FROM FATHER
RICK
Dear Friends,
ASH WEDNESDAY
Wednesday is Ash
Wednesday. Masses will be celebrated at
12:10 noon and 5:30 pm. Ashes will be
distributed ONLY during Mass.
MARDI GRAS
As in the past
few years, we will celebrate a “Mardi Gras”
Mass on “Fat Tuesday,” February 16, at 12:10
noon. This will be followed by our “Mardi
Gras Luncheon” in the Gathering Space. All
are welcome. If you are able to join us,
please let Irene know before Monday noon.
ASH WEDNESDAY
SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR HAITI
I mentioned last
weekend in the verbal announcements that
we will be collecting school supplies
for Haiti at both Masses on Ash Wednesday.
Parishioners Robert and Theresa Enos are
coordinating this project. Below is the
information Robert sent to us:
“The
organization we are collecting for is called
A Better Tomorrow International (www.ABTI.org).
The gentleman who runs it is Emmanuel
Exilhomme. He is a resident of Tewksbury,
and his son Ethan is in my wife's 1st grade
class. Mr. Exilhomme lost 10 family members
in the earthquake, and has visited Haiti
since to look for his in-laws and bury his
family with dignity. My wife Teresa and I
have, with the help of the parish, set up a
school supply collection. This collection
will take place through Ash Wednesday. Bins
are in the church to the left as you enter.
Emmanuel will be traveling back to Haiti
sometime in March and hopefully will bring
this or send supplies to needy children who
have lost means of education.”
LENTEN FISH
BAKES
The Knights are
sponsoring two Lenten fish bakes again this
year. The first will be held on this Friday,
February 19, with dinner served continuously
from 5:30 to 7:00 pm in Driscoll Hall. These
were a great success and a fun time the past
two years–please join us. There is further
information about reservations and menu
elsewhere in the bulletin.
LENTEN
WEEKDAY MASS AND RECONCILIATION SCHEDULE
The Lenten
Weekday Mass Schedule will be as follows:
Monday @ 5:30
pm
Tuesday @
12:10 noon
Wednesday @
5:30 pm
Thursday @
7:00 pm
Friday @ 6:15
am
In addition, the
archdiocese has initiated a program called
“The Light Is On For You,” which
offers the sacrament of reconciliation in
every parish and chapel in the archdiocese
on every Wednesday night of Lent (except Ash
Wednesday) from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. We will be
participating in this program; therefore
there will be no Lenten Communal Penance
Service this year.
TITHING FOR
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH SCHOOL
Once again your
generosity has been overwhelming! We
collected $1,732.50 in the donation jug in
the Gathering Space for St. John’s School in
Dar es Salaam. This included the money
raised by the Knights and our Youth Group at
the Sunday Breakfast in January. Thank you
so much.
ARISE
TOGETHER IN CHRIST—SEASON FOUR
Season Four for
the ARISE Program begins this
week—two points:
·
It is not too late to sign up.
·
If
you didn’t get to make a prayer
commitment last weekend you can find the
cards on the ARISE table in
the Gathering Space.
MINISTRY
SCHEDULE
Liturgical
Ministers should have received their
schedule for the Lent/Easter Seasons. If you
did not, there are paper copies on the sign
in table. Please get me your availability
for the Sacred Triduum and for Palm Sunday
Lectors as soon as possible so that I can
get those schedules settled in a timely
manner. Thanks.
PRESIDENT’S
DAY
The parish
office will be closed on Monday, February
15, in observance of President’s Day.
I wish you God's
Peace,
Fr. Rick
ARISE Season
IV: “New Heart, New Spirit”
Begins This
Weekend
In this season,
guided by the liturgies of Lent and Holy
Week, we will explore the themes of
forgiveness and reconciliation. Thank you to
all who are praying for the success of
ARISE. Your prayerful support is
essential to the success of ARISE
in enriching the faith of participants
and fostering community within our parish.
