February 11, 2018
6thSunday in Ordinary Time
Dear Parishioners,
Years ago, the bishops of the United States issued a “Pastoral Statement on Fasting and Abstinence” (PSFA) which is a very thoughtful explanation of why Jesus taught us to do penance by word and example. (see note on the other page in the bulletin for the rules that Catholics follow.)
“Christian peoples, members of a Church that is at once holy, penitent, and always in process of renewal, have from the beginning observed seasons and days of penance. They have done so by community penitential observances as well as by personal acts of self-denial; they have imitated the example of the spotless Son of God Himself, concerning Whom the Sacred Scriptures tell us that He went into the desert to fast and to pray for forty days” (Mk 1:13).(PSFA 3)
The bishops, with genuine and fatherly concern for our spiritual development, encourage us to make the most of this season of renewal. “Wherefore, we ask, urgently and prayerfully, that we, as people of God, make of the entire Lenten Season a period of special penitential observance.” (PSFA 12)
Among the suggestions that the bishops made are these:
- daily Mass
- voluntary fasting beyond what is required
- generosity to the poor
- spiritual studies, beginning with the Scriptures
- traditional Lenten Devotions (sermons, Stations of the Cross, and the rosary),
- and all the self-denial summed up in the Christian concept of "mortification.(PSFA 14)
Then their counsel to us took on a more general call to Christian witness. “Let us witness to our love and imitation of Christ, by special solicitude for the sick, the poor, the underprivileged, the imprisoned, the bedridden, the discouraged, the stranger, the lonely, and persons of other color, nationalities, or backgrounds than our own. A catalogue of not merely suggested but required good works under these headings is provided by Our Blessed Lord Himself in His description of the Last Judgment (Mt 25:34-40). This salutary word of the Lord is necessary for all the year, but should be heeded with double care during Lent.”(PSFA 15)
And then a special significance is given to: “Friday itself remains a special day of penitential observance throughout the year, a time when those who seek perfection will be mindful of their personal sins and the sins of mankind which they are called upon to help expiate in union with Christ Crucified.” (PSFA 22)“Friday should be in each week something of what Lent is in the entire year. For this reason we urge all to prepare for that weekly Easter that comes with each Sunday by freely making of every Friday a day of self-denial and mortification in prayerful remembrance of the passion of Jesus Christ.” (PSFA 23)
With prayer to the Holy Spirit that He may move you to a deep love for Jesus Crucified and an ardent desire to imitate Him in His suffering and death,
Fr. Martin Flum
Readings for the Week of February 11, 2018
Sunday: Lv 13:1-2, 44-46/Ps 32:1-2, 5, 11 [7]/1 Cor 10:31--11:1/Mk 1:40-45
Monday: Jas 1:1-11/Ps 119:67, 68, 71, 72, 75, 76 [77a]/
Mk 8:11-13
Tuesday: Jas 1:12-18/Ps 94:12-13a, 14-15, 18-19 [12a]/
Mk 8:14-21
Wednesday: Jl 2:12-18/2 Cor 5:20--6:2/Ps 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14 and 17 [cf. 3a]/Mt 6:1-6, 16-18
Thursday: Dt 30:15-20/Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6 [40:5a]/Lk 9:22-25
Friday: Is 58:1-9a/Ps 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 18-19 [19b]/Mt 9:14-15
Saturday: Is 58:9b-14/Ps 86:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 [11ab]/Lk 5:27-32
Next Sunday: Gn 9:8-15/Ps 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9 [cf. 10]/1 Pt 3:18-22
/Mk 1:12-15
MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday, 02/10/18 5pmParishioners & their families
Sunday, 02/11/18 8am Ralph Coan
Sunday, 02/11/18 10amSt. Dominic Sodality
Sunday, 02/11/18 11:30am Bernadette Martin
Monday, 02/12/18 8amChris & Caitlyn Milby
Tuesday, 02/13/18 8amMsgr. Vincent Gatto
Wednesday,02/14/18 8amMsgr. Vincent Gatto
Wednesday, 02/14/18 7pmErnest Ingle
Thursday, 02/15/18 8amMike Lanham & his intentions
Friday, 02/16/18 8amMsgr. Vincent Gatto
PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK: For those who suffer from chronic illness especially Lynn Alori, Roxanne Arch, Liam Barber, Milagro Brown, Ann Canter, Charlene Cardwell, Tom Cardwell, Joyce Chambers, Thomas Chambers, Dennis Cox, Patricia DiSandro, Connie Fitzsimmons, Rev. Thomas Gude, Pat Hammond, Marie Knobel, Norma Jean Knobel, Wanda Langley, Russell Makle, Regina Nataska, Rev. Robert Pittman, Mary A. “Shorty” Proctor, Irene Robey, Lucille Shanks, Freida Shlagel, Dee Smith, Geraldine Stewart, Willie Stewart, George Thomas, Marie Watson, Rosie Weinelt and Barbara Wright,may they not grow weary under their burden, but be strengthened by the love God has for them.
