Church Bulletin Week of February 3, 2008

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

THE CHOSEN REMNANT
 Zephaniah is one of the least-known of the Old Testament prophets. He speaks in today's first reading of impending judgment. But the Lord will leave a "remnant" in Israel. This image of a remnant, or remainder, was to become vital to both Judaism and Christianity.
 Paul's letter to Corinth makes obvious his deep concern for the Christians there. They are too self-confident, he says, too sure of themselves. He admonishes them to remember that Christ has given them all they have.
 Today's Gospel comprises the opening of Jesus' "Great Sermon." As God gave Moses the law on Sinai, so now Jesus gathers his disciples on a hillside to teach them the new law. Each of these Beatitudes contrasts the humiliation of the present with the glory of the future: poverty vs. the riches of God's kingdom, hunger for holiness vs. fulfillment in the Spirit, persecution vs. the reign of God. Jesus is here speaking to God's chosen "remnant." (c) Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.
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SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES
Sunday: Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time;  Carnival Sunday; Boy Scout Sunday; World Day for Consecrated Life
Tuesday: St. Agatha; Shrove Tuesday; Mardi Gras
Wednesday: Ash Wednesday; Fast and Abstinence
Thursday: Chinese New Year 4706
Friday: St. Jerome Emiliani; St. Josephine Bakhita; Abstinence
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READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday: 2 Sm 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13; Mk 5:1-20
Tuesday: 2 Sm 18:9-10, 14b, 24-25a, 30 -- 19:3;Mk 5:21-43
Wednesday: Jl 2:12-18; Ps 51; 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
Sunday: Gn 2:7-9; 3:1-7; Ps 51; Rom 5:12-19 [12, 17-19]; Mt 4:1-11
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TODAY'S READINGS
First Reading -- You humble of the land, seek justice and humility, and the LORD will be your protection (Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13).
Psalm -- Blessed the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs! (Psalm 146).
Second Reading -- God chose the weak of the world, those who count for nothing, so that whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:26-31).
Gospel -- Jesus taught the crowds from the mountain: Blessed are the poor in spirit (Matthew 5:1-12a).
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"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
-- Matthew 5:3
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Sacrificial giving nurtures the spirit of the giver and helps to build a better world.
Thank you for your support and generosity.
Last Sunday's Collection: $5,054.60
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New Parish Liturgical Ministry
Immaculate Conception Parish would like to thank Eileen and Mike Morgan, leaders of our newly formed Liturgical Ministry, and ministry members for their insight, time, and talents in helping us in preparing our Church Liturgies for Lent and the upcoming Easter Season. The Parish Liturgical Ministry provides on-going support and communication of all church ministries, provides feedback and coordinates activities, programs, and all special Liturgies, and participates in the planning of the Liturgical Life of the parish.
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Ministry to the Homebound
We want all our parishioners to know that due to federal privacy guidelines, all hospitals and nursing homes are restricted as to which information may be given to local churches. If you or any members of your family are in any of our area hospitals, we ask that you or someone call the Rectory. In some cases, the hospital admission staff may ask if you wish your church to be notified; they can only do so with explicit permission. If you are unable to attend church or know of someone who is unable to attend church and would like a Homebound Minister of the Eucharist to visit you at home, please call the Rectory to make arrangements for you to receive the Eucharist at home.       
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Eucharistic Ministers
Eucharistic Ministers who are interested in bringing the Eucharist to the HOMEBOUND are asked to call Janice at the Rectory. This is a beautiful Ministry and we are looking for caring Ministers to assist in our need to provide for our Homebound Parishioners.
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Saint Blaise—February 3rd
St Blaise is the patron saint of throat sufferers. On this day, many churches hold a special ceremony in which candles are crossed beneath people's throats and a special blessing given invoking the aid of St Blaise.
St Blaise was a bishop and martyr. He was bishop of Sivas in Armenia in the fourth century. He is said to have miraculously healed a child who had a fish bone stuck in their throat.
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Operation Rice Bowl is the official Lenten Program of Catholic Relief Services. For 33 years, Operation Rice Bowl has called participants to pray with their families and faith communities; fast in solidarity with those who hunger; and give sacrificial contributions to those in need. The Operation Rice Bowl 2008 featured countries are Guatemala, Mali, India, Haiti, and Cameroon. Rice Bowl information is available by the table in the center of the Church.
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Easter Vigil Choir
“Shout joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; worship the Lord with cries of gladness; come before Him with joyful song.” Psalm 100:1-2
All are welcome. Please join us and be part of our very special Easter Vigil Choir. Practices begin on Sunday, February 10th from 6:00—8:00pm for the Easter Vigil Mass on March 22nd at 8:00pm.
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Tricky Tray
Friday, February 8th
 I.C.R.S. will hold its Annual Tricky Tray in the Emerald Ballroom at the Crystal Springs Country Club in Hardyston. Doors open at 6:30pm and calling begins promptly at 8:30pm.
There will be special trays and PRIZES!
No one under 18 will be admitted.
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Ash Wednesday
This Wednesday, February 6th, is Ash Wednesday.
Mass will take place at 7AM and 7PM.
There will be a prayer service and distribution of ashes at 3:30PM.
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Prayerful Journey Through Lent
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PANCAKE BREAKFAST
Franklin Boy Scouts, Troop 90 Invites you to enjoy an “All You Can Eat” Pancake Breakfast to be held in the church Lyceum next week Sunday, February 10th, from 8:00AM to 12noon. All are welcome!
Price: $4.00 p/p to benefit the Franklin Boy Scout Program.
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Grief Support Group
On the first Wednesday of each month Immaculate Conception Parish offers an ongoing Grief Support Group.
If you or someone you know has suffered a loss, please join us for the next meeting is Wednesday, February 6th from 7:00-8:30PM. in the Ministry House. We all have such busy lives. Sometimes it is overwhelming. Take time and find the silence. For in the silence, you will hear His voice.
“Be still and know that I am God.”
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Cabin Fever Dance
Saturday, February 9th
7:30 PM in the Lyceum
$20 per picket
Hot & Cold Buffet - BYOB
Music by DJ Sikora
Tickets will be on sale after Masses Feb 2-3, and at the Rectory Office. Call Tony 973-209-4044.
All Adult Parishioners and Friends Invited
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Prepare for the Sacred Season of Lent
Cathedral Concert Series
The Most Reverend Arthur J. Serratelli, warmly invites the faithful of the Church of Paterson and people of good will of all faiths to join him for “The Burial of the Alleluia!” at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist on Sunday, February 3rd at 4:00 pm.
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Precepts of the Church
The Sacrament of Reconciliation can set you free...
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"Whoever is in Christ is a new creation....and all this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 5:17-18).
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Stewardship
Christian stewardship is not just an ideal, but a way of life that strengthens our relationship with the Lord. It is a scriptural call to discipleship through the contribution of our time, talents, and treasure. Immaculate Conception Church encourages its parishioners to share God's gifts, not only with the Church, but also with each other and with the community at large. The call to stewardship involves more than just donating money; it encompasses the sharing of all the many gifts we have received from God.
 “How can I repay the Lord for all the good He has done for me?” (Psalm 116:12).
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Please remember to pray for our parishioners and friends who are ill:
In Nursing Homes: Ceil Williams, Pauline Trofimuk, and Anna Elekes
At Home: Loraine Schenker, Maria Woppel, Diane Sidoli, Robert Zeuner, Evelyn Caljean, Danielle Dionisio, Thomas Dionisio, Jr., Steven “Itchy” Novak, Flo Yurchak, Mary Carmody and Lisa Stine
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Please continue to keep all those serving in the military in your thoughts and prayers especially:
Jamison Micke, Stephen Saski, Jr., Christopher Faber, SFC Morgan McHose, LCPL William Mathes, LCPL Ernest Mathes, Karen Hassler, Tom Oroho and CPL Matt Lindquist.
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Marriage Encounter Weekends
Stress-Proof your Family! Go on a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend. Take 44 hours to get away from jobs, kids, chores, computers and focus only on each other. If you'd like, find yourselves again and grow in your relationship. You'll like the difference a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend can make! Obtain information and registration for the March 7th weekend in East Hanover, NJ through Ralph and Eileen Perez at 1-800-499-6552.
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Inclement Weather- Weekday Mass Cancellations
In case of inclement weather, please call the Rectory, 973-827-9575, to check on the possible cancellation of the 7:00AM Weekday Mass.
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Altar Server Schedule
2/6 7PM (Ash Wednesday) K. Morano and S. Morano
2/9 5PM C. Lynch
2/10 7:30 M.K. Hubbard and J. Oroho
9:00 E. Cox and C. McDonald
10:30 D. Peck and Jen Friend
12:00 J. McKeever and J. McKeever
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Lenten Retreats
“Seek the Lord” by Franciscan Retreat Team,
Feb 7- 9, 2008 in Newton, NJ
For more information please call Fr. Tom Kelly, OFM 973-985-9736 or Deacon Milt at 973-271-5097
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Bethany Spirituality Center
Highland Mills, NY, is offering the following retreats in February: “Valentine's Day Dinner Retreat for Married Couples:, with Margaret and Richard Green, February 14; “From Guilt to Grace”, with Rev. Michael Holleran and Dr. Edward J Poliandro, Feb 16. For information please visit www.bethanyspirtualitycenter.org or call 845-460-3061.
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Sacred Heart Center: Newton, New Jersey
“Peace Prayer Journey for Lent”
6 Weekly Sessions beginning Feb. 7th through Mar. 13th. Contact Hugo Bader at 973-579-1430 or Sacred Heart Center at 973-383-2620
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GOD IS LIKE FOG
There is little dazzle to fog. It slips in during the nighttime, unannounced and without fanfare. Mostly it's just there, obscuring everything but itself. That's how it is with fog, and maybe sometimes with God, too.
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INSIDE THE READINGS
The Sermon on the Mount is the best known of the five major discourses of Jesus in Matthew's Gospel. Christ sets out what he expects of his followers: "I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:20). Today's Gospel reading (Matthew 5:1-12a), the beatitudes, makes clear what being righteous truly involves.
The form of the beatitudes is found often in the Old and New Testaments. Matthew's significant addition is the reversal of the roles, the eschatological reward. For example, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, / for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (5:3). The persons mentioned in the first three beatitudes, namely the poor, the mourners, and the meek are reflected in today's first reading (Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13). "Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth, who have observed his law" (2:3). The poor of the Old Testament, the anawim, were financially distressed but put their faith in God.
A key theme in the Gospel of Matthew can be translated as righteousness or as justice. This concept in the fourth beatitude refers to God's justice, God's will to save all people. Those who "hunger and thirst for righteousness" (5:6) are longing for God to save them. The other meaning of justice, a life in harmony with God's will, is found in the eighth beatitude, "Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, / for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (5:10).
Jesus also expects his disciples to be merciful, clean of heart, and peacemakers. Again he develops Old Testament themes, but now the reward is eternal happiness. For the Jewish people the heart was the place where decisions were made, to love the Lord, for example. The concept of "peacemaker" is important for Jesus' followers because "peace" signifies the totality of the Messianic blessings. Christians are to bring those blessings as they "make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19).
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THOUGHTS FOR ACTION
Human nature being what it is, it's not likely that many of us will seek out life's low spots. Those who are saints among us may, but few others. Yet for each of us, perhaps the low spots have been where God settles in, like fog often unnoticed until another points it out. Blessed indeed have we been at such times.
Excerpted and edited from LIVING THE WORD
for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary TIme
Commentary by Msgr. Ralph Kuehner and Rev. Joseph Juknialis,
© 2008 by J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. 2/3/08
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