FEBRUARY 28, 2016 THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
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FEBRUARY 28, 2016 THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
PARISH LAY LEADERSHIP
Finance Council Chair………………….…..Kimberly Schoolcraft
Parish Pastoral Council Chair..………………Kathleen Harrington
Rel Ed Advisory Committee ...Melissa Moriarty, Suzanne Harlow
RCIA ……………………………Ray Breton, Rosemary Thresher
Bible Study………………………………………...... Sue Fratini
Adult Education………………………..Mary Federici, Bob Stack
PARISH ORGANIZATIONS
Rosary Sodality……………..………Nancy Garen/Ursula Tuohey
Social Justice………………….…………….Andrea Cook-Hewitt
St. Joseph’s Workers………………………………………Fr. Dan
Men’s Ministry Group………………………...Deacon Paul Briere
Women’s Ministry ……..…………………………..Mary Federici
Youth Group (JPII Crew)………………….………Lisa Laferriere
AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS
Cursillo Movement ……………………….………...Karen Scahill
Schoenstatt Community……………..……….…Diane Czerwiecki
Boy Scout Troop 821 …………………..………………..Joe Muto
Girl Scout Troops…………………….……..……....Pat O’Connor
Knights of Columbus………………………………Greg Perreault
PARISH MINISTRIES
Altar Servers………………………………..………….Sue Fratini
Baptismal Prep……………………………..…… Lou Mastroianni
Children’s Liturgy of the Word……………….……….Sue Fratini
Eucharistic Ministers, Readers……….………..……Beth Modlish
Homebound/Pastoral Care Ministry…………...... Mary Federici
Music Ministry – Adult & Youth Choir……………Melanie Peetz
Contemporary Music Group (Psalm 33).………………Tom Fucci
Sacristy.…………………..……….Irene King, Phyllis Chlastawa,
Jim O’Connor, Irene Breton, Karen Scahill
Soup Kitchen……………… …... Nancy Garen,, Sandy O’Connor
Take & Eat Ministry……..…………………………Cheryl Wood
Wedding Coordinator………………………….…..Donna Whelan
Wedding Team……...…Kathy Harrington, Gina Broderick,
Christina Straney, Tina Broderick
Prayer Line………………..Pauline, 862-3885 or Diane, 568-9754
OFFICE HOURS
The Parish Office is located at the Parish Center. Entrance is across from the Mary Garden. Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00AM-2:00PM. Sue is available to greet and assist you.
NEW PARISHIONERS
We warmly welcome new members to join our parish. Please fill out a registration card on the tables in the church and place in the collection basket. Registration is necessary for Religious Education and letters of eligibility for godparents and sponsors.
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
The Sacrament is celebrated by appointment. Please call the Office to arrange. At least one Godparent must be a Confirmed, active parishioner in their parish, attending Mass weekly.
SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE
The Sacrament of Marriage is planned by an initial meeting with a priest or deacon, at least one year in advance.
SACRAMENT OF THE SICK
The Sacrament of the Sick is administered by a priest, when requested. Pastoral care to the hospitalized sick and homebound is provided by the pastoral staff, and trained parishioners.
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
God’s Mercy can be experienced in many ways including the Reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The Sacrament with Confession is celebrated each Saturday after the 8:00 am Mass, and from 3:15- 3:45 pm, as well as by appointment.
HOSPITAL VISITS
If anyone has a hospital stay, please have a family member call the parish and indicate whether the parishioner would like to have a visit, or if they would like their name mentioned at Mass during the Prayers of the Faithful.
JUBILEE “YEAR OF MERCY”
Pope Francis has declared the period from December 8, 2015 till November 20, 2016 as an “Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy”.
God’s Mercy can be experienced by all who come before Him. All people are invited to experience the “Gift of Mercy” in many ways throughout this year – through Prayer, Scripture Study, Acts of Kindness and Mercy, and through Devotions to Mary the Mother of God, and the Divine Mercy of Jesus.
MASS SCHEDULE & DEVOTIONS
Sat 2/27 3:15-3:45PM CONFESSIONS (Chapel)
3:45PM DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET (Chapel)
4:00PM +Richard Lowe
75th Birthday Remembrance
r/b The Lowe & O’Sullivan Families
Sun 2/28 7:00AM +Laurie Beliveau
1st Anniversary Remembrance
r/b David, Megan and Nicole Beliveau
8:30AM +Flora Robinson
r/b Lorraine Couture
11:00AM +Jeffrey Leavitt
Birthday Remembrance
r/b his sister Carol
Mon 2/29 7:00AM People of the Parish
Tue 3/1 NO 7:00AM Mass
5:30PM +Christopher Kleciak
r/b The Parish
CONFESSIONS – 6:00-7:30PM - Chapel
Wed 3/2 7:00AM +Laura Flynn
r/b Carlo & Kharmen Saruca
3:00PM DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET (Chapel)
“MERCY AMONG US” – Lenten Speaker Series – NO Mass
Thurs 3/3 7:00AM Communion Service
Fri 3/4 7:00AM Communion Service
7:00PM STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Sat 3/5 8:00AM +Richard Fisher
Birthday Remembrance
r/b his wife Dolly & Family
MIRACULOUS MEDAL NOVENA (At 8:00AM Mass)
3:15-3:45PM CONFESSIONS (Chapel)
3:45PM DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET (Chapel)
4:00PM +Fr. Hugh Crean
r/b Jim & Judy Harrington
Sun 3/6 7:00AM +Theresa Forcier
r/b Roger Beaudoin
8:30AM +Mary Lou Exware
Birthday Remembrance
r/b Donald Exware & Family
11:00AM +Robert Leavitt
Birthday Remembrance
r/b his Family
PRAYER-LINE
To request prayers for yourself or a loved one,
please call Pauline at 862-3885 or Diane at 568-9754.