LOOKING FOR
SOMETHING TO DO
THIS LENT
WITH YOUR CHILD?
We are happy to
offer ARISE Family Faith-Sharing
Pages to children in 1st–3rd grades and
4th–6th grades. There are packets for each
of the 6 sessions which coincide with the
Adult ARISE program in an
age-appropriate manner. They are designed to
nurture faith-sharing with children and
within the home. Packets are available on
the table near the ARISE
bulletin board.
For more
information, please contact Maggie Butler at
978-640-1879 or
butler.fam@verizon.net or go online to
www.saintroberts.net/Arise.htm.
Stewardship
Reflection
“Woe to you
who are rich, for you have
received your
consolation.” –Luke 6:24
Jesus’ words to
the crowd can seem harsh to all of us who
enjoy the many blessings of living in one of
the richest countries of the world. Yet, in
reality the sin is not in being rich. The
sin is in failing to share our blessings.
When was the last time you looked at your
income and determined what percentage you
were giving to those who had less than you?
Remember the Bible teaches us to give 10%.
How close are you to that level of giving?
Money Matters
On the
weekend of February 6/7
Weekly
donations: $3,897.00
Peter’s Pence:
$1,035.00
Knights of
Columbus Next Meeting:
Please note that the February 17 social
meeting will not be held this month due to
other activities.
And it’s not
too late to get tickets for…
A Night
Out with the Lowell Devils
Saturday,
February 20
6:00 pm: pizza
and soda at the Tsongas Arena; 7:00 pm: game
time. Tickets are $16 per person and must be
purchased in advance. Contact Jim McKain at
Jim_McKain@NLTek.com.
Saturday,
February 13
Vigil, Sixth
Sunday in Ordinary Time
4:00 pm: World
Marriage Day Celebration
Sunday,
February 14
Sixth Sunday
in Ordinary Time
9:00 am: Bruce
Campbell
11:00 am: Joanne
and Arthur Riddle;
Anointing of the
Sick
Saturday,
February 20
Vigil, First
Sunday of Lent
4:00 pm: Thomas
F. and Dorothy Reynolds
Sunday,
February 21, First Sunday of Lent
9:00 am: Joan
McCandless
11:00 am: People
of the Parish
Only Masses
with intentions are listed here.
See below for
the Lenten weekday Mass schedule.
Lenten
Weekday Mass and Reconciliation Schedule
Monday at 5:30
pm
Tuesday at 12:10
noon
Wednesday at
5:30 pm
Thursday at 7:00
pm
Friday at 6:15
am
Reconciliation
every Wed., 6:30-8:00 pm
Readings for the Week of February 14, 2010
Sunday: Jer 17:5-8/1 Cor 15:12,
16-20/Lk 6:17, 20-26
Monday: Jas 1:1-11/Mk 8:11-13
Tuesday: Jas 1:12-18/Mk 8:14-21
Wednesday: Jl 2:12-18/2 Cor
5:20---6:2/Mt 6:1-6, 16-18
Thursday: Dt 30:15-20/Lk 9:22-25
Friday: Is 58:1-9a/Mt 9:14-15
Saturday: Is 58:9b-14/Lk 5:27-32
Next Sunday: Dt 26:4-10/Rom 10:8-13/Lk
4:1-13
In Service
LCDR Paul
Giguere, USN, 1st Lt. Stephen Draheim, USA,
Maj. Brian Brzezinski, USA, Lt. Col. James
Coffey, USAF, Kevin Grace, USA, Lyle
Shackelford, Pvt. Alexander Sabu, USA,
Gen’l. R. Steve Whitcomb, USA, Col. Brian P.