MINISTRY SCHEDULE FOR NEXT WEEK
Saturday, 02/17/185pm
Server: April Luzano Lector: Claude Boswell
Ordinary Minister of Holy Communion: Deacon Johnson
Sunday02/18/18 8am
Servers: Dan Wilson Lector: Jeanine Wilson
Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion: Joan Royal
Sunday, 02/18/18 11:30am
Server: Kayla Aure Lector: Pat White
Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion: Maureen ingle
ASH WEDNESDAY – February 14th
Masses will be celebrated on Ash Wednesday at 8am and again at 7pm, both at St. Michael’s.
LENTEN STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Stations of the Cross will be on Fridays during Lent (Friday, February 16th – March 23rd). Stations will begin at 3pm at St. Dominic’s then again at 7pm at St. Michael’s Church.
RULES OF FAST AND ABSTINENCE
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence.For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards.
If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil as the "paschal fast" to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and to celebrate more readily his Resurrection. For more information go to:
VOLUNTEER MUSICIANS NEEDED!
If you would like to serve the Lord and fill the Church with song for Holy Week and Easter, the parish is looking for volunteer musicians.
We have a flute and a clarinet!
Who is in for the trumpet?
The trumpet isneeded for PalmSundayand the Easter Vigil and/or11:30amMass on EasterSunday. The flutes and clarinets will be needed on HolyThursday, as well. You will be provided with music equivalent to your level of experience, so even those who have not played in a while are welcome. The only requirements are a desire for devout service to the Lord, good intonation, and a willingness to practice.If you are interested in playing an instrument, please contact Mary at (301-653-7643).
VOLUNTEER SINGERS ARE NEEDED TO FORM A CHOIR
We are interested in forming a small group to sing“acapella”(without instrumental accompaniment) on GoodFriday. This is a serious undertaking, but one that can be simple and beautiful. All singing parts are needed: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Baritone/Bass. Although it is not necessary to be able tosight-read music, you should have good intonation and be able to blend your voice with those around you.If you are interested in lending your voice in song, please contact Mary at (301-653-7643).
THE PARISH PHONE NUMBER WILL BE CHANGING
In order to streamline our telecommunications and to reduce costs, we are bundling all of our phone/internet service with Comcast. When the new number is in service, we will publish it in the bulletin.
JOIN US FOR THE ROSARY before Mass! It will begin 25 minutes before each Sunday or Holy day Mass.
LENTEN LIFE IN THE SPIRIT SEMINARS
Experience the fullness of the love our Lord intends for each one of us promised in the Holy Scripture. Come join many of your brothers and sisters in Christ for the Life in the Spiritin a six session seminar: "The Gift". It will be offered at the following parishes: Holy Ghost, Issue – Tuesdays 6:30-8:30pm. Contact: Don ; St. Joseph's Pomfret – Wednesdays 6:30-8:30 PM Contact: Julie ;St. Catherine's/St. Ignatius Hilltop- Saturdays 10:00 AM-12:00 PM, Contact: Fr. Ken Gill, ;St. Mary's Bryantown- Thursdays 6:30-8:30 PM Contact: Fr. Rory Conley, ; St. John’s Hollywood, Thursdays6:30pm-8:30pm beginning Feb 22nd,
Marriage Renewal Workshop
Healing Your Love: Tools for overcoming obstacles in Marriage,A Christ-centered workshop for couples looking to reconnect, repair and re-energize their marriage. February 17-18, 2018. Contact Fr. John Paul 301-602-8485 or Jane Newstedt 301-365-0612 or register on-line
No matter what you have done,
no matter how long you have been away,
Jesus
waits for you in the Sacrament of Confession.
Sincere contrition leads to “Forgiven”
NATURALFAMILY PLANNING
Natural Family Planning networked with women's health: free consults, classes, one on one and Online LIVE options. I can travel to you! Find our free Intro Sessions at Holy Cross Hospital locations, and doctors who collaborate.Therese Rodriguez, RN, Certified FertilityCare Practitionerat 301-512-7451 call or text welcome.