Sacred Heart Parish Fourth Sunday of Lent I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life. Today s Readings: 1st Reading - 1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a 2nd Reading - Ephesians 5:8-14 Gospel - John 9:1-41 March 30, 2014 0132
Stewardship Corner ~ Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the LORD looks into the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 The first reading this week tells us the story of David, chosen by God for his heart. As humans, it is very easy to take things at face value- to only see things for what they present to the eye. Because of this, we also tend to act according to this measure ourselves. We think, What others cannot see, they will not know, or even, All that matters is how I appear to others. This reading reminds us that someone will always know what is truly written on our hearts, good or bad. That someone is outside of ourselves; that someone is God. This past Thursday marked the midpoint of our Lenten journey. It s a good time to check up on how we are doing with our promises to Christ, and to reflect on the ways we can continue to grow in relationship with Him this season. The Psalm reminds us that God is always with us; He is a comfort and a reassurance. During Lent, the goal is to try walking with God, and reflecting this gracious light out to the people we touch. Awakening the light inside our hearts is so much more than the appearance we present to others, it is about living as true witnesses with pure love for the world. God knows the path is difficult. But remember, He lived it! He lived right here with us and understands our heartbreaks and our trials. He is here with us now to guide us through the cleansing, and to show us how to be a light to others. I encourage you to think about the way your Lenten promise might manifest itself concretely to other people. Do you pray for them? Do you take the money you re saving on chocolate or other habits and give it to someone in need? Do you give of the time you re not sitting in front of the television to read to or play with your children? All of these and more are the wonderful opportunities God presents to us that allow us to shine our lights to the world! How will you use your opportunity? Peace, Kaitlyn Wiant Divine Mercy Sunday St. Faustina was born Helen Kowalska on August 25, 1905, in Poland to a poor, religious family. She called to the religious life during a vision of the suffering Christ, so on August 1, 1925, she entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy and took the name Sr. Maria Faustina of the Most Blessed Sacrament. The years she spent in the convent were filled with extraordinary gifts, such as revelations, visions, hidden stigmata, and participation in the Lord's Passion, among others. The Lord chose Sr. Faustina to share the urgent message of Divine Mercy with our troubled modern world. In her diary, she faithfully wrote down all of the Lord s wishes and described the encounters between her soul and Him. Sr. Faustina died at the age of 33. In 1981, Pope John Paul II published an encyclical entitled Rich in Mercy in which the Holy Father stresses that the Church-especially in our modern times- has the right and the duty to profess and proclaim God s mercy, to introduce it and make it incarnate in the lives of all people, and to call upon the mercy of God for the whole world. (12-15) On April 18, 1993, Pope John Paul II beatified Sr. Faustina. Then on April 30, 2000, Pope John Paul II canonized Sr. Faustina. Both her beatification and canonization took place on a first Sunday after Easter. The Holy Father announced that this first Sunday after Easter would now be celebrated as Divine Mercy Sunday throughout the universal Church. The Divine Mercy Novena begins on Good Friday. Jesus told Sr. Faustina, the soul that will go to confession and receive Holy Communion will obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment... encourage souls to say the Chaplet which I have given you... I desire to grant unimaginable graces to those souls who trust in my Mercy. To fittingly observe the Feast of Mercy, we should: celebrate the Feast on the Sunday after Easter; sincerely repent of all of our sins; place our complete trust in Jesus; go to confession (preferably before that Sunday); receive Holy Communion on the Day of the Feast; venerate the Image of the Divine Mercy; and be merciful to others. Jesus also revealed, at 3:00 implore My Mercy, especially for sinners; and, if only for a brief moment, immerse yourself in My Passion, particularly in My abandonment at the moment of agony... In this hour I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion. The Chaplet can be prayed on the Rosary. The Divine Mercy Message and Devotion Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception, Stockbridge, MA 01263. Reprinted with permissions. 0132 Sacred Heart Parish Sunday, March 30, 2014
