FROM FATHER RICK

 

DEAR FRIENDS,

 

Father Andrew Ciferni, a Norbertine priest from Daylesford Abbey in Pennsylvania, is a renowned liturgist and preacher. The following piece on fasting in light of this Sunday’s gospel was written by him for LTP. I offer it for our reflection during the coming week.

 

Spiritual Carrots

Carrots supposedly help your eyesight. Fasting helps your vision! Vision is acquired and shaped. We learn to see and learning to recognize the real from the unreal demands discipline. Art experts spend a lifetime learning to distinguish authentic paintings from fakes and reproductions.

 

The preface to the Eucharistic Prayer today proclaims that Jesus had to teach his disciples that “the promised Christ first had to suffer and so come to the glory of his resurrection.” While preparing them for his death, he revealed himself in glory. Fasting is certainly a way of dying to self. Can it also reveal Christ’s glory within us?

 

The transfigured body of Christ was a foretaste of his risen glory. Our engagement in fasting is a participation in the freedom promised us at baptism. God’s gifts are good but too often these goods are made by us into little gods who rule and dominate our lives. We are often ruled by the desires fueled within us by images of food and drink served up by TV, radio and magazines. Fasting is an exercise in freedom. It is a death to what we want in order to discover our deepest and truest needs. At the center we discover the glory of Christ who strengthens us in all our dyings.

 

What one thing is fasting helping you to see more clearly?

 

Copyright © 2001 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1800 North Hermitage Avenue, Chicago IL 60622‑1101; 1‑800‑933‑1800; www.ltp.org. Text by Andrew Ciferni, opraem. Art by Susie Novak. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

 

 

CATHOLIC APPEAL

The Catholic Foundation of the Archdiocese, which oversees the annual Catholic Appeal, has changed the starting and ending date of the campaign after consultations with a number of pastors in the archdiocese. This year’s Appeal will begin on March 1/2 and conclude in June, rather than May to December. There will be more information coming over the next couple of weeks. Please begin thinking about your participation in this important effort of our parish and the archdiocese.

 

 

LENTEN WEEKDAY MASS

Weekday Mass is celebrated during Lent on Monday through Friday at 12:10 pm.

 

 

Have a great week,

If you want peace – work for justice (Pope Paul VI),

Fr. Rick

 

 

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Imagine being part of an organization that fills your heart and your mind with the joy of giving to others and the feeling that comes with making a difference. Knights are Catholic men, 18 years of age and older, who are committed to making their community a better place, while supporting their Church. Being a Knight is more than camaraderie; it is being involved with your community; it is supporting your local Catholic Church, while enhancing your own faith and setting a good faith example; it is about protecting and enhancing your family life. You can volunteer as much as you like or as little and on your own schedule. For more information about the parish council or upcoming events, contact Jim McKain at 978-475-7931 or Jim_McKain@NLTek.com, or go online to www.saintroberts.net/kofc.htm.

 

Next Meeting: Wednesday, March 5, 7:30 pm, Driscoll Hall

 

UPCOMING EVENTS–MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

 

Sunday, February 24

Family Breakfast

8:15-11:00 am, Driscoll Hall

 

Thursday, March 6

Community Blood Drive

2:00-8:00 pm, Driscoll Hall

 

Saturday, March 8

St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Dance, Driscoll Hall

Cocktails at 6:30, Corned Beef Dinner at 7:30

 

Friday, March 14

Friday Fish Bake

Starting at 5:30 pm, Driscoll Hall

 

 

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Stewardship Reflection

 

“Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you.” Genesis 12:1

 

God calls all of us to leave behind our old ways and to follow Him, placing our complete trust in Him. Some of the old ways that we may have to struggle to leave behind might be materialism and selfishness and greed. Yet God promises to show us a new land, a better place than the rat race we often live in now.

 

 

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LENTEN GOSPEL GIVING

for February 23/24—Third Sunday of Lent

 

"Whoever drinks the water I give

will never be thirsty." (John 4)

 

Thirst–next week please bring in a 3-pack of DRINK BOXES for Bread and Roses.

 

 

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Scouting for Food

 

The Scouts collected over 3,037 food items from our door to door campaign and at the church. The food was distributed to area food pantries. Thanks again from the many people you helped, the Outreach Committee, and the scouts and leaders of Troop and Pack 79!

 

 

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Money Matters

On the weekend of February 9/10

 

Weekly donations $3,241.00

Monthly donations $705.00

 

 

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PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PARISH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18.

