JESUS AND THE DEVIL
The devil tempted Jesus by quoting scripture, as today's Gospel reminds us. Try a self-serving miracle. Try selling out. Try dazzling the audience; people are gullible, after all. Try all these easy ways. The tempter tries to urge Jesus onto the slippery slope, attempts the old soft-soap, the snake-oil solutions that are always readily at hand. The devil knows better, but is powerless to do better, much less be better. The devil is evil personified, who senses in Jesus the stronger, truly attractive presence of holiness.
Evil is exposed and engaged, we are reminded in this Sunday's Gospel. Evil knows the jig is up. The undoing of lies begins with Jesus, who takes up the work of soul-healing and world-healing. This Lent, the Church invites us to enter into this renewing, re-creative work and be made whole again. © Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.
SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES
Sunday: First Sunday of Lent; Rite of Election;
Rite of Calling the Candidates to Continuing
Conversion; Rite of Sending
Friday: First Friday; World Day of Prayer; Abstinence
Saturday: St. Katharine Drexel; First Saturday;
Purim (Jewish observance) begins at sunset
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday: Lv 19:1-2, 11-18; Mt 25:31-46
Tuesday: Is 55:10-11; Mt 6:7-15
Wednesday: Jon 3:1-10; Lk 11:29-32
Thursday: Est C:12, 14-16, 23-25; Mt 7:7-12
Friday: Ez 18:21-28; Mt 5:20-26
Saturday: Dt 26:16-19; Mt 5:43-48
Sunday: Gn 15:5-12, 17-18; Ps 27; Phil 3:17 4:1 [3:20 4:1]; Lk 9:28b-36
The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart.
Romans 10:8
TODAY'S READINGS
First Reading God brought us into this country, this land flowing with mild and honey (Deuteronomy 26:4-10).
Psalm Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble (Psalm 91).
Second Reading The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart (Romans 10:8-13).
Gospel Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus was led into the desert for forty days (Luke 4:1-13).
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The Church gives us the practices of Lent - prayer, fasting and almsgiving- to help us prepare to receive whatever God wants to give us. These practices are a signal to God and to ourselves that we know we need God's intervention in our lives. Lent is designed by the Church to encourage us to act first and then gain the motivation to change our lives.
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May the special graces of baptism, through water and the Holy Spirit lead you to everlasting life.
Our community at Immaculate Conception Church rejoices with you and gives praise and thanks to God for this new gift of life.
Nicholas Charles Koester
son of Daria & Ronald Koester
Nicholas John D'Apolito
son of Kathleen & Anthony D'Apolito
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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 for last week's collection.
Last Sunday's Collection: $5,924.00
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Immaculate Conception's 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. The next meeting is on March 7th from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Ministry House (former Convent).
Just as grief is unique to each person, so is the length of the grieving process. Grief is a process that can't be hurried.
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Ministry to the Homebound
If you are unable to come to Church or know of someone who is homebound and would like to receive Communion, please call Janice at the Rectory at 973-827-9575 and arrangements will be made to visit your home. Janice is in the office on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
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Prayer Shawl Ministry
Our next Prayer Shawl Meeting is March 19th at 7:30 p.m. in the Ministry House.
Please join us in this loving Ministry. We share prayers and stories that affirm the power of God's presence.
If you would like to join or donate yarn or needles please call Janice or Isabel at 973-827-9575.
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Gracious God, may my prayer this Lent bring me closer to you and reveal your will to me more clearly.
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Lent... experience a prayerful journey by attending:
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place every Friday during Lent from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Stations of the Cross and Benediction takes place every Friday evening during Lent at 7:00 p.m.
Abstinence means no meat or meat products for all who have reached the age of 14. All Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence.
Fast means one full meal or meat products for everyone between the ages of 18 and 59.
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Operation Rice Bowl
Jesus went to the desert after his baptism to reflect on God's word, and specifically God's call to him. He was tempted by the devil with worldly goods, but always remained faithful to God, knowing that no one who believes in Him shall be put to shame.
In our own day many people struggle to find adequate work and earn a living wage for their families. As Catholics we believe that all people should be respected for their work and that all people have certain basic rights, including the right to earn a wage that is adequate to support a family. Catholic Relief Services helps individuals and small groups in Mexico and other countries start their own businesses, such as farm cooperatives or small stores, so that they may earn enough for food and to pay for their children to go to school. Please support CRS' microfinance projects with your prayers, fasting, learning and giving with Operation Rice Bowl this week. Visit www.crs.org to learn more.
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Sunday Social ~ March 4th
The Lyceum renovation is complete! Our weekly Sunday Social will resume on March 4th following the 10:30 a.m. Mass. Come, relax and enjoy time with fellow parishioners.
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Lenten Reflection Evenings
at St. Jude the Apostle Church
Lent is a special time for all of us to reflect on Christ's suffering and death. Dr. Thomas Wisniewski from the College of St. Elizabeth will present Christ's suffering and death in light of the gospels. His presentations will take place on Wednesday evenings March 14, 21, 28 and April 4th from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the church hall at St. Jude the Apostle Church in Hamburg. There will also be time for questions and answers. Please take time for you and your family to enhance your love for Christ.
