contact the Parish Office. Rubber Stampers & Greeting Card Creations Make cards in the Parish Hall on Thursday mornings from 9am until noon. No special talent required. If you would like to join us or would like more info, contact Diana at 592-6975. Quilters & Wanna-Be s The St. Anthony Quilters meet on the 2 nd & 4 th Wednesday every month from 9:00am until 4:00pm in the Parish Hall. Bring your machines and any supplies you have. All are welcome. We would love for you to experience the joy and accomplishment of Quilting. For more info, contact Elaine at (352)544-0465. 2014 TAX STATEMENTS If you should be in need of your Donation Tax Statement, please contact the Parish Office at (352)796-2096 ext. 14, to make your request. ANNIVERSARY BLESSINGS The monthly Wedding Anniversary Special Blessing will be held at all the Masses on March 7 & 8. Couples are asked to stand when their names are announced. Please contact the Parish Office no later than March 3 rd to give your name and number of years married. ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA RELICS VISIT FLORIDA ~ A MESSENGER OF HOPE FROM PADUA, ITALY SUNDAY, MARCH 15 8:00AM MASS WITH VENERATION 10:00AM MASS WITH VENERATION St. Anthony of Padua will be visiting us in the form of two precious relics from his Basilica in Padua, Italy. The relics will be accompanied by Fr Alessandro Ratti OFM Conv. from the Saint Anthony s Basilica, in Padua, Italy. Among other churches in the Diocese of St. Petersburg, a visitation will take place at St. Anthony the Abbot on Sunday, March 15 th. If you are unable to participate in the visitation at St. Anthony the Abbot, contact the Parish Office for other visitation locations. RAFFLE PRIZES Join us as we pray the Rosary before all weekend Masses. Please arrive 40 minutes before Mass. Pamphlets on how to pray the rosary are available as you enter the church. Faith Formation Grades 6 th - 12 th CALENDAR OF EVENTS February 14 & 15: Flower Sales fund raiser for all students February 21: Pro Life Rally at Mary Help of Christian March 1: Deposit for Steubenville youth conference due April 26: Confirmation (10am Mass) May 9 &10: Mother s Day Flower Sale Fundraiser May 31: Graduation Mass for high school seniors July 5-11: High School Good Samaritan Project July 6-11: Middle School Good Samaritan Project July 17-19: Steubenville High School Youth Conference SOCIAL COMMITTEE The Parish Social Activities Committee is need of prizes for upcoming Spring events. If you would like to donate unopened wine and liquor, large wicker baskets, household novelty items, please deliver to the Parish Office. PAGE 6 - (352)796-2096 www.stantchurch.org Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, February 15, 2015