Quinquagesima Sunday

February 11, 2018
PDF

Weekly Announcements

 UNDE ET MEMORES(Taken from Notes Made at the Conferences of Dom Prosper Guéranger). The Priest having adored the Precious Blood, has shown It to the Faithful, and then again adored. He now, once more, extends his hands, and continues his Prayer: Unde et memores, Domine, quaesumus, nos servi tui, sed et plebs tua sancta, ejusdem Christi Filii tui tam beatae Passionis, necnon et ab inferis Resurrectionis sed et in coelis Gloriosae Ascensionis. Offerimus praeclarae majestati tuae ... So do we call to mind. The Priest says we, for there is question not of himself alone, but of all the people. He reminds God the Father of this; and we all, united with him, call to mind the Blessed Passion, the Resurrection, and the Ascension of Our Divine Redeemer.   During the Oblation, these three great Mysteries were brought prominently forward; but Holy Church is not satisfied with that; she wants to insist on the same thought again, and with still more delight in this place. She well knows that God has done all for man, and she wishes that not one Of His Benefits should escape her. Yea, verily, we are indeed offering a something very great, for we have here before us the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. We call to mind His Passion which has been so blessed a Boon for us; here too the Victim is immolated but more than that, the Victim which we here possess as ours, is also He who rose again. Nor is this even all: we call to mind, likewise, His Glorious Ascension into Heaven. Yes indeed, He who is here present, is the Risen One; He it is, who scaling the Heavens, was seated at the Right Hand of the Father, whilst the angels re-echoed the glad shout: Attollite portas, principes, vestras et elevamini portae aeternales, et introibit Rex gloriae (Ps. xxiii. 7). So then we have really here, upon our Altar, Him Who suffered, Who rose again, and Who is now reigning in Triumphant Glory in heaven. Oh! yes, indeed, we do indeed recall these things, and this it is that gives us such full confidence, that we dare to say with holy boldness: Offerimus praeclarae majestati tuae de tuis donis ac datis. We talk of offering! We who have nothing! bsolutely nothing! Yea, it is true, we have naught of our own, but we offer to Thee Thine Own Gifts, that is all we can say.   ASH WEDNESDAY — FEB 14 The holy season of Lent begins this Wednesday. The blessing and distribution of ashes will begin at 7 PM followed by Mass.  Remember man that you are dust and unto dust you shall return.   REGULATIONS FOR LENT Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, Mar. 1. The following are the barest minimum obligations which must be observed by Catholics under pain of serious sin (if there is no serious excusing cause). Abstinence from meat is observed on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all the Fridays of Lent by all Catholics 14 years of age and older. Fasting is observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday by all Catholics who are 18 years of age but not yet 59 years of age. Those bound by this rule may take only one full meatless meal. Two smaller meals, not equaling together a full meal, are permitted as necessary to maintain strength according to one’s needs, but eating solid foods between meals is not permitted. If there are any questions about when one would not be obliged to this observance, please contact the office. The older regulations are given at the end of this bulletin for those who wish to observe Lent in a more traditional manner.   STATIONS OF THE CROSS There will be Stations of the Cross each Friday evening during Lent beginning at 6 PM, followed by Mass at 6:30 PM. Please join us for this special Lenten devotion. Normal First Friday devotions will be suspended during Lent.   LENTEN BIBLE STUDY As a means to strengthen the faith formation of the parish, we will be having a group study of the First Letter of St. Peter in five sessions, beginning Wednesday, Feb. 21, after the 6:00 PM Mass.  The format will require advance preparation, in the form of reading the bible passage as well as the commentary that will be provided.  The discussion will be moderated, but will not be a lecture format.  Photocopies of the first session’s material are available at the back of church for those interested.  A number of copies of the full book will be available for purchase for those who wish to commit to this activity.  After Lent, we will consider having a more ongoing Bible study based on the response.  Remember the words of St. Jerome, “Ignorance of the scriptures is ignorance of Christ.”   VOLUNTEERS NEEDED A number of volunteers are needed to help keep the church clean.  At the moment, there are only three people to divide up all the work, and these three people are finding the burden overwhelming.  There are a number of small jobs that could be split up among a larger number of individuals.  You could take one small job — many of these could be done in 15 or 20 minutes, even before or after Mass on Sunday, if travel is an issue: —Sweeping floors - Weekly —Vacuuming - Weekly —Check/Fill holy water fonts (clean if needed) - Weekly —Clean bathrooms - Weekly —Straighten up books in pews - Weekly —Empty trash - Weekly —Clean counter and sink in sacristy - Weekly —Clean window sills - Weekly —Clean windows on entry doors - Weekly —Wipe down pews - Monthly —Dusting - Monthly —Clean windows, inside and outside weather permitting - Monthly   If you can help with any of these tasks, some of which are very small, please contact Stephanie at howesr83@gmail.com.  Remember, many hands make light work.  We should be able to take pride in the appearance of our church building for the glory of God!   OLDER LENTEN REGULATIONS FOR DEVOTIONAL PURPOSES (NO LONGER BINDING ON THE CONSCIENCES OF CATHOLICS) Fasting was observed on all days of Lent, Sundays excepted. Contrary to what many believe and what many currently available “traditional” calendars claim, this even applied to major feast days (St. Joseph and the Annunciation), in order to preserve the integrity of the forty days of fast. Complete abstinence from meat was observed on Fridays and the Ember Days of Lent. Partial abstinence (meat allowed once) was observed on the remaining days. Although these regulations no longer bind, anyone able to do so is exhorted to follow the more strict, traditional fast and abstinence during the season of Lent.  Although not as meritorious as when it was required by the Church, because now only the virtue of temperance, but not obedience, is being exercised, fasting is still a valuable means to bring the appetites under control and free the mind to contemplate higher things, as long as any temptation to pride is avoided, as the Pharisee who boasted about his observance of fasting.   Special Collection There will be a special collection next Sunday, Feb. 18, for Black & Indian Missions. There will be an envelope marked Special Collections at the entrances. Please pick one up if you would like to be acknowledged for your contribution. At the top of the Envelope please mark what  the collection is for along with your name. Thank You!  
 MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
   
Sunday Feb 11 8:00 AM 10:00 AM Quinquagesima Sunday   John F. Coomes Pro Populo
Monday Feb 12   7:30 AM The Seven Holy Founders of the Order of Servants of the BVM, Confessors   John F. Coomes
Tuesday Feb 13   7:00 AM Feria     Carol Witkamp +
Wednesday Feb 14   7:00 PM Ash Wednesday     Dorothy Mary Hoska +
Thursday Feb 15   7:30 AM Feria of Lent     Poor Souls
Friday Feb 16 6:00 PM 6:30 PM Feria of Lent   Stations of the Cross Antoinette Latka +
Saturday Feb 17   9:00 AM Feria of Lent     Jim Momper +
Sunday Feb 18 8:00 AM 10:00 AM First Sunday of Lent   Charles Fix + (Anniv.) Pro Populo