SAVE THE DATE Vacation Bible School at Sacred Heart Parish Parents, as you begin to make plans for your children s summer, leave room for Sacred Heart s Vacation Bible School! This great adventure will be held Monday, July 7 through Friday, July 11, 2014 from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm. The cost is $30 per child for the week, but please continue to check the bulletin in the weeks to come for registration details! Volunteers needed- please contact Gina Fritz at jgcfritz@yahoo.com. There will be a second collection for the Church in Latin America at all Masses during the weekend of March 29-30. Archbishop Chaput thanks you in advance for your support. Please make checks payable to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. If possible, please reference the Church in Latin America in the memo section on your check. ABVM Eucharistic Adoration has Moved! Eucharistic Adoration has been moved to the Assumption BVM Main Church, 300 State Road. The new Eucharistic Adoration hours are MONDAY FRIDAY, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM For questions, contact Cyndi at cyndi.m1@gmail.com or Mary at 610-255-0382 or hartown@verizon.net Eucharistic Adoration Lent During Eucharistic Adoration, we are not just thinking about God, we are with God! How can we repay Our Lord for the sufferings He endured for us? A perfect way is to meditate on His Passion by simply visiting Him and being in His presence. Come visit Him and spend some personal, quiet, one-on-one time with Our Lord Jesus Christ. Adoration is open to all and is held every Tuesday from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm. If you are interested in becoming an adorer or would like to have more information about Eucharistic Adoration at Sacred Heart Church, contact Joann Di Liberto at 610-932-8962. Sacred Heart Giving March 23, 2014 Regular Collection: $ 10,005.83 Solidarity Fund of Africa $1,332.00 Poor Box: 03/23/2014 $82.47 Thank you! Seek. Pray. Share. Make Disciples. The Sacred Heart Parish Office Team would like to share with you a change in our office hours. Our new office hours will be Monday through Thursday from 8:30-2:00 pm and the office will continue to be closed Fridays. Friday is a very pertinent day of the week for the office staff, as it is our Mission day. Our entire day is a collective effort devoted to creating ways to enhance parish life, expanding our message, vision and ministries. Thank you in advance for your time and attention! Father, Kaitlyn, Mariana and Dana
M i n i s t r i e s a t M a s s Saturday, April 5, 2014 5:00 PM Extraordinary Minister: D. Alesi, L. Baggott, C. Karat Lector: H. Baggott Altar Server: Lauren B., Teddy B., Julia A. Music: Sacred Heart Adult Choir Ushers: Beau Jones Sunday, April 6, 2014 7:45 AM Extraordinary Minister: D. Signs, J. Mosley, P. Kozakowski Lector: L. Somma Altar Server: Joseph M., John M. Music: Jamie Shover 9:00 AM Both Species Extraordinary Minister:: M. Hampshire, C.Fischel, M. Hillegass, K. Cumminskey, K. Kelly Lector: H. Cumminskey Altar Server: Eve H., Garland H., Grace H. Music: Lauren Cupples/Cathy Grebner Ushers: Mark Bradford, Frank Sipala, Brandon & Lauren Kim, and Samuel Hamilton 10:30 AM Extraordinary Minister: J. Saltysiak, M. Beletti Lector: J. Watkins Altar Server: Michael L., Gabe L. Music: Beth VanWoert/Karen Evangelista Ushers: Catherine L., Jerome Lacek, John Peluchette 12:00 PM Extraordinary Minister: M. Campbell, G. Campbell Lector: M. Oronzio Altar Server: Leah F., Jonathan F., Thomas C. Music: Amy Murphy, Fran Murphy, Bob Boyle Ushers: Jack Morrison, Jon Anderson M a s s I n t e n t i o n s Saturday March 29, 2014 5:00 pm William A. Matthews req. by Mary Patrone Sunday March 30, 2014 7:45 am Stephen Benedek req. by the Benedek Family 9:00 am Ernest Stumpo req. by Evelyn Stumpo 10:30 am Henry and Edith Ciarrocchi 12:00 pm The People of Sacred Heart Monday March 31, 2014 8:00 am Wanda Garrett by Paul & Kay Tuesday April 1, 2014 7:00 pm Arthur & Sandra Mattia req. by As The Spirit Leads Wednesday April 2, 2014 8:00 am John Houser req. by the Nadrotowicz Family Thursday April 3, 2014 8:00 am Lucy DiEmidio. req. by Lieb and Marie Strohmaier Friday April 4, 2014 8:30 am Philip A. Cerasoli, Sr. req. by the Mattern Family Saturday April 5, 2014 5:00 pm The Purgatorial Society Sunday April 6, 2014 7:45 am Kristy Jo Kelleher req. by the Kelleher Family 9:00 am The People of Sacred Heart 10:30 am John & Catherine Lacek req. by Jerome & Catherine Lacek 12:00 pm Henry and Edith Ciarrocchi Lenten Fish Fries Remember to bring the kids and join the Knights of Columbus for the Lenten Fish Fry on Friday, April 11th in the parish hall. You will have your choice of Fried Fish or Mac & Cheese platters. Fish platters ($8 per platter) will include a 4 oz. of fish, fries, cole slaw, roll, applesauce and a brownie. Mac & Cheese platters ($5 per platter) will include all the same special fixings. Come join the Knights and your fellow parishioners for a wonderful feast. 0132 Sacred Heart Parish Sunday, March 30, 2014