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Our Annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner will be held on March 3rd at 7:00 PM in the Lyceum. If you participate in any ministries at Immaculate Conception Church and have not yet received your invitation and would like to attend, please call Janice or Isabel at the rectory @973-827-9575.
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Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place each Friday during Lent beginning on February 23rd, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. concluding with Stations of the Cross and Benediction. Sign-up sheets are located on the podium near the confessional area.
Please sign up for a time you are available to assure that there is adequate coverage each hour. If you sign up for a specific hour but find that you are unable to attend, please call the rectory.
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Paterson Diocesan Council
of the National Council of Catholic Women
Lenten Spiritual Enrichment Day for Women
Presenter: Rev. Anthony Ciorra, Ph.D.
Dean of the Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education at Fordham University, former Director of the Center for Theological and Spiritual Development at the College of Saint Elizabeth, internationally know Spiritual Director, Preacher, Author, Educator.
SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2007 from 9:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. St. Clement Pope & Martyr Parish, 154 Pleasant Ave, Rockaway 2 minutes from Rt 80 - near Rockaway Townsquare Mall.
Coffee and registration at 9 a.m. - Program at 9:30 a.m.; Celebration of the Eucharist at 11:00 a.m.
All women of the Diocese are invited to attend and to enjoy this enriching and inspiring program. Donation (including registration) is $5.00. Please bring a brown bag lunch; beverages and dessert will be served.
Call the rectory at 973-827-9575 if you would like to attend . All reservations and fees must be in by March 13th.
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Natural Family Planning - Give your health and your marriage a fresh start learn NFP! A spring session on Natural Family Planning will begin March 2nd at St. Anthony's Church in Butler. To register please call, 973-838-3731 or email njnfp@hotmail.com. For information on modern methods of NFP visit www.ccli.org
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HELP SUPPORT
Immaculate Conception Regional School!
Scrip gift cards available after Masses and at
the school. Shop-Rite, Weis, A&P available in many denominations.
Also available: Sussex Meat Packing, Staples, Barnes and Noble, J.C. Penney, Sears, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Wendy's Applebee's and many more. The cards cost only face value with a percentage returned to the school from the retailer. See Marie McKeever or contact Kathy Trainor at the school 973-827-3777.
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Tricky Tray
St. Jude's Parish, Hamburg, will be sponsoring their annual Tricky Tray at Wallkill Valley regional High School on Friday, March 9, 2007. No admission fee. Doors open at 6:30 PM Drawing starts at 8:00 PM sharp!
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Baby Shower for Birth Haven
Our Confirmation students will be sponsoring the Annual Baby Shower for Birth Haven each Sunday during Lent, at which time they will collect items needed for babies as well as the new moms.
Birth Haven has been in existence for over 20 years and has provided support and hope for teens and women who have chosen to carry their pregnancies to full term. It is an independent, non-profit organization that welcomes women from all over New Jersey, regardless of age, race, creed, nationality, financial ability or marital status. Birth Haven is the only transitional home that accepts and welcomes minors.
All donations may be brought to Church and placed near the bassinet any Sunday during Lent, ending on Palm Sunday.
Wish List
Phone Cards, Ladies' Watches, Boppy Pillows, Batteries (AA,C,D), Laundry Baskets, C-Fold Towels, 1"-3" Ring Binders, Journals, Week-a-glance Planners, Towels, Slippers, Spring and Summer PJ's, Gift Certificates to Block Buster, Old Navy, and Wal-Mart.
Thank you for your support!
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TCSF Scholarship Application Announcement
Applications for scholarships from the Tri-County Scholarship Fund serving students who wish to attend private or parochial schools in Morris, Passaic and Sussex Counties are now available. Scholarships are issued based on financial need. Please consider:
The average income of the families TCSF serves is $21,260.
90% of our recipients qualify for the Federal Government's free or reduced lunch program.
78% of TCSF families are single parent households.
The Tri-County Scholarship Fund is a 501(c) (3) private, non-sectarian organization committed to the care and development of economically disadvantaged children in Passaic, Morris and Sussex Counties. Scholarship aid goes towards quality, value centered education, through scholarships to private and parochial schools, for those who need it the most in grades Kindergarten through Twelve.
If you qualify, or know of someone who would benefit from this financial assistance, please call Mary Pat Wagner at 973-984-9600 for an application. For the academic year 2006-2007, TCSF was able to offer almost $900,000 in assistance. If you would like to make a contribution, please call or visit us at www.tcsfund.org and click on Donate.
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2007 Sussex County St Patrick's Day Parade- The 4th Annual Sussex County St. Patrick's Day Parade is scheduled to be held on Saturday, March 10, 2007 on Spring Street in Newton with a start time of 12:00 Noon. This is the second year that the parade will be held in the County Seat of Newton. The parade route will run through downtown Newton, along Spring Street, ending at Memory Park and will last about an hour. This years Grand Marshal is Sussex County Freeholder Glen Vetrano. Glen is also a Battalion Chief for the Paterson Fire Department. For more information please contact Dennis Harrington, Committee Chairman at 973-827-9179.
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Please remember to pray for our parishioners and friends who are ill:
In Nursing Homes: Anna Elekes, Beatrice Brown, Catherine Alvino, Arthur Schaffhauser, Joanna Tugoluko, Mary Devine, Richard Gulitus, Marie DeMario, Betty Swetz, Ed Knight, Frank Kalafut.
At Home: Loraine Schenker, Diane Sidoli, Robert Zeuner, Russell Covert, Jr., Evelyn Caljean, Agnes Maselli, Anthony Fehir, Zina Restivo, Danielle Dionisio, Christine Huntley, Steven Itchy Novak, Gabbi Welsch, Flo Yurchak, Ethel Segarra, Mary Carmody, Madison Dorr, Michael Soojian, Don Tilley, Jr. Lisa Stine, Kath Sciascia and Edward Padgett.
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Please continue to keep all those serving in the military in your thoughts and prayers especially:
Dan Greene, Jamison Micke, Stephen Saski, Jr., Christopher Faber, SFC Morgan McHose, Kevin Remus, LCPL William Mathes, LCPL Ernest Mathes, Karen Hassler and Tom Oroho.
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A Family Perspective
The devil tempted Jesus to ignore his Father and to rely on his own abilities (possessions, fame & power). We face the same temptations if we think we earned our blessings. Jesus teaches us to recognize God's protection and love as the source of our blessings and warns not to put the Lord, your God, to the test.
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ADOLESCENT FERTILITY APPRECIATION PROGRAM
This program offers a wonderful opportunity for mothers and daughters to be together as they learn about respect and appreciation for the gift of human fertility and sexuality as well as communication between parent and child.
The purpose of the program is to provide an atmosphere of love and learning to discuss the important topic of growing up and establish a foundation for respect and continued communication between parent and child. The program will be presented by the Paterson Diocese Office of Family Life and volunteer mothers who believe this special time should be shared by mothers and daughters together.
DATE: Sunday, March 4, 2007 TIME: 1:00 - 4:00 pm
WHO: 10-12 year old girls and their mothers
WHERE: St. Clare's Hospital Auditorium, 25 Pocono Road, Denville, NJ
COST: $20 per daughter. Mothers attend free. $30 maximum per family. If you are interested in attending, call 973- 777-8818 ext.264 to find out if space is still available.
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Lord, this Lent, help me to draw closer to you as the center of my life - and the reason I do everything.
LENTEN RENEWAL
Lent can be a time of returning to our roots. Some would see the season as penitential; a time of reparation for sin; others as a time for growing more prayerful or for reestablishing lives of service or for deepening faith. And it can be all of that. Yet the readings of this Lenten Sunday take us back to how it once was and who was once doing the shaping of life.
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INSIDE THE READINGS
The thread that unites the three temptations of Jesus in the desert is the use of scripture by Jesus. He answers each temptation with a quotation from the book of Deuteronomy. The Israelites in the desert during their forty years of wandering were also tempted, but failed to pass the test. Luke emphasizes the role of the Spirit in the success of Jesus. He is "filled with the Holy Spirit" and "was led by the Spirit into the desert" (4:1).
In the third temptation the devil even quotes scripture to assure Jesus of angelic protection (Psalm 91:11, 12). But the psalmist has in mind God's ordinary protection of those whom God loves, not helping a person who is tempting God by rash action. "You shall not put the LORD, your God, to the test" (Deuteronomy 6:16). Luke's Gospel sets the third temptation in Jerusalem because that city is always the place of destiny for Jesus.
In the first and third temptations, the devil uses the phrase "If you are the Son of God." This is a follow-up to the baptismal scene in which "a voice came from heaven, 'You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased' " (Luke 3:22). The devil is putting that title of Jesus to the test. Jesus' responses not only accept the title, but prove that he deserves it as an obedient Son. His rejection of these temptations is an example for all his followers.
THOUGHTS FOR ACTION
There are myriad ways of making the Lenten journey back to our roots. Spend time with the scriptures. Read the lives of the saints. Go on a retreat. Visit a shrine. Keep a journal. Pray the rosary again. Sit with silence. Make the Stations of the Cross. Offer peace to an enemy. Visit the sick or a shut-in. Give enough alms to notice the pinch. Do some spiritual reading. Fast and abstain from meat. They are all part of our tradition and shards of our own pasts. In them we will once more meet ourselves, perhaps as if for the first time, and remember dreams long lost in the clutter of life's demands.
Excerpted and edited from LIVING THE WORD FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT commentary by Msgr. Ralph Kuehner and Rev. Joseph Juknialis,
© 2007 by J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. 2/25/07
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