THE ANNUNCIATION by Larry Rice During the Season of Lent, Catholic Church- Saturday, March 18 Es Are Adorned in Purple, Symbolizing Re- 5:00 P.M

St. Francis catholic community Orange, Texas March 19, 2017

THE ANNUNCIATION by Larry Rice During the season of Lent, Catholic church- Saturday, March 18 es are adorned in purple, symbolizing re- 5:00 p.m. Eddie Dubord (D) 7:00 p.m. pentance and solemnity. There are at least two occasions during Lent, however, when Sunday, March 19 the liturgical colors change, at least briefly. 8:00 a.m. Rosie Molina (D) One such occasion is the fourth Sunday of 10:30 a.m. People of the Parish Lent, which used to be called Laetare Sun- Monday, March 20 day. On that Sunday, churches—if they No Mass have them—can use rose-colored vestments and paraments. Another occasion to Tuesday, March 21 8:30 a.m. Dorothy Thompson (D) put away the purple for the day is the So- lemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. Wednesday, March 22 6:30 p.m. Milbon Dupre’ (D) The feast of the Annunciation is on March 25, for reasons that I hope are obvious. Start with Christmas on December 25, and subtract nine Thursday, March 23 8:30 a.m. Eddie Dubord (D) months, and you’ll get the reason for the feast. The Annunciation cele- brates the coming of the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary and an- Friday, March 24 nouncing to her that she is to be the mother of the Savior. This event has 8:30 a.m. Paul V. Caillet (D) been one of the classic religious subjects of Western art for centuries.

Saturday, March 25 The next time you’re at your computer, go to the Google search engine, 5:00 p.m. People of the Parish and search for the word Annunciation,” then click on the tab that says 7:00 p.m. Juan Hernandez (D) “Images.” You’ll find hundreds of paintings of the Annunciation. Most of these depict the archangel appearing to Mary. She is depicted holding a Sunday, March 26 8:00 a.m. David & Kevin Wilson (D) book; a visual reference to the fact that her child would fulfill the words 10:30 a.m. Knights of Columbus and of the Old Testament prophets. The coming of the Holy Spirit is por- their families trayed by a descending dove or by a ray of light shining from heaven.

On the feast of the Annunciation, we switch to white vestments and pray the Gloria at the beginning of the Mass, both are symbols of the joy that accompanies the Incarnation— Christ becoming human and choosing to Readings for the Week be born as one of us.

Monday: 2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16; Ps 89:2 -5, 27, 29; Rom 4:13, 16-18, 22; Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a or Lk 2:41-51a Tuesday: Dn 3:25, 34-43; Ps 25:4-5ab, All are welcome. Join us as we pray the Rosary on 6, 7bc, 8-9; Mt 18:21-35 the Annunciation of Our Blessed Mother, Saturday Wednesday: Dt 4:1, 5-9; Ps 147:12-13, March 25 at 4:15 p.m. Rosary is sponsored by the 15-16, 19-20; Mt 5:17-19 St. Francis Altar Society. After the rosary, we Thursday: Jer 7:23-28; Ps 95:1-2, 6-9; plan to attend 5:00 p.m. Mass as a group. Lk 11:14-23 Friday: Hos 14:2-10; Ps 81:6c-11ab, 14, 17; Mk 12:28-34 Saturday: Is 7:10-14, 8:10; Ps 40:7-11; Heb 10:4-10; Lk 1:26-38 Confession Times: Saturday, March 18, 25, April 1, 8 -3:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday: 1 Sm 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a; Wednesday, March 22, April 5