FROM FATHER RICK

 

DEAR FRIENDS,

 

CATHOLIC APPEAL

Thanks for your attention during the DVD last weekend kicking off the Catholic Appeal. As I mentioned our goal this year is $44,500. In addition to this slight increase over last year, we would like to increase the number of donors this year as well. Please consider your part in this important effort of our parish and the archdiocese, and act NOW by making a pledge.

 

SAINTS FEASTS

Having made the decision prior to the archdiocese’s announcement that the Archdiocesan Saint Patrick’s Day Celebration would be held on March 17 (Monday of Holy Week), we will celebrate (as announced in an early February parish mailing) a Mass in honor of Saint Patrick on Friday, March 14, at 12:10 pm. This will be followed by Irish bread and coffee in the Gathering Space.

 

On Saturday, March 15, at 10:00 am we will celebrate Mass in honor of Saint Joseph. This Mass will be followed by Zeppolis and coffee in the Gathering Space.

 

DON’T MISS THIS ONE!

I am sure those who made the last one will return again, but if you missed the Fish Bake in February you need to set this Friday night aside. Dinner will be served continuously from 5:30 – 7:00 pm in Driscoll Hall. Come when you are available. For the non fish eaters in our midst there will be pizza available.

 

Friday, March 14

Second Lenten Fish Bake

 

This has been a very busy month for our Knights. Please support them in these parish efforts. You also might want to thank them for all they have done in the past month or so.

 

EASTER TRIDUUM

It’s not too soon to start making your Easter plans. Having prepared for this great celebration during the Generations of Faith Festival sessions this past weekend, I hope that many of our community who may have shied away in the past will join us for these moving celebrations. Wouldn’t it be great to have a full church each day of the Triduum! Please consider joining us. This is the heart of our year as Catholic Christians. The schedule for this year:

 

Holy Thursday, March 20

7:30 pm—Mass of the Lord’s Supper

 

Good Friday, March 21

3:00 pm—Celebration of the Lord’s Passion and Death

 

Holy Saturday, March 22

7:30 pm—Solemn Easter Vigil

 

Easter Sunday, March 23

Masses celebrated at 7:00—9:00—11:00 am

 

 

LENTEN WEEKDAY MASS

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

 

CHANGE IN THE EARLY HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE: There will be no 12:10 pm Mass on Tuesday of Holy Week (March 18) so that I may attend the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral. The confessions scheduled for after that Mass will take place after the 12:10 pm Mass on Wednesday, March 19.

 

Have a great week,

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

Fr. Rick

 

 

---

 

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, April 2, 7:30 pm, Driscoll Hall

 

 

---

 

Stewardship Reflection

 

“I trust in the Lord; my soul trusts in his word.” Psalm 130:5

 

Trust in the Lord is important for good stewardship. If we are going to give to God first then we must be willing to trust that God will always provide for us. We must be willing to trust that we will have all that we need even if we don’t always have all that we want. Good stewards have found wonderful peace and comfort in this level of trust. How much do you trust in the Lord?

 

 

---

 

Do you have First Communion clothing that you would like to donate? There are many families at St. Mary’s Parish in Lynn who would be grateful for your donations! Contact Jaye Russo at St. Mary’s at 781-598-4907 for more information or to arrange drop off.

 

 

---

 

 

LENTEN GOSPEL GIVING

 

THIS WEEK

March 8/9—Fifth Sunday of Lent

 

"The dead man came out, bound hand and foot with linen strips, his face wrapped with a cloth." (John 11)

 

Linens–please bring DISPOSABLE DIAPERS (all sizes) for Sojourner House.

 

 

NEXT WEEK

March 15/16: Passion Sunday

 

"The huge crowd spread their cloaks on the road..." (Matthew 21)

"Finally, when they had finished making a fool of him, they stripped him of the cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him off to crucifixion."

 (Matthew 26)

 

Clothes–please bring a MEN’S SHIRT OR SWEATER for Lazarus House.

 

 

---

 

Catholic Appeal

“The Gifts We Have, We Are Given to Share”

 

Success in the eyes of God is not about the quantity or quality of our material goods. Instead, it’s about how we use those goods: do they move us closer to God, or are they an obstacle? God calls us to share what we have to help others. By providing support for many different ministries of the Church, the Catholic Appeal offers everyone a chance to exercise Christian stewardship. Please consider how you will participate in the Catholic Appeal this year. Thank you to everyone who has pledged thus far!

