THIRSTING FOR LIFE-GIVING WATERS
Especially during the Lenten, Holy Week, and Easter seasons, the prayer texts of the Eastern Church revel in paradoxical images of Christ: the eternal life who is put to death, the host of the supper who is also its meal, the thirsty crucified one with living water streaming from his side. These images flow from the evangelists' portrayals of Jesus and from his very ministry, during which he often upset or reversed people's expectations about him or the ways of God. This "reversal" is at play in today's Gospel, as Jesus speaks to an enemy foreigner who is also a woman beneath his status. In addition he, the thirsting one, shows the woman to be the one truly thirsting. He--whose parched lips will say "I thirst" before he dies--is the source of life and life-giving water. Lent calls upon us to dwell on how each of us is thirsting for Christ, and it leads us, ultimately, back to the life-giving waters of our baptism into his Body.
(c) Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES
Sunday: Third Sunday of Lent; First Scrutiny
Friday: Abstinence
Saturday: First Saturday
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday: 2 Kgs 5:1-15b; Lk 4:24-30
Tuesday: Dn 3:25, 34-43; Mt. 18:21-35
Wednesday: Dt 4:1, 5-9; Mt 5:17-19
Thursday: Jer 7:23-28; Lk 11:14-23
Friday: Hos 14:2-10; Mk 12:28-34
Saturday: Hos 6:1-6; Lk 18:9-14
Sunday: 1 Sm 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a; Ps 23;Eph 5:8- 14; Jn 9:1-41[1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TODAY'S READINGS
First Reading -- When the people grumbled to Moses for water in the desert, the LORD heard and brought forth water from the rock for all to drink (Exodus 17:3-7).
Psalm -- If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts (Psalm 95).
Second Reading -- God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:1-2, 5-8).
Gospel -- Ask, and you will be given living water so that you will never thirst again (John 4:5-42 [5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42]).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FORGIVENESS
People who cannot forgive others break the bridge over which they must pass if they are to reach heaven; for everyone has a need to be forgiven. --George Herbert-- Romans 5:8
While we were still sinners Christ died for us.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayerful Journey Through Lent
+ Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place every Friday during Lent from 7:30AM to 7:30PM
+ Stations of the Cross and Benediction takes place every Friday evening during Lent at 7:30PM
+ All Fridays in Lent are days of Abstinence no meat or meat products for everyone over the age of 14)
+ Good Friday is a day of Fast and Abstinence (one full meal and abstinence for ages 18-59)
Recitation of the Holy Rosary will take place every Saturday after 9AM Mass and after Friday 7AM Mass.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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: $3955.00
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This weekend we share in the joy celebrating the Baptism of Adrianna Marie Fulmer
daughter of Leanne and Michael. Congratulations. May God bless you, guide you and keep you in his loving care.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
Parents who desire baptism for their children are invited to attend the baptism preparation classes held on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 in the Rectory Conference Room. To register for class please call the Rectory Office. 973-827-9575
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CONFIRMATION
Saturday, March 1st is a required Retreat for all 10th Graders. We will assemble for 9am Mass and activities for the day will take place in the Lyceum. Please plan on staying until 3PM.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SOUPer SUNDAY FOOD DONATIONS
The last Sunday of each month is SOUPer Sunday at Immaculate Conception Parish. Donations are sent to the Partnership for Social Services Family Center's Food Pantry. Through your good will, generosity and kindness we will be helping to meet the needs of the less fortunate families in our Community. The need is great so please continue to help! As always, we thank you for whatever you can offer, it is greatly appreciated.
"What did you do for the least of these?" Jesus identified himself with the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the imprisoned, and the stranger, insisting that when we serve them we serve him.
(Mt 25:40). A Place at the Table, US Conference of Catholic Bishops
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Lenten Reflection
Give up complaining...focus on gratitude.
Give up pessimism...become an optimist.
Give up harsh judgments...think kindly thoughts.
Give up worry...trust Divine Providence.
Give up discouragement...be full of hope.
Give up bitterness...turn to forgiveness.
Give up hatred...return good for evil.
Give up negativism...be positive.
Give up anger...be more patient.
Give up pettiness...become mature.
Give up gloom...enjoy the beauty all around you.