Bedell, USA, Capt. Lauren Whitcomb, USA, BG
Patrick J. Donahue, USA, BG 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, LTCD Chris
Stopyra, USN
Question of
the Week
Sixth
Ordinary Sunday
Reading 1:
Jeremiah 17:5-8 (Trusting in the Lord)
Reading II:
1 Cor 15:12, 16-20 (Resurrection of the Dead)
Gospel:
Luke
6:17, 20-26 (The Beatitudes)
Adults:
In today's Gospel, we are reminded that we
will be either blessed or have woe done unto
us.
It's a
challenging teaching! Which half of this
Gospel reading applies to you?
Youth:
How does trusting in God make a difference
in your life?
Children:
How do you experience God's blessing in
difficult times, when you are sad, hungry,
or when friends reject you?
Project
Rachel
“I
experienced a refreshment of soul I had
never thought possible. I only wish I had
not allowed so many years to pass before
reaching out for help.” –testimonial from a
retreat participant
Do you know
someone who is carrying grief or sorrow over
past abortions? Project Rachel is the
post-abortion ministry of the Catholic
Church to help those dealing with the pain
of abortion. Project Rachel will offer three
“Come to the Waters of Healing”
post-abortion healing retreats this spring:
Sunday, February 28; Saturday, March 13;
and Saturday, June 5. For more
information and registration for the date of
your choice, please contact Project Rachel
at 508-651-3100 or email
help@projectrachelboston.com. All calls
are confidential. More information about the
Project Rachel ministry and post-abortion
healing can be found at
www.projectrachelboston.com.
This Week in
Our Parish
Saturday,
February 13
4:00 PM
Celebration of World Marriage Day,
followed by a
reception in the Gathering Space
Sunday,
February 14
ARISE Season
Four Begins
10:00-11:00 AM
Bread & Roses Prep, Driscoll Hall
11:00 PM
Celebration of World Day of Prayer for the
Sick,
followed by a
light lunch in the Gathering Space
Monday,
February 15
Parish Office is
Closed
Tuesday,
February 16
12:10 PM Mass
followed by Mardi Gras Lunch in the
Gathering Space
1:00-2:30 PM
Bereavement Group, Bellarmine Room
Wednesday,
February 17
Ash Wednesday
Masses at 12:10 Noon and 5:30 PM
Thursday,
February 18
7:00 PM Weekday
Mass, Church
Friday,
February 19
6:15 AM Weekday
Mass, Church
5:30 PM Lenten
Fish Dinner, Driscoll Hall
The Lenten
Fish Dinners are back!
Don’t miss
the first one this week!
Friday,
February 19, Driscoll Hall
Dinner will
be served continuously
from
5:30-7:00 pm—come when you are able.
Adults $12;
12 and under $6; Family Cap $35
Chowder–Baked
White Fish–Vegetable–Potato
Cole
Slaw–Bread–Cheese Pizza also available
Contact the
Parish Office at 978-683-8922 or
ibonner@comcast.net to reserve your
place!
And mark
your calendar for the next
Friday
fish dinner on March 5!
Presented
by our parish council of the Knights of
Columbus
"Blessed
are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God
is yours.
Blessed
are you who are now hungry, for you will be
satisfied." - Lk 6:20-21
LENTEN GOSPEL GIVING
The traditional foundation for Lenten practice rests on three supports:
PRAYER–FASTING–ALMSGIVING. To assist
families in the third of these supports, we
again participate in LENTEN GOSPEL GIVING.
Each week all members of the parish are
asked to bring
ONE
item with them to Mass. The gifts will be
donated to various needy causes, some to
which we are already committed as a parish.
Please read the list below for each week's
Scripture and its item. There will be a
reminder in the bulletin each week.
FIRST
SUNDAY OF LENT—FEBRUARY 20/21
(Next
Week)
"One
does not live on bread alone.” (Luke 4:1-13)
Bread is
made from grain–please bring a box of
PASTA for
Pine Street Inn.
SECOND
SUNDAY OF LENT—FEBRUARY 27/28
"His
face changed in appearance and
His
clothing became dazzling white.” (Luke
9:28-36)
Dazzling
and radiant signify cleanliness–please bring
BAR
SOAP
for
Tewksbury
State Hospital.