 

---

 

 

Mass Schedule and Intentions

 

Saturday, March 8, Vigil, 5th Sunday of Lent

4:00 pm: Robert Sullivan

 

Sunday, March 9, 5th Sunday of Lent

9:00 am: John Sudol

11:00 am: Angelo Coco

 

Monday, March 10, Lenten Weekday Mass

12:10 pm

 

Tuesday, March 11, Lenten Weekday Mass

12:10 pm

 

Wednesday, March 12, Lenten Weekday Mass

12:10 pm: Herb Murray

 

Thursday, March 13, Lenten Weekday Mass

12:10 pm

 

Friday, March 14, Mass in Honor of St. Patrick

12:10 pm

 

Saturday, March 15, Mass in Honor of St. Joseph

10:00 am

 

Saturday, March 15, Vigil, Palm Sunday

4:00 pm: Frank Pierro

 

Sunday, March 16, Palm Sunday

9:00 am: Henry Chemaly

11:00 am: Gerard & Mary Conway

 

 

---

 

Readings for the Week of March 9, 2008

Sunday:            Ez 37:12-14/Rom 8:8-11/Jn 11:1-45 or 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45

Monday:            Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or 13:41c-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

Next Sunday:    Mt 21:1-11/Is 50:4-7/Phil 2:6-11/Mt 26:14-27:66 or 27:11-54

 

 

---

 

Question of the Week–Fifth Sunday of Lent

 

Question for Adults: The death from which we are called is healing from those things which bind us and hold us back: memories, fears, rejection, or other such things. What binds you? What keeps you from fully being your own most true self in Christ?

 

Question for Youth: Lazarus received a second chance at life through Jesus. How have you experienced second chances in your own life?

 

Question for Children: How do your actions show that you put your faith and trust in Jesus?

 

 

---

 

 

 

---

 

Holy Week Collections

 

Holy Thursday

Our parish community is participating in Catholic Relief Services’ Lenten program, Operation Rice Bowl. Please bring your Rice Bowls for offering during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday.

 

Good Friday

The Collection for the Holy Places is the traditional way the whole Church supports the works of the Franciscan Friars as well as the local communities in the Holy Land who need our help. The annual collection for the Shrines and people of the Holy Land is taken up at this sacred time of year.

 

Easter Sunday

The Easter collection is for the Health and Pension funds of the priests of the archdiocese. Please be as generous as you can.

 

 

---

 

This Week in Our Parish

 

Monday, March 10

12:10 PM  Lenten Weekday Mass, Church

 

Tuesday, March 11

12:10 PM  Lenten Weekday Mass, Church

7:00-8:30 PM  Confirmation Prep, Driscoll Hall

 

Wednesday, March 12

12:10 PM  Lenten Weekday Mass, Church

 

Thursday, March 13

12:10 PM  Lenten Weekday Mass, Church

5:00 PM  Youth Cantor Practice, Church

5:30 PM  Youth Choir Practice, Church

6:30 PM  Scouts, Driscoll Hall

7:00 PM  Parish Penance Service, Church

 

Friday, March 14

10:45 AM  Adult Enrichment, Bellarmine Room

12:10 PM  Mass in Honor of St. Patrick, Church; followed by Irish Bread and Coffee in the Gathering Space

5:30 PM  Lenten Fish Bake, Driscoll Hall

 

Saturday, March 15

10:00 AM  Mass in Honor of St. Joseph, Church; followed by Zeppolis and Coffee in the Gathering Space

 

 

---

 

 

 

2nd Lenten Fish Bake This Week!

 

Friday, March 14

 

Serving continuously from 5:30-7:00 pm, Driscoll Hall

$10 Adults; $5 Children 12 and under; $30 Family Cap

 

Chowder–Baked White Fish–Green Vegetable–Potato–Cole Slaw–Bread–Cheese Pizza also available

 

Contact the Parish Office by March 12 at 978-683-8922 or ibonner@comcast.net to reserve your place!

 

Presented by our parish council of the Knights of Columbus

 

 

---

 

 

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

 

 

---

 

Penance Service & Confessions

 

Thursday, March 13

7:00 pm: Annual Lenten Penance Service, with priests available for individual sacramental confessions

 

Individual Reconciliation is celebrated on Saturdays at 3:30 pm and during Holy Week on Wednesday, March 19, after 12:10 pm Mass. (Please note: there are no confessions during the Sacred Triduum.)