  

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Mass Schedule and Intentions

 

Saturday, February 16, Vigil, 2nd Sunday of Lent

4:00 pm: Steve Harris & Henry Ebner

 

Sunday, February 17, 2nd Sunday of Lent

9:00 am: Rosemary Bernal

11:00 am: Bruce Campbell

 

Monday, February 18, Lenten Weekday Mass

12:10 pm

 

Tuesday, February 19, Lenten Weekday Mass

12:10 pm

 

Wednesday, February 20, Lenten Weekday Mass

12:10 pm

 

Thursday, February 21, Lenten Weekday Mass

12:10 pm

 

Friday, February 22, Lenten Weekday Mass

12:10 pm: Marian Julie Banville Koch

 

Saturday, February 23, Vigil, 3rd Sunday of Lent

4:00 pm: Tony DiMascio

 

Sunday, February 24, 3rd Sunday of Lent

9:00 am: Patricia Grace

11:00 am: Joanne Riddle

 

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Prayers requested for longtime parishioner Herb Murray

 

 

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Readings for the Week of February 17, 2008

Sunday:            Gn 12:1-4a/2 Tm 1:8b-10/Mt 17:1-9

Monday:            Dn 9:4b-10/Lk 6:36-38

Tuesday:           Is 1:10, 16-20/Mt 23:1-12

Wednesday:      Jer 18:18-20/Mt 20:17-28

Thursday:          Jer 17:5-10/Lk 16:19-31

Friday:              1 Pt 5:1-4/Mt 16:13-19

Saturday:          Mi 7:14-15, 18-20/Lk 15:1-3, 11-32

Next Sunday:    Ex 17:3-7/Rom 5:1-2, 5-8/Jn 4:5-42 or 4:5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42

 

 

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In Service

 

Kevin Grace, USA, Lyle Shackelford, Jaime Ray Seluk, USN, Pvt. Alexander Sabu, USA, Lt. Col. Paul Severance, USAF, Gen’l. R. Steve Whitcomb, USA, Lt. Col. Brian P. Bedell, USA, Capt. Lauren Whitcomb, USA, Col. Patrick J. Donahue, USA, Col. Brian P. Donahue, USA, Cpt. Michael McGaffigan, USA, Steve Comstock, Pilot, USN, Lt. Jesse Salisbury, USAF, Sgt. Maureen Galvin, USA, SpOps, Lt.J.G. Kevin B. O’Brien, USN, Miko Belonia, Maj. Tony Hoffman, USA, Maj. Ross Coffman, USA, Maj. Garth Howe, USA, Chief Warrant Officer II Michael Morris, USA, Captain Matthew Mancini, USA, Sgt. Ellen Barnes O’Connor, USA,  Pvt. Adam James Mazza, USA, Pvt. Joseph D. Gagnon, USM, Cpt. Eric Eckberg, USA, SFC John B. Nicholas, USA, LTCD Chris Stopyra, USN

 

 

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Question of the Week–Second Sunday of Lent

 

Question for Adults: Perhaps this reading calls us, not to cling to the familiar, but to leave the comforts of the parish and reach out to the world around us. In your neighborhood or community, who is waiting to hear the Good News?

 

Question for Youth: Have you ever had a "mountain top" experience where you felt exceptionally close to God? How was your life changed by that experience?

 

Question for Children: Share about a time when you felt especially close to God or Jesus.

 

 

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Operation Rice Bowl Reflection

Second Sunday of Lent–Solidarity

 

A small influx of resources can make a big difference. Hamsatou Tangare in Mali, a country in West Africa, couldn’t earn enough as a tailor to support her family. With a small loan from Catholic Relief Services, she expanded her business and could ultimately purchase school supplies for her children. CRS microfinance projects work with a group dynamic—Hamsatou meets regularly with thirty other women in her village to ensure accountability and help one another during emergencies. St. Paul tells us to “bear your hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God.” Hamsatou and her neighbors are bearing it together. By praying and giving with Operation Rice Bowl, you too are shouldering their burden and expressing a profound message of solidarity. Initiatives like microfinancing will someday lighten the burden of African poverty.

 

 

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A Film Meditation for Lent: Sin, Forgiveness, and Redemption in “The Mission”

 

Screenings on Friday, February 29 & Friday, March 7

Holy Family Parish Center, 122 Andrews St., Lowell

7:00-8:30 pm; $5 admission

 

Think and pray about the dimensions and consequences of both personal and communal sin as highlighted in “The Mission,” a powerful epic about a man of the sword (Robert DeNiro) and a man of the cloth (Jeremy Irons) who unite to shield a South American Indian tribe from brutal subjugation by 18th-century colonial empires. Sponsored by the Eugene/Hildegard Mission Center. Call Carmela at 978-458-6346 x215 to register.

 

 

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This Week in Our Parish

 

Monday, February 18

Parish Office Closed

12:10 PM  Lenten Weekday Mass, Church

 

Tuesday, February 19

12:10 PM  Lenten Weekday Mass, Church

 

Wednesday, February 20

12:10 PM  Lenten Weekday Mass, Church

 

Thursday, February 21

12:10 PM  Lenten Weekday Mass, Church

6:30 PM  Scouts, Driscoll Hall

7:30 PM  Adult Choir Practice, Church

 

Friday, February 22

10:45 AM  Adult Enrichment, Bellarmine Room

12:10 PM  Lenten Weekday Mass, Church

 

Sunday, February 24

8:15-11:00 AM  Parish Family Breakfast, Driscoll Hall

 

N.B.: Check with activity leader to confirm schedule for Scouts and Choir this week.