THIRD
SUNDAY OF LENT—MARCH 6/7
"…a land
flowing with milk and honey."
(Exodus
3:1-8; 13-15)
Milk and
Honey—please bring FORMULA, SHELF-STABLE
MILK (e.g., Parmalat), or HONEY
for
Neighbors in Need.
FOURTH
SUNDAY OF LENT—MARCH 13/14
"They
ate of the produce of the Land in the form
of unleavened cakes and parched grain."
(Joshua 5:9a-10-12))
Cereal
from the yield of the land—please bring a
box of CEREAL for
Rosie’s Place.
FIFTH
SUNDAY OF LENT—MARCH 20/21
"…for I
put water in the desert and rivers in the
wasteland
for my
chosen people to drink." (Isaiah 43:16-21)
Drink—please bring a pack of DRINK BOXES
for
Bread and Roses.
PALM
SUNDAY OF THE PASSION—MARCH 27/28
"They
threw their cloaks over the colt and
helped
him mount." (Luke 19:28-40)
“…after
clothing him in resplendent garb,
they
sent him back to Pilate.” (Luke 22 & 23)
Clothes–please bring a men’s or women’s
SHIRT or SWEATER for
Lazarus
House.
SCRIPTURE
READINGS FOR NEXT WEEK–FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
A reading
from the Book of Deuteronomy 26:4-10
Moses spoke to
the people, saying: “The priest shall
receive the basket from you and shall set it
in front of the altar of the LORD, your God.
Then you shall declare before the Lord, your
God, ‘My father was a wandering Aramean who
went down to Egypt with a small household
and lived there as an alien. But there he
became a nation great, strong, and numerous.
When the Egyptians maltreated and oppressed
us, imposing hard labor upon us, we cried to
the LORD, the God of our fathers, and he
heard our cry and saw our affliction, our
toil, and our oppression. He brought us out
of Egypt with his strong hand and
outstretched arm, with terrifying power,
with signs and wonders; and bringing us into
this country, he gave us this land flowing
with milk and honey. Therefore, I have now
brought you the firstfruits of the products
of the soil which you, O LORD, have given
me.’ And having set them before the Lord,
your God, you shall bow down in his
presence.
A reading
from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans
10:8-13
Brothers and
sisters: What does Scripture say? The word
is near you, in your mouth and in your
heart—that is, the word of faith that we
preach—for, if you confess with your mouth
that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart
that God raised him from the dead, you will
be saved. For one believes with the heart
and so is justified, and one confesses with
the mouth and so is saved. For the Scripture
says, No one who believes in him will be put
to shame. For there is no distinction
between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord
of all, enriching all who call upon him. For
“everyone who calls on the name of the Lord
will be saved.”
+ A reading
from the holy Gospel according to Luke
4:1-13
Filled with the
Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan
and was led by the Spirit into the desert
for forty days, to be tempted by the devil.
He ate nothing during those days, and when
they were over he was hungry. The devil said
to him, “If you are the Son of God, command
this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered
him, “It is written, One does not live on
bread alone.” Then he took him up and showed
him all the kingdoms of the world in a
single instant. The devil said to him, “I
shall give to you all this power and glory;
for it has been handed over to me, and I may
give it to whomever I wish. All this will be
yours, if you worship me.” Jesus said to him
in reply, “It is written: You shall worship
the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you
serve.” Then he led him to Jerusalem, made
him stand on the parapet of the temple, and
said to him, “If you are the Son of God,
throw yourself down from here, for it is
written: He will command his angels
concerning you, to guard you, and: With
their hands they will support you, lest you
dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus said
to him in reply, “It also says, You shall
not put the Lord, your God, to the test.”
When the devil had finished every
temptation, he departed from him for a time.
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of Christian Doctrine, Inc. Washington D.C.
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