 

 

 

Holy Week

 

Saturday, March 15

4:00 pm: Vigil, Palm Sunday, Mass with Procession

 

Sunday, March 16

9:00 & 11:00 am: Palm Sunday Masses

 

Monday, March 17

12:10 pm: Weekday Mass

 

Tuesday, March 18

Please note that there is no Mass today

 

Wednesday, March 19

12:10 pm: Weekday Mass followed by confessions

 

 

 

Sacred Triduum

 

Holy Thursday, March 20

(Please note: no 12:10 pm Mass)

7:30 pm: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Church

10:00 pm: Compline, Driscoll Hall

 

Good Friday, March 21

9:00 am: Morning Prayer, Church

3:00 pm: Celebration of the Lord’s Passion with Children’s Liturgy of the Word, Church

7:30 pm: Tenebrae, Church

 

Holy Saturday, March 22

9:00 am: Morning Prayer, Blessing of Easter Foods, Church

7:30 pm: Solemn Easter Vigil, Church; followed by reception in Driscoll Hall

 

Easter Sunday, March 23

7:00, 9:00, & 11:00 am: Easter morning Masses, Church

 

---

 

 

SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR NEXT WEEK–PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD’S PASSION

 

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah 50:4-7

 

The Lord GOD has given me a well-trained tongue, that I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them. Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear; and I have not rebelled, have not turned back. I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting.

 

The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame.

 

 

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians 2:6-11

 

Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

 

The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew 26:14-27:66

 

One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you? They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.

 

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Jesus and said, Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover? He said, Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, The teacher says, My appointed time draws near; in your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples. The disciples then did as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover.

 

When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me. Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him one after another, Surely it is not I, Lord? He said in reply, He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me. The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born. Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, Surely it is not I, Rabbi? He answered, You have said so.

 

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, Take and eat; this is my body. Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, from now on I shall not drink this fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father. Then, after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

 

Then Jesus said to them, This night all of you will have your faith in me shaken, for it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be dispersed; but after I have been raised up, I shall go before you to Galilee. Peter said to him in reply, Though all may have their faith in you shaken, mine will never be. Jesus said to him, Amen, I say to you, this very night before the cock crows, you will deny me three times. Peter said to him, Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you. And all the disciples spoke likewise.

 

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, Sit here while I go over there and pray. He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress. Then he said to them, My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me. He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, So you could not keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Withdrawing a second time, he prayed again, My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, your will be done! Then he returned once more and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open. He left them and withdrew again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing again. Then he returned to his disciples and said to them, Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold, the hour is at hand when the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners. Get up, let us go. Look, my betrayer is at hand.

 

While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd, with swords and clubs, who had come from the chief priests and the elders of the people. His betrayer had arranged a sign with them, saying, The man I shall kiss is the one; arrest him. Immediately he went over to Jesus and said, Hail, Rabbi! and he kissed him. Jesus answered him, Friend, do what you have come for. Then stepping forward they laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. And behold, one of those who accompanied Jesus put his hand to his sword, drew it, and struck the high priests servant, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, Put your sword back into its sheath, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot call upon my Father and he will not provide me at this moment with more than twelve legions of angels? But then how would the Scriptures be fulfilled which say that it must come to pass in this way? At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to seize me? Day after day I sat teaching in the temple area, yet you did not arrest me. But all this has come to pass that the writings of the prophets may be fulfilled. Then all the disciples left him and fled.

 

Those who had arrested Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. Peter was following him at a distance as far as the high priests courtyard, and going inside he sat down with the servants to see the outcome. The chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward who stated, This man said, I can destroy the temple of God and within three days rebuild it. The high priest rose and addressed him, Have you no answer? What are these men testifying against you? But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, I order you to tell us under oath before the living God whether you are the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus said to him in reply, You have said so.But I tell you: From now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest tore his robes and said, He has blasphemed! What further need have we of witnesses? You have now heard the blasphemy; what is your opinion? They said in reply, He deserves to die! Then they spat in his face and struck him, while some slapped him, saying, Prophesy for us, Christ: who is it that struck you?

 

Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. One of the maids came over to him and said, You too were with Jesus the Galilean. But he denied it in front of everyone, saying, I do not know what you are talking about! As he went out to the gate, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, This man was with Jesus the Nazarene. Again he denied it with an oath, I do not know the man! A little later the bystanders came over and said to Peter, Surely you too are one of them; even your speech gives you away. At that he began to curse and to swear, I do not know the man. And immediately a cock crowed. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: Before the cock crows you will deny me three times. He went out and began to weep bitterly.