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FEBRUARY 28, 2016 THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
FROM FR. DAN’S DESK…
My friends, we continue to move forward this Lent with many opportunities to grow closer to the Lord. The Diocesan Men’s Conference on Saturday March 5 is one such great opportunity. Another, is our Parish Men’s Retreat taking place on the Weekend of March 18-20. Please pick up brochures on both of these opportunities on the tables near the bulletins. My thanks to our parishioners Paul Lussier and John Strauss for coordinating!
We received some great news – our Seminarian – Barrent Pease - was recently voted on by the Faculty of St. John’s Seminary, in approval for his Transitional Diaconate Ordination in May! We congratulate Barrent and look forward to Bishop Rozanski’s “Call to Orders” for Barrent, which will confirm his Diaconate Ordination. As soon as we have details, we will let you know. Please continue to keep Barrent in your prayers!
As I mentioned last week, “Hearing Assisted Set of Devices” are now available at the back of the church near the American Flag. There are 8 transmitters – like “walkmans” – that you simply can take along with an earpiece on your way into Mass. Plug the earpiece into the transmitter, turn on the volume once Mass starts and adjust it for your preference. At the end of Mass simply return the transmitter and place it into the briefcase charging station. For those with hearing aids, there are two “lanyards” to use in place of the ear piece. Once again, take a transmitter and then a lanyard. Plug the lanyard into the transmitter and place the lanyard around your neck. Once Mass starts, turn on the transmitter and adjust the volume. The lanyard will pick up the sound signal and transmit it into your hearing aid!
I hope this addition will assist many of us who need a little extra help to hear – please let us know if you need help with these devices and how they are working for you! Also, our Parishioner – Ron Gerlip – has informed me that there is a now a wonderful hearing assisted device for your phone at home called “Caption Call Phones” – if interested in more information, please call the Parish Office to leave a message for Ron.
Our LENTEN SPEAKER SERIES continues this week in the church on Wednesday evening at 7:00PM, when we will warmly welcome Eric Mahl, former NFL Football Linebacker, and “The Marian Missionaries of Divine Mercy”. Eric and the Missionaries are part of a lay community of young men seeking to bring God’s Mercy to the streets. They are affiliated with the Divine Mercy priests and brothers at the Shrine in Stockbridge, and their Spiritual Director is Fr. Michael Gaitely. Sharon Roulier – Host of “Real to Reel” – our weekly Diocesan News Show – will be our host for this Wednesday evening. We thank Catholic Communications for assisting in promoting and hosting our Parish Lenten Series. Be sure to watch “Chalice of Salvation” - our Diocesan Televised TV Mass on Sundays at 10:00AM, and “Real to Reel” - our weekly Televised Catholic News Show which airs on Saturdays at 7:00PM, both on Channel 22.
My friends, don’t forget next week Sr. Mary D’Angelo of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Assisi – will once again be holding a Spaghetti Supper Fundraiser on Saturday March 5 from 4:00-7:00PM at St. Stanislaus School 566 Front Street in Chicopee. The menu includes Sr. Mary’s homemade meatballs and sauce, garlic bread, tossed salad, cake and coffee. The tickets are $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for children and are available in our Parish Office or at the door. The sisters will also hold a Raffle of “Themed Baskets” as well as a 50/50 Raffle. Come and join me, support the sisters, and have a wonderful meal!
Just a reminder that in addition to the Lenten Series we have an Evening Mass during Lent on Tuesdays at 5:30PM in the Chapel followed by the opportunity for Confessions on Tuesdays from 6:00 to 7:30PM. Stations of the Cross will be celebrated every Friday at 7:00PM in the Church. In addition, THIS SUNDAY NIGHT - February 28 at 6:00PM (please note time correction), we will host our annual LENTEN PENANCE SERVICE here in our church. Many priests will be on hand to hear Confessions – a wonderful opportunity!
Finally, it is great to see so many people attending our Divine Mercy Devotions on Wednesdays at 3:00 PM and Saturdays at 3:45PM in the Chapel. Please know that we have beautiful Divine Mercy Rosaries for Sale at our Parish Office for $10.00. These rosaries make a wonderful gift to someone during this Year of Mercy, and also are beautiful to use when praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Please stop by the Parish Office!