Give up jealousy...pray for trust.
Give up gossiping...control your tongue.
Give up sin...turn to virtue.
Give up giving up...hang in there!
EWTN
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Stephen Ministry Whatever You Did for the Least of These...You Did for Me…
In Matthew 25, Jesus says, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in...” Stephen Ministry is a way to respond to Jesus' great love by showing that love to others. Stephen Ministry is a confidential, one-to-one caring ministry. Stephen Ministers care for people facing a variety of personal crises. Please contact Eileen Theys at 973-579-6145.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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 7:00 AM Weekday Mass.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Easter Vigil Choir - All are welcome
Please join us and be part of our very special Easter Vigil Choir. Practices will be on Sundays, from 6:00—8:00pm for the Easter Vigil Mass on March 22nd at 8:00pm.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Palm Sunday
This year on Palm Sunday, March 16th, Father will be processing into the church from the back blessing the palms for the congregation. The procession is symbolic of Jesus' triumphant entrance into Jerusalem when the crowd greeted Him like a king. We would like some Parishioners to carry palms and be a part of the opening procession at the beginning of each Mass. If you wish to be part of the procession, please call the Rectory office or sign up in the back of the Church, indicating which Mass you will be attending that Sunday.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WANTED Crafters and Venders
for Craft Show—Flea Market—White Elephant Sale
Sponsored by St. Jude's Rosary Society Saturday, April 19, 2008, 9:30—3:30pm To be held at St. Jude the Apostle Church Hall. Only $15 rent per table.
Please call Judy 973-827-2045 to secure your table now.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Grief Support Group
If you or someone you know has suffered a loss, please join us for the next meeting Wednesday, March 5th from 7:00-8:30pm in the Ministry House.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dinner Dance - St Joseph Regional School invites you to step back in time to the Roaring Twenties Dinner, Dance, March 1st, 6:30PM, Perona Farms. Tickets are $50 p/p Call 908-362-7909
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Weekend of Discovery - A Lifetime of Love
Rediscover the one you love on a Marriage Encounter weekend! Register now for the March 7-9 weekend in East Hanover, NJ. Call 1-800-499-6552.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SFO Information Night
The San Damiano Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order will be hosting an information night on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 7:30PM. If you have an interest in growing closer to Christ and leaning about the Order, please contact Ken 973-668-5167 at Sacred Heart Center in Newton.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Congratulations Papal Mass Lottery Ticket Winners
This will be the first Papal Visit to the United States for Pope Benedict XVI. To culminate his visit on April 20th, he will be saying Mass at Yankee Stadium. Attending the Mass representing Immaculate Conception Parish will be:
Tamasa Sinad and her nephew, Gloria and Steve Morino, and Ron and Jeanne Sevean.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sussex County St. Patrick's Day Committee
Saturday, March 8th celebrate Mass at Immaculate Conception Chruch at 8am, followed by a 10am. Traditional Irish Breakfast at the Irish Cottage Inn to honor Ginnie and Bob Littell. For information please call Mark 973-827-5228 or Dennis 973-827-9179
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Knights of Columbus, Council#1026, Wayne NJ will be holding their 12th Annual St. Patrick's Cocktail Party and Dinner Dance on Saturday, March 15th from 7-Midnight. For tickets call Tom at 973-519-7926
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Irish American Assn. of NW Jersey offers ...Irish Language classes on Monday evenings. For info call 862-266-3563. Traditional Celtic Art classes: for info email pgallagher45@optonline.net.
For frequent traditional Irish music concerts and sessions. Check the website for dates: iaanj.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
March 19-23rd The Sacred Triduum Retreat
Celebrate the Christian Community's High Holy Days in an atmosphere of beauty, peace, and tranquility. Includes Easter Brunch! Carmel Retreat, Mahwah, NJ Call for Reservations/Information 201-327-7090
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lenten Day of Reflection March 1st
at Seton Hall University. The archdiocese of Newark Women's Commission is sponsoring a Lenten Day of Reflection 'On the Dignity of Women” from 9:30—4:00. Teresa Tomeo, a nationally-known speaker and talk show host, Janet Morana will be presenters. Cost is $35 pp ($25 for students/seniors/religious.) Call 973-497-4008 or visit www.rcan.org/womcom.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Operation Rice Bowl
is the official Lenten Program of Catholic Relief Services. We are called to participate with our families and faith communities; fast in solidarity with those who hunger; and give sacrificial contributions to those in need. Packets are found on the table in the center of the church.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Easter Flower Memorials
Please submit your Easter Flower Memorial envelopes early. Remember to PRINT all information to ensure accuracy in posting your loved one's name in the Easter Bulletin.