 

When it was morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. They bound him, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.

 

Then Judas, his betrayer, seeing that Jesus had been condemned, deeply regretted what he had done. He returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, I have sinned in betraying innocent blood. They said, What is that to us? Look to it yourself. Flinging the money into the temple, he departed and went off and hanged himself. The chief priests gathered up the money, but said, It is not lawful to deposit this in the temple treasury, for it is the price of blood. After consultation, they used it to buy the potters field as a burial place for foreigners. That is why that field even today is called the Field of Blood. Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of a man with a price on his head, a price set by some of the Israelites, and they paid it out for the potters field just as the Lord had commanded me.

 

Now Jesus stood before the governor, and he questioned him, Are you the king of the Jews? Jesus said, You say so. And when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he made no answer. Then Pilate said to him, Do you not hear how many things they are testifying against you? But he did not answer him one word, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

 

Now on the occasion of the feast the governor was accustomed to release to the crowd one prisoner whom they wished. And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. So when they had assembled, Pilate said to them, Which one do you want me to release to you, Barabbas, or Jesus called Christ? For he knew that it was out of envy that they had handed him over. While he was still seated on the bench, his wife sent him a message, Have nothing to do with that righteous man. I suffered much in a dream today because of him. The chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas but to destroy Jesus. The governor said to them in reply, Which of the two do you want me to release to you? They answered, Barabbas! Pilate said to them, Then what shall I do with Jesus called Christ? They all said, Let him be crucified! But he said, Why? What evil has he done? They only shouted the louder, Let him be crucified! When Pilate saw that he was not succeeding at all, but that a riot was breaking out instead, he took water and washed his hands in the sight of the crowd, saying, I am innocent of this mans blood. Look to it yourselves. And the whole people said in reply, His blood be upon us and upon our children. Then he released Barabbas to them, but after he had Jesus scourged, he handed him over to be crucified.

 

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus inside the praetorium and gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped off his clothes and threw a scarlet military cloak about him. Weaving a crown out of thorns, they placed it on his head, and a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! They spat upon him and took the reed and kept striking him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the cloak, dressed him in his own clothes, and led him off to crucify him.

 

As they were going out, they met a Cyrenian named Simon; this man they pressed into service to carry his cross.

 

And when they came to a place called Golgotha—which means Place of the Skull— they gave Jesus wine to drink mixed with gall. But when he had tasted it, he refused to drink. After they had crucified him, they divided his garments by casting lots; then they sat down and kept watch over him there. And they placed over his head the written charge against him: This is Jesus, the King of the Jews. Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and the other on his left. Those passing by reviled him, shaking their heads and saying, You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself, if you are the Son of God, and come down from the cross! Likewise the chief priests with the scribes and elders mocked him and said, He saved others; he cannot save himself. So he is the king of Israel! Let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now if he wants him. For he said, I am the Son of God. The revolutionaries who were crucified with him also kept abusing him in the same way.

 

From noon onward, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And about three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani? which means, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Some of the bystanders who heard it said, This one is calling for Elijah. Immediately one of them ran to get a sponge; he soaked it in wine, and putting it on a reed, gave it to him to drink. But the rest said, Wait, let us see if Elijah comes to save him. But Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, and gave up his spirit.

 

Here all kneel and pause for a short time.

 

And behold, the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, rocks were split, tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. And coming forth from their tombs after his resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many. The centurion and the men with him who were keeping watch over Jesus feared greatly when they saw the earthquake and all that was happening, and they said, Truly, this was the Son of God! There were many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him. Among them were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

 

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who was himself a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be handed over. Taking the body, Joseph wrapped it in clean linen and laid it in his new tomb that he had hewn in the rock. Then he rolled a huge stone across the entrance to the tomb and departed. But Mary Magdalene and the other Mary remained sitting there, facing the tomb. The next day, the one following the day of preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, Sir, we remember that this impostor while still alive said, After three days I will be raised up. Give orders, then, that the grave be secured until the third day, lest his disciples come and steal him and say to the people, He has been raised from the dead. This last imposture would be worse than the first. Pilate said to them, The guard is yours; go, secure it as best you can. So they went and secured the tomb by fixing a seal to the stone and setting the guard.

 

Copyright 1970, 1986, 1992, 1998, 2001 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc. Washington D.C. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.