God Bless, Fr. Dan
LENTEN PENANCE SERVICE WITH CONFESSIONS
HERE AT OLBS
THIS SUNDAY (February 28) at 6:00PM
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FEBRUARY 28, 2016 THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
SANCTUARY CANDLE
Is burning this week in loving memory of
+DOLORES SKONIECZNY
requested by Michael & Mary Zyra
“MERCY AMONG US”
We will host a WEDNESDAY EVENING LENTEN SPEAKER SERIES here in our Parish focusing on acts of Mercy Among Us. The series includes speakers covering mercy to the homeless, those who mourn, those who are persecuted for their faith, and those who doubt. The series continues this Wednesday, March 2 and runs through March 23 at 7 p.m. in the church.
ADORATION
Adoration for the month of March will be held Thursday, March 5. Adoration begins after 7:00AM Service and ends at 8:00PM. Our Chapel is named in honor of St. Joseph, and the month of March is dedicated to St. Joseph. St. Joseph was the foster father, protector and caretaker of Jesus. “It greatly behooves Christians, while honoring the Blessed Mother of God, constantly to invoke with deep piety her most chaste spouse, St. Joseph. We have a well-grounded conviction that such is the special desire of the Blessed Virgin herself,” Pope Leo XIII.
Pope Francis’ intention for March is that families in need may receive the necessary support and that children may grow up in healthy and peaceful environments.
FOSTER FATHER OF JESUS
O Lord God, through an angel you instructed St. Joseph to name the child "Jesus". Through the power of that sacred name, protect all of our families torn apart by abuse, indulgence, and neglect. May Joseph, the loving guardian of the family of Nazareth, bring us help and protect and spare the lives of the unborn. In the name of Jesus, our Savior. Amen.
CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS
2015 Parish Contribution Statements have been mailed out. If you have any questions, or if you have not received your statement and you need one, please call the parish office at 562-3450. Thank you!
ATTENTION MEN OF THE PARISH
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to attend our Annual Parish Men’s Retreat to be held March 18-20 at the Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center in West Hartford, CT. This is a shared retreat with men from several other parishes and space is limited. Register now so that you can reserve your private room. Included in the retreat are home-cooked meals, inspirational liturgies, uplifting music, free time, and workshops. It begins with dinner at 6:00PM Friday evening and concludes with Sunday brunch at noon. Brochures with registration forms are available in the Gathering Space on the tables with the bulletins. Financial support is also available if needed. Why not give it a try? For further information, call Paul Lussier at 529-2326 or John Strauss at 562-9818.
IRISH NIGHT!
The JPII crew will hold our 3rd annual Family Irish night on March 12th immediately following the 4:00PM Mass! We will once again have entertainment by Sarah the Fiddler, a room with activities for the kids, corn beef sandwiches, our beautiful basket raffle, Irish step lessons, 50/50 raffle and more! If you took a slip for a gift basket, they can be returned to the parish office or after all masses by March 4th. Irish night tickets can be purchased at the parish office, after Masses on the weekend of March 5 & 6. Tickets are $5 per person, kids under 5 are free.
DIVINE MERCY DEVOTIONS
As part of the “Year of Mercy”, we will pray the Divine Mercy Devotion here in our Parish on Wednesday afternoons at 3:00pm in the Chapel, and Saturday afternoons at 3:45pm in the Chapel. It is hoped that the practice of praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet will bring blessings to our parish and to those who will attend.
OUR STEWARDSHIP
February 14, 2016
Regular and Development (gold) $ 8,156
Budget Requirement per Week 9,600
(deficit) (1,444)
THANK YOU!
FEB/MAR POOR BOX: JERICHO
ROSARY SODALITY
There will be no meeting in March because of the Lenten Series that will be held on Wednesday evenings. This year the 2nd annual rosarian event will be held on Sunday May 15. The four churches in Westfield will once again participate. This is an opportunity for rosarians to pray together, exchange ideas and to socialize with their counterparts. We will be host for the event this year. Rosarians from St. Peter and St. Casimir’s, St. Mary’s and Holy Trinity will join us for the 11:00AM Mass. All rosarians will meet at 10:30AM at the church to recite the rosary. The 11:00AM Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Rozanski. A catered lunch will be served in the Parish Center following the Mass. Bishop Rozanski will be our speaker following lunch. The event is open to rosarians only and tickets must be purchased prior to the event. Tickets will be $16 per person and will be available through each Rosary Sodality President. If you have any questions, call Nancy Garen at 568-1275.
LENTEN RETREAT SUNDAYS
The Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Feeding Hills (1065 Springfield Street) will be hosting a Lenten Retreat during the six Sundays leading up to Palm Sunday. The two hour program (2-4pm) begins with Scripture and ends with Fellowship; it also includes song, teaching and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy – Please come! Each Sunday will be led by a different member of our local Clergy: