Septuagesima Sunday

February 12, 2017
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Weekly Announcements

Septuagesima Sunday Septuagesima is the two and a half weeks leading up to Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. With the exception (if it should fall in this time) of February 2nd, the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is officially the end of the Christmas Cycle, the liturgical emphasis ceases to be upon the joys of Christ's birth giving way to the realization of why He came to the earth and the heavy price the Christ Child will have to pay to redeem us. The season of Septuagesima is therefore a preparation for Lent. It serves as a time of transition, a liturgical “buffer” for the soul which must pass from Christmas Joys to the stern penance of the sacred forty days.  Liturgically we see the white vestments of Christmas and Epiphany, a color of joy change to the penitential color of violet. We shall also notice the absence of the Gloria on Sundays and ferial days of the season as well as the suppression of the joyful alleluia whenever it occurs in the liturgy. This season of Septuagesima invites us to begin thinking about what we are going to give up and what we are going to do positively (prayers, alms, good works etc.) during the coming Lent for the love of Our Lord who has suffered so much for love of us! Let us prepare now in order to make the best Lent ever!   CREDO (continued) Taken from Notes Made at the Conferences of Dom Prosper Guéranger) Et ex Patre natum, ante omnia saecula, born of the Father before all ages. Ages began only when God sent forth Creation from His hands; that ages might be, time must needs exist, and that time might be, created beings were necessary. Now, before all ages, before aught had yet stepped forth from nothingness, the Son of God had issued from the Father, as we here confess in these words: Ex Patre natum ante omnia saecula. Deum de Deo, lumen de lumine, Deum verum de Deo vero [God from God, light from light, true God from true God]. The created world proceeds from God, because it is His handiwork; but for all that, it is not God. The Son of God, on the contrary, coming from the Father, is God as He is, because Begotten by Him: in so much, that all that is said of the Father befits the Son, save only that He is not the Father; but He is ever the same Substance, the same Divine Essence. But still, how can the Son be the same substance as the Father, without this Substance becoming thereby exhausted? St. Athanasius, speaking on this subject, gives us the following comparison, which, although material, enables us, in some measure, to seize this Truth. In the same manner, says he, as a torch lighted from another of the same substance, in no way lessens that from which it is lighted, so also the Son of God, taking the Substance of the Father, in no way diminishes this Divine Substance which He shares with Him; for He is in very deed, God of God, Light of Light, True God of True God.  
 MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
  •  Sunday, February 12 - Septuagesima Sunday   8:00 a.m.    Mary Dziadkowiec   10:00 a.m.    Pro Populo
  • Monday, February 13 - Feria   7:30 a.m.    Thomas L Finlay
  • Tuesday, February 14 - Feria   7:30 a.m.    Sr. Catherine of Christ
  • Wednesday, Febraury 15 - Feria   6:00 p.m.    †Katie Baumle
  • Thursday,  February 16 - Feria   7:30 a.m.    Sr. Catherine of Christ
  • Friday, February 17 - Feria   6:00 p.m.    Fr. Michael Lange
  • Saturday, February 18 - Our Lady on Saturday   9:00 a.m.    †Bruno Dziadkowiec
  • Sunday, February 19 - Sexagesima Sunday   8:00 a.m.     Fr. James Buckley, FSSP   10:00 a.m.    Pro Populo
First Holy Communion It is expected that parents can adequately   prepare their children for First Holy Communion, teaching them their basic prayers, the rosary, how to go to  confession, etc. Parents with children who wish to make their First Communion this year are asked to inform the pastor, who will arrange for a short meeting with the child to ensure proper disposition and the requisite knowledge (including the ability to make a sacramental confession, which must precede First Communion). Highly recommended as a teaching aid is the classic "St. Joseph First Communion Catechism" available at any Catholic book shop. There are still only two families that contacted us about children making their First Communion this year.   Confirmation Those desiring to receive the sacrament of Confirmation are asked to contact the pastor or the church office as soon as possible. There will be a catechism class conducted based on Fr. Connell's Confraternity Edition of the Baltimore Catechism #3 and the booklet "Preparation for Confirmation" by Angelus Press, both of which will be provided by the parish. There have only been four families that have contacted the pastor.
New Life Tree Lent is a time of rebirth and renewal. Just as Jesus died for our sins, we too must die to self and be renewed in the Pascal Mystery. Each year trees fade away, appearing to die, only to come back to full life each spring. Babies are part of our new life and are a beautiful blessing from God Himself, as such they should always be valued and cherished. Similar to the Angel Tree at Advent time, the New Life Tree will host items to be collected for those in need of support. Specifically the Women's Care Center, items to be given and allocated according to their guidelines and needs. Bishop Rhoades described the Women's Care Center as 'A true oasis of mercy, places where women who may be in crises, perhaps tempted to do harm to themselves and their unborn babies, perhaps experiencing hopelessness or despair, rejection or helplessness, here receive  compassionate help and merciful love. There will be a tree set up with ornaments that have items written on them, just like the Angel Tree. The list of items requested will be specifically put together by the Women's Care Center representatives. Things like gently used baby clothes, baby shampoo, wipes, monetary donations, etc will be on the tree to choose from. This will start the beginning of Lent at the back of Church and be taken down before Good Friday. Items would be brought back to Sacred Heart where they will be pick up and delivered to the Women's Care Center. If you have any questions please call Erin Rivera at  260-246-0232.
Scrip      Please take a look at the order forms at the front entrance to see if there are vendors that you frequent. If so, just fill in the amount you would like to purchase. The form will let you know the percentage the Parish receives from your Scrip purchase. Please submit the form with a check by dropping it in the  collection basket. For any questions please call Kim at the office 260-744-2519. All orders must be prepaid and will be placed on Monday of each week. Your orders will then come to the office and you will be called to pick them up or at church the following Sunday. Due to processing costs, in order to make a few dollars we have to put in an order of $300 or more.