Thank you
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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, Harold & May Dickey, Debbie Yodice, JoAnn Ritz and Lisa Stine.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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, Mas. Stephen McKenzie and CPL Matt Lindquist.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Altar Server Schedule for 2/23-24
***Reminder*** If you are unable to serve at your assigned time, please call someone to arrange coverage. If you cannot, call Mrs. Morano as soon as possible. Please call Mrs. Morano to schedule service for Easter Sunday.
2/23 5PM JMcKeever JMcKeever
2/24 7:30 Williams Oroho
9:00 NMoscalow JPayne
10:30 DPeck JohnFriend
12:00 EBriggs CBrossman
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sunday Social: Don't forget to stop by the Lyceum after the 10:30 Mass each Sunday for our Sunday Social. Take the time to have a great cup of coffee and a donut or bagel and chat with your fellow parishioners! Thank you to all the wonderful volunteers who make the social possible each week!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parish Nurse Ministry
If you are a Registered Nurse and would like to become part of the monthly Blood Pressure Screenings, please call the Rectory for more information. We need your help to continue to provide this important service to our parishioners.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Our next Blood Pressure Screening is February 24th, in the Lyceum after the 10:30 a.m. Mass.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HEALING THROUGH UNDERSTANDING
It's curious how we find ourselves dividing life into “us” and “them,” and why we think “us” and “them” are different when we're really very much the same. It's probably because we find ourselves focusing on the differences instead of the similarities. So we find ourselves trying to understand both them and us. It's good to understand even when we don't always agree. We can find this same dynamic at work in this week's Gospel story. It's about two people in conversation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
INSIDE THE READINGS
In today's Gospel Jesus goes against the generally accepted ethnic and religious standards by speaking not only to a woman, but to a Samaritan woman. When the ten northern tribes were taken into exile in 722 BC, the Assyrians brought in pagans to join with the remaining Israelites. This combination of Jews and pagans formed the Samaritans. To the Jews of Judah, the southern tribe, the Samaritans were not true Jews. For instance, they accepted only the first five books of the Bible.
The Samaritans, as half-Jews, were rejected when they offered to help rebuild the Jerusalem Temple upon Judah's return from exile in 538 BC. The Samaritans then forcefully combated the rebuilding of the Temple. The Samaritans were not impressed by the prophetic insistence on Mount Zion's temple. They built their own temple on Mount Gerizim, which the Jewish high priest destroyed in 128 BC. With that background the attitude of the Samaritan woman at the beginning of today's Gospel is understandable. She first refers to Jesus as a "Jew" (John 4:9), not a complimentary title in her mind. Later she uses the more respectful "Sir" (4:11). The Greek text of her question in verse 12 makes it clear that she does not consider Jesus greater than Jacob. However, when he shows knowledge of her moral life, she accepts him as a prophet (4:19). She raises the question of the proper place to worship—Mount Zion or Mount Gerizim. Jesus points out that true worship in the future will be based on the Spirit of truth given by God. The woman then mentions the Messiah. Jesus assures her that he is the Messiah: "I am he" (4:26), using "ego eimi," the Greek translation of Yahweh.
Finally the woman shares her growing faith with the people of her town, leading them to accept Jesus on his word as "savior of the world" (4:42).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THOUGHTS FOR ACTION
Lent can be a time to know ourselves better, to understand who and what we are; and it can be a time to come to understand others, those with whom we disagree. It can bring healing and reconciliation. Excerpted and edited from LIVING THE WORD for the Third Sunday of Lent commentary by Msgr. Ralph Kuehner and Rev. Joseph Juknialis, ©2008 by J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. 2/24/08

---

While you are visiting the Immaculate Conception web site, be sure to sign in our guest book!!