S a c r e d H e a r t S c h o o l Sacred Heart School Many Families, One Heart Students celebrated World Down Syndrome Day on March 21st by wearing mismatched socks with their uniform. World Down Syndrome Day celebrates all the wonderful things about people with Down syndrome. Our sixth grade students met with members of the Young at Heart to discuss their faith. Students took a well deserved break from testing this week to enjoy a pie eating contest celebrating Pi day. The winners were 7th grader, A.J. Alesi and 6th grader, Brady Hill. Spring Clean Up Sacred Heart Students will be assisting senior parishioners with yard clean up. Please contact te school for additional information or to request help. 610-932-3633 or developmentshs@gmail.com We are continuing to accept registrations for the 2014-15 school year. Please contact the development office to schedule a tour. Financial aid is available. The deadline for financial aid applications through the Private School Aid Service is May 31st. Please see below for the eligibility guidelines: Number of Dependents Maximum Income 1 $90,000 2 $105,000 3 $120,000 4 $135,000 5 $150,000
Dear Parishioners, We will have a Guest Confessor available for confessions this Lenten Season. Saturday, March 29 th at 4:00 pm Saturday, April 12 th at 3:00-4:45 pm Father Hamill will be available for confessions on April 12 as well. Thank you! The Parish Office Team PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SICK, especially: Carole Kasprzak, Megan Beird, Pat Ryan, George Cleary, Gina Caldwell, Joseph Beird, Mary & Jean Basilio, Anne Marie Oshman, Diana Wills, Michael Cooke, Kimberly Jester, Diane Joyce, and all parishioners with special needs. Please contact the parish office if you would like to add someone to our prayer list. You may resubmit a person s name anytime through our website, www.sacredheart.us or call 610-932-5040. Any new additions to the sick or military list will be in the bulletin for one month, then continued on the website for our prayers. PASTOR Rev. Gregory J. Hamill frhamill@sacredheart.us 484-758-0099 WEEKEND ASSISTANTS Rev. Joseph Shenosky & Rev. John Franey Sacred Heart Parish Office 610-932-5040 203 Church Road, Oxford, PA 19363 Website: www.sacredheart.us Sacred Heart Parish School 610-932-3633 205 Church Road, Oxford, PA 19363 Website: www.shsoxford.us Children s Liturgy of the Word during the 9:00 am Mass! For more information, please contact Phuong Besancon at 302-766-1153 or children@sacredheart.us LENTEN SERVICES Confessions during Lent Wednesdays: 6:30-7:30 pm Saturdays: 4:00 pm Stations of the Cross Fridays: 2:15 pm and 7 pm Living Stations of the Cross Good Friday (April 18): 7 pm MASS SCHEDULE Saturday Vigil at 5:00 pm Sunday 7:45 am, 9:00 am, 10:30 am & 12:00 noon DAILY Monday, Wednesday & Thursday at 8:00 am Tuesday Evening 7:00 pm & Friday 8:30 am Holy Days as announced in the bulletin Reconciliation Saturday at 4:00 pm & Wednesday at 6:30 pm Adoration Tuesday 8:00 am-7:00 pm Rosary Monday, Wednesday & Thursday at 7:30 am Friday - 8:00 am Miraculous Medal Novena Monday following 8:00 am Mass Chaplet of Divine Mercy Wednesday following 8:00 am Mass REGISTRATION FOR NEW PARISHIONERS If you are new to the parish, we welcome you. You may come as a stranger to us, yet you are known to Our Lord, Jesus Christ there are no strangers in grace in His name we pray you will find peace, hospitality and friendship with us. You are invited to register at Sacred Heart after any Mass on the weekend, just stop by the Welcome Desk in the Lobby. SACRAMENTS: Visit our website, www.sacredheart.us for the sacrament page and information about becoming Catholic, Baptisms, Marriage, and PREP. If you would prefer, you may call the parish office at 610-932-5040 for details. THE SACRAMENT OF THE SICK - If a loved one is dealing with a serious illness, it is wise to notify the parish office as soon as possible. This sacrament is intended by the Church to be a comfort and strength to people during their illness, not to be held out as Last Rites. 0132 Sacred Heart Parish Sunday, March 30, 2014