Fifth Sunday in Lent
JESUS' MINISTRY SUMMARIZED
The story of the raising of Lazarus from the dead is the single longest story (apart from the Passion) in the Gospel of John. In it we find a summary of most of Jesus' ministry. We see his very human nature as he is moved by Martha and Mary's sorrows and as he himself weeps at the tomb of Lazarus. He is the wisdom of God's Word made flesh as he explains to his followers that the death of Lazarus will serve as a sign of the glory of God. He crowns the miracles he works in John's Gospel (which began with the most "human" miracle of making new wine at Cana's wedding) by raising Lazarus from the dead--a "preview," if you will, of his own death and resurrection to come. This portrait of Jesus reminds us, as we near the end of our Lenten journey, that he is with us, knows us, understands us in every moment of our lives. He knows the joy of our human feasting, he knows the sorrow of our weeping. As we prepare to walk with him through the days of Holy Week, we are filled with faith that--through Christ--God's glory will be with us in every moment of our lives and--with Christ--in our life everlasting. (c) Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.
SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES
Sunday: Fifth Sunday of Lent; Third Scrutiny; Girl Scout Sunday; Daylight Saving Time
Monday: Orthodox Lent begins
Friday: Abstinence
Saturday: St. Joseph
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday: Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 [41c-62]; Jn 8:1-11
Tuesday: Nm 21:4-9; Jn 8:21-30
Wednesday: Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95; Jn 8:31-42
Thursday: Gn 17:3-9; Jn 8:51-59
Friday: Jer 20:10-13; Jn 10:31-42
Saturday: 2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16; Rom 4:13, 16-18, 22; Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a or Lk 2:41-51a
Sunday: Mt 21:1-11 (procession);Is 50:4-7; Ps 22; Phil :6-11; Mt 26:14 -- 27:66 [27:11-54]
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TODAY'S READINGS
First Reading -- Thus says the Lord GOD: I will open your graves, have you rise from them, and settle you on your land. (Ezekiel 37:12-14).
Psalm -- With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption (Psalm 130).
Second Reading -- If Christ is in you, the spirit is alive even if the body is dead because of sin (Romans 8:8-11).
Gospel -- Lazarus, dead four days, comes out of his tomb when Jesus calls his name. (John 11:1-45 [3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45]).
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The Feast of Divine Mercy celebrated on the Octave of Easter (the Sunday after Easter Sunday), is a relatively new addition to the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar. Celebrating the Divine Mercy of Jesus Christ, as revealed by Christ Himself to Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, this feast was extended to the entire Catholic Church by Pope John Paul II on April 30, 2000, the day that he canonized Saint Faustina.
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Mark Your Calendars
A Video on the Divine Mercy will be shown in the Church Lyceum on the following dates:
3/13: 7:30 PM,
3/15: 6:00 PM,
3/21: After our Good Friday Church Service
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Baptisms:
This weekend we share in the joy celebrating the Baptism of
Sarah J. Wronka, Daughter of Kelly and Stephen
Sean Robert Beck, Son of Amy and Robert
Congratulations. May God bless you, guide you and keep you in his loving care.
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Easter Flower Memorials
Please submit your Easter Flower Memorial envelopes by Sunday, March 16th, to be included in the Easter Bulletin. Remember to PRINT all information to ensure accuracy in posting your loved one's name. Thank you
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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.
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The national average for children in families with incomes below the federal poverty level in 2005 is 20%. In New Jersey that percentage is 25. New Jersey ranks 44th in the country for covering children in this income group. To learn more about poverty visit:
www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/poverty
www.actnow.org/docs/07/First-Things-First-New-Jersey.pdf
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Choose Life...“God's love does not differentiate between the newly conceived human infant still in his or her mother's womb and the child or young person, or the adult and the elderly person. God does not distinguish between them because he sees an impression of his own image and likeness in each one.” Pope Benedict XVI, 2/27/06
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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: $5,446.00
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Ways to care and share during the season of Lent:
+Remind those you love how special they are.
+Encourage those who live alone to talk about themselves and really listen to what they are saying.
+Make time for “Spiritual Reading” for yourself and with your family.
+Make an effort to have family meals more regularly.
+Make a quick stop at a relative's house for an overdue visit.
+Remember to say grace at mealtime.
+Pray in the evening alone, as a couple and/or as a family.
+Pray the rosary together.
+Volunteer at a food pantry or help prepare a meal for someone alone.
+Sort through closets and give away outgrown clothes to a charity.
If our efforts to make changes falter, we can remind ourselves that we are not perfect. We can also remember that we are given the gift starting the process over again and taking another opportunity to consciously make choices in line with the life we have been taught to live as Catholics.
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The Marquette Council #588, Knights of Columbus
will be hosting a Corned Beef and Cabbage Luncheon at the Newton VFW (opposite Sussex County Community College) immediately following the Sussex County St. Patrick's Day Parade which starts at 10:30 on March 15th. Entertainment: Irish Band and Bagpipes.
Tickets $8.
For information and tickets call Henry: 973-827-3228.
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Confirmation : Come Holy Spirit
“Come Holy Spirit, enkindle the Fire of Your Love. Transform all that is fearful into boldness of heart. Inspire Your servants with Wonder and Awe at the Mystery of Your Presence. Confirm Your friends in compassion and Forgiveness. Whisper Discernment in the midst of confusion; be Wisdom in time of trouble; Reverence in the face of Diversity; Patience with the unfolding of life and forever anoint Your messengers with Joy. Amen” Blessing: Pat Bergen, CSJ
Congratulations to those who were Confirmed on March 7, 2008
Kevin Basek
Matthew Burns
Robert Buch
Jennifer Buda
Brandon Chiesa
John Christiano
Nicholas Conte
Michael Cox
Alex Dec
Gina DeStefano
Nicholas Gebhardt
Brian Grogaard
Jared Hintzen
Mary Hocking
Amanda Kell
Gregory Knapick
Andrew Koske
Maria Latanzio
Rubenice Latorre
Eric MacPherson
Katherine McClellan
Daniel McDonald
Ashley Napovier
James Oroho
Timothy Payton
Deanna Peck
Andrea Panella
William Pereira
Michael Riley
Nicole Ruiz
Katherine Scott
Jennifer Stickle
Nicole Pryka
Steven Tizzano
Devon Tremont
RaeAnn Trohanowski
Jacob Williams
Nathan Yahm
Artur Zaniewski
Dear Lord, Look kindly on all those confirmed as they listen to your voice. Open their hearts to Your Spirit and bring to fulfillment the good work you have begun in them. Amen
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Altar Server Schedule for 3/15-16
5:00 AHamler, JHamler
7:30 JOroho, MKHubbard
9:00 JDragon ASica
10:30 AKnapick, GKnapick
12:00 AAllen, NCarafello
HOLY THURSDAY 8:00pm: KMorano, SMorano
Stations of the Cross 12:30 at the Cemetery: JMcKeever
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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, Harold & May Dickey, Debbie Yodice, JoAnn Ritz 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, Maj. Stephen McKenzie, Ryan Halkirt and CPL Matt Lindquist.
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Looking Forward to a Spiritual Get-Away?
+· 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
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Option for 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.
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Prayerful Journey Through Lent
+Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: Fridays 7:30AM to 7:30PM.
+Benediction and Stations of the Cross: Fridays at 7:30PM.
+All Fridays are days of Abstinence.
+Good Friday is a day of Fast and Abstinence.
+Holy Rosary: Sat. after 9AM Mass & after Fri. 7AM Mass.
(Weekly changes may occur due to church activities.)
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LIFE AND DEATH EXPOSED
To be called forth from death into life, as was Lazarus, is to be called into a new way of being. There is no going back, and that realization takes us to the heart of who we are.
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INSIDE THE READINGS
Jesus himself makes clear the purpose of the miracle in today's Gospel. Raising Lazarus from the dead is "for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it" (John 11:4). John sees the death of Jesus as a step on his path to glorification. "When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself" (12:32). John often uses words with a twofold meaning. Here "lifted up" has that twofold meaning, namely crucified and exalted.
The Church is stressing the baptismal significance of the death and resurrection of Jesus, prepared for by the death and miraculous resurrection of Lazarus. Paul makes this application in his letter to the Romans: "We were indeed buried with [Christ] through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life" (Romans 6:4).
Martha expresses her faith in the resurrection of the body on the last day (John 11:24). This was the faith of the Pharisees at the time of Jesus and has always been the faith of the church. Martha also proclaims three important titles of Jesus, namely Christ (Messiah), Son of God, and the one who is coming into the world (11:27).
Another important teaching of this episode is the effectiveness of God's word. "God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light" (Genesis 1:3). Here Jesus, the Son of God, says, “'Lazarus, come out!' The dead man came out" (11:43-44).
The themes of Christ as the light and life of the world are also prominent in this section of the Gospel. These two themes are brought together here: "Could not the one who opened the eyes of the blind man [light] have done something so that this man would not have died [life]?" (11:37).
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THOUGHTS FOR ACTION
Common wisdom says that when splitting wood we shouldn't aim for the point where the blade enters the wood, but rather for a point an inch or two below the entry. That way the focus of the swing continues to build energy, carrying the blade beyond the surface to the very depth of the wood. That is what Jesus does; he goes to the very heart of who and what we are and exposes us to life.
Excerpted and edited from LIVING THE WORD for the Fifth Sunday of Lent commentary by Msgr. Ralph Kuehner and Rev. Joseph Juknialis, © 2008 by J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.3/9/08
When we seek the Lord, we find ...assurance in His word, strength in His presence, comfort in His mercy, peace in His Love.
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