 

 

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Lenten Day of Prayer

Saturday, March 1, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Franciscan Center, 459 River Road, Andover

 

Focusing on the passage of The Lost Sheep and other Scripture passages, we seek on this day to confront areas within us that keep us from being whole as God intends us to be. The day includes breakfast and lunch and the cost is $35. Call the Center at 978-851-3391 to register.

 

 

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Archdiocese of Boston Bicentennial

 

 

‘Vicariate III Merrimack Region Celebration of Archdiocesan Bicentennial”

Representatives from the eleven parishes of Vicariate III of the Merrimack Region have joined together in planning a local celebration of the Bicentennial of the Archdiocese of Boston. With a theme of “Journey Together in Christ,” young and old, native-born and immigrant, active and alienated, everyone is invited to a Mass and family gathering on Sunday, September 7, 2008, the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, at Saint Michael Parish in North Andover.

 

Merrimack Regional Bishop Emilio Allué will preside at a noon Mass to be concelebrated by priests of the vicariate. A family picnic celebration will immediately follow with activities for all ages.

 

The Bicentennial Mass and picnic will offer an opportunity to look back with a sense of profound gratitude and to look forward with hope; an opportunity to join together and recommit to witness to Christ's Gospel, to pass on the faith, and to build on a civilization of love.

 

Further details will be provided as the date nears. In the meantime, mark your calendars and reserve Sunday, September 7, 2008 for what promises to be a joyful renewal of our “Journey Together in Christ.”

 

 

 

Archdiocesan Bicentennial Pilgrimage

Plan to mark the Bicentennial of the Archdiocese of Boston by coming together in prayer and fellowship with pilgrims from across the Archdiocese and throughout the world at the 49th International Eucharistic Congress in June 2008 in Quebec City, Canada. Pope Benedict XVI has personally approved a most appropriate theme for this Congress: “The Eucharist, God’s gift for the life of the world” and he invites Catholics to converge on Quebec City to deepen their spiritual lives through our Eucharistic Lord. The Boston Archdiocesan Pilgrimage is providing a comprehensive travel package for adults (21 years & older) for June 18-24, starting at $1,275 double occupancy, as well as a special package with hostel accommodations tailored to young adults (ages 21-40) for June 18-22, starting at $875 triple occupancy. For more information or to pre-reserve your seat, please contact Fr. Michael Drea, Coordinator for Archdiocesan Pilgrimages, at 617-479-5400 x 12.

 

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SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR NEXT WEEK–THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT

 

A reading from the Book of Exodus 17:3-7

 

In those days, in their thirst for water, the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “Why did you ever make us leave Egypt? Was it just to have us die here of thirst with our children and our livestock?” So Moses cried out to the LORD, “What shall I do with this people? a little more and they will stone me!” The LORD answered Moses, “Go over there in front of the people, along with some of the elders of Israel, holding in your hand, as you go, the staff with which you struck the river. I will be standing there in front of you on the rock in Horeb. Strike the rock, and the water will flow from it for the people to drink.” This Moses did, in the presence of the elders of Israel. The place was called Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled there and tested the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD in our midst or not?”

 

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans 5:1-2, 5-8

 

Brothers and sisters: Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God. And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For Christ, while we were still helpless, died at the appointed time for the ungodly. Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.

 

+ A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 4:5-42

 

Jesus came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there. Jesus, tired from his journey, sat down there at the well. It was about noon.

 

A woman of Samariacame to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” His disciples had gone into the town to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, “How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans. Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink, ‘ you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you do not even have a bucket and the cistern is deep; where then can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this cistern and drank from it himself with his children and his flocks?” Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.”

 

Jesus said to her, “Go call your husband and come back.” The woman answered and said to him, “I do not have a husband.” Jesus answered her, “You are right in saying, ‘I do not have a husband.’ For you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true.” The woman said to him, “Sir, I can see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain; but you people say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem.” Jesus said to her, “Believe me, woman, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You people worship what you do not understand; we worship what we understand, because salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth; and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him. God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth.” The woman said to him, “I know that the Messiah is coming, the one called the Christ; when he comes, he will tell us everything.” Jesus said to her, “I am he, the one speaking with you.”

 

At that moment his disciples returned, and were amazed that he was talking with a woman, but still no one said, “What are you looking for?” or “Why are you talking with her?” The woman left her water jar and went into the town and said to the people, “Come see a man who told me everything I have done. Could he possibly be the Christ?” They went out of the town and came to him. Meanwhile, the disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.” So the disciples said to one another, “Could someone have brought him something to eat?” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say, ‘In four months the harvest will be here’? I tell you, look up and see the fields ripe for the harvest. The reaper is already receiving payment and gathering crops for eternal life, so that the sower and reaper can rejoice together. For here the saying is verified that ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap what you have not worked for; others have done the work, and you are sharing the fruits of their work.”

 

Many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me everything I have done.” When the Samaritans came to him, they invited him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. Many more began to believe in him because of his word, and they said to the woman, “We no longer believe because of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the savior of the world.”

 

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