TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in various forms of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Some people suggest that this recovers an ancient tradition in the church, when in fact the practice belongs to a later time. The custom of showing the consecrated host to the people, encased in a vessel called a monstrance, developed in a period of history when even very pious people received Communion only rarely. The opportunity to see the host raised high above the head of the priest at Mass, or to see the host exposed outside of Mass, was thought by many to be a form of spiritual Communion. Without question, our Catholic practice of reserving the consecrated host both for adoration and Communion of the sick and dying is a cherished tradition.
Over the next few weeks, we'll look at how these traditions developed and how the Church envisions reservation and adoration today. We do this by the light of the liturgical reforms that have restored a heightened appreciation for how receiving the Body and Blood of Christ is central to our worship. “Perpetual Adoration,” “Reservation,” “Benediction,” and “Reposition” are all part of Catholic vocabulary. Often the terms are misused, and a tangled history—as well as widely varying practices in our parishes—adds to the confusion. Many Catholics today have never participated in Benediction, or even spent time in adoration on Holy Thursday night. There's plenty of interesting history, much of it surprising and challenging and we will do our best to inform you along the way
Rev. James Field, © Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES
Sunday: Fourth Sunday of Lent; Laetare Sunday; Second Scrutiny
Monday: St. Katharine Drexel
Tuesday: St. Casimir
Friday: Ss. Perpetua and Felicity; First Friday; World Day of Prayer; Abstinence
Saturday: St. John of God; International Women's Day
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday: Is 65:17-21; Jn 4:43-54
Tuesday: Ez 47:1-9, 12; Jn 5:1-16
Wednesday: Is 49:8-15; Jn 5:17-30
Thursday: Ex 32:7-14; Jn 5:31-47
Friday: Wis 2:1a, 12-22; Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30
Saturday: Jer 11:18-20; Jn 7:40-53
Sunday: Ez 37:12-14; Ps 130; Rom 8:8-11;Jn 11:1-45 [3 -7, 17, 20-27, 33b- 45]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TODAY'S READINGS
First Reading: As the prophet Samuel anointed David with oil, the spirit of the LORD rushed upon David and remained with him from that day forward (1Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a).
Psalm: The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want (Psalm 23).
Second Reading: You who were once darkness are now light in the Lord. Live as children of light (Ephesians 5:8-14).
Gospel: The man who was blind from birth proclaimed: The one called Jesus made clay with his saliva, anointed my eyes with it, and told me wash. When I washed, I was able to see! (John 9:1-41 [1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38]).
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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: $5,009.00
SOUPer Bowl of Caring Donations: $750
Proceeds from the collection went to Sr. Thomasina at Partnership for Social Services. A sincere “Thank You” from the students of Pope John High School for your generous contributions.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This weekend we share in the joy celebrating the Baptism of
Ryan Thomas Marschall son of Laura and Ronald.
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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Inclement Weather Weekday Mass Cancellations
Please call the Rectory to check on the possible cancellation of the 7:00AM Weekday Mass.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sussex County St. Patrick's Day Committee
On Saturday, March 8th, celebrate Mass at Immaculate Conception Church 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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Way of the Cross - A Living Meditation
will be presented by the Franciscan Mystery Players to be held at St. Joseph Church, Halsted Street, Newton, NJ on Friday, March 7th, at 8:00PM. A free will offering is suggested.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Seven Spiritual Acts of Mercy
We are called to perform Spiritual Acts of Mercy during Lent. Kindness, like beauty, is more than skin-deep. These works of mercy reach in to touch people's minds, hearts, and emotions.
As Catholics, during the solemn and hopeful season of Lent, we are called to confess our sins, voluntarily fast and abstain, and be on the lookout for opportunities to do acts of mercy throughout our busy days.
1. Admonish the sinner
2. Instruct the ignorant
3. Counsel the doubtful
4. Comfort the sorrowful
5. Bear wrongs patiently
6. Forgive injuries
7. Pray for the living and the dead

The Seven Corporal Acts of Mercy
We are called to perform Corporal Acts of Mercy during Lent. Let us move from the outside inward, looking at the corporal works of mercy , those that help bodies.
We await with eager hearts and joyful anticipation the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and the message of hope that Easter Sunday brings.
1. Feed the hungry
2. Give drink to the thirsty
3. Clothe the naked
4. Shelter the homeless
5. Visit the sick
6. Visit the imprisoned
7. Bury the dead
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Easter Flower Memorials
Please submit your Easter Flower Memorial envelopes by March 16th in order to have the information posted in the Easter Bulletin. Remember to PRINT all information to ensure accuracy. Thank you
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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. Their mission is to help people draw closer to Christ in the spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi. 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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pass It Along “Serve -A- Thon”
On May 17th Pass It Along will hold their biggest day of service. They will be offering 20+ project sites for volunteers to donate their time to be part of a team who will be doing everything from making meals for families in need, to creating vegetable gardens for senior citizens. Please consider spending the day with others who have committed themselves to making a difference in the lives of others. Contact Susan at Pass It Along 973-726-9777 x226 or visit www.passitalong.org. If you would like to coordinate an Immaculate Conception Team of volunteers or if you are interested in being on the ICC team, please call the Rectory Office. One day can make a lifetime of difference in someone's life.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Attention 9/11 Workers and Volunteers
If you did paid or unpaid rescue, recovery, or cleanup work in Lower Manhattan during the year after 9/11/2001 you may be eligible for medical and wage replacement benefits...but only if you register first with the New York State Workers' Compensation Board before August 13, 2008. Registering now will preserve your right to file a Workers (Volunteers') Compensation Claim for a 9/11 related Disorder—no matter when it develops in the future. For more information or to register visit www.nycosh.org or call 1-866-WTC-2556.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WANTED Crafters and Venders 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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Certificate in Ministry Programs Open House
Wednesday, March 19th,
6-8pm at Annunciation Center, College of Saint Elizabeth, Morristown, NJ. The College is now offering Certificate in Ministry Programs for: Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Religious Education, Parish Life Ministries, and Pastoral Administration. Programs are now available online!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Choose Life… The delicate buds of spring, bursting with new life, will soon appear on trees and flowers. Easter brings another even more precious form of new life. As we value and protect these types of new life, let us act with the same reverence and awe toward the miracle in the gift of each new human life. National Right to Life Committee
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Valerie Fund
The Valerie Fund's mission is to provide support for the comprehensive health care of children with cancer and blood disorders. Senior Girl Scout Troop 752 will be accepting donations this weekend for the Valerie Fund as part of their Gold Award Project.
Any assistance will be appreciated.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Parishioners Take Note
Please note any changes in the scheduled times for Adoration, Benediction, and Stations of the Cross. These changes may occur due to other parish activities.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lenten Evening Talk and Reflection
Presenter, Fr. Tom Wisniewski, will talk about “Conversion—it's for Catholics Too!”
St. Jude the Apostle Church Hall, March 5th, 7:30 pm.
Call : 973-827-2280 for more information.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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, Maj. Stephen McKenzie, Ryan Halkirt and CPL Matt Lindquist.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Looking Forward to a Spiritual Get-Away?
· Bethany Spirituality Center Pilgrimage to Italy, including Assisi, Siena, Florence and Rome, March 25-April 3, 2008 led by Sr. Pat Reid, OSF, and Rev. Bill Drobach, SA. Mass will be celebrated daily. For information call 845-460-3061.
· St. Monica's Church Present the Caribbean with Cunard Cruise Lines on the Queen Mary 2. 11/days/10 nights April 6, 2008. For more information contact Carol Besak 973-875-4521
· St. John Vianney Parish is sponsoring an 11 day trip to Lourdes and the Shrines of France, June 5-15, escorted by Fr. Matthew Twiggs. Call 973-208-1200
· Join Bishop Serratelli on a diocesan pilgrimage to the Shrines of France and Lourdes, July 9-16. Call 201-825-3725 or E-mail: greatexinc@verizon.net
· Religious Pilgrimage in Assisi, Italy, July 5-15 This pilgrimage is sponsored by the Assisi Music Festival. Join Msgr. Paul Bochicchio, Pastor of Holy Family Church, Nutley, NJ. with special Masses at The Basilica of St. Francis and the Vatican. For more information call Gregory Scime 908-277-1145
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Option for the Poor
Jesus guides the Samarian woman to a greater appreciation of the Truth-Himself. Education is key to our lives, regardless of our age. A fundamental option for the poor is a central tenet of the Church's teachings and mission. CRS helps to expand educational opportunities worldwide, giving new hope to the poor. 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. Your participation in Operation Rice Bowl will make the dreams of young people achievable.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A DIFFERENT SET OF EYES
It has been said that few of us truly become believers before the age of thirty-five, after we've had some life experiences. Only then do we begin to see life in a new way, with a different set of eyes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
INSIDE THE READINGS
The cure of the blind man in today's Gospel took place during the feast of Tabernacles, the most popular of the pilgrimage feasts. Two aspects of that feast are reflected in John's account: a daily procession with water from the Pool of Siloam to pray for rain, and huge lights in the Women's Court, which illuminated Jerusalem. In the midst of that brightness Jesus says, "While I am in the world, I am the light of the world" (9:5). He then encourages the blind man to wash in the Pool of Siloam (9:7).
The author points out that Siloam means Sent, a word frequently applied to Christ in this Gospel. The blind man finds healing by immersing himself in Jesus. There are many other references to baptism, for example illumination, anointing, and the use of spittle. In the early church at the great scrutiny this passage of John was read with its climax being the profession of faith by the man who had been healed, "I do believe, Lord" (9:38).
The fourth Gospel uses two principal words for its seven miracles: works and signs. Works indicate the source of the miracle, namely God; signs indicate the purpose of the miracle, namely to lead one to God through Jesus. The Old Testament used both concepts. "Come and see the works of God" (Psalm 66:5). God says to Moses, "How long will they refuse to believe in me, despite all the signs I have performed among them?" (Numbers 14:11).
However, one must respond freely to these works and signs. In today's Gospel there is division. Some neighbors accept the sign and others do not. Some Pharisees do not believe in Jesus: "This man is not from God" (9:16); but others are inclined to believe: "How can a sinful man do such signs?" (9:16).
The man born blind is an excellent example for all followers of Jesus. He readily admits his failings, but reads the sign of his miracle correctly. He turns with living faith to the one who did the work.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THOUGHTS FOR ACTION
The response to seeing with the eyes of faith is to become a follower. But then we can find ourselves excluded from our customary activities, as did the blind man of the Gospel. It can make the journey of a believer a lonely one.
Excerpted and edited from LIVING THE WORD for the Fourth Sunday of Lent commentary by Msgr. Ralph Kuehner and Rev. Joseph Juknialis, © 2008 by J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.3/2/08
The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
-- Psalm 23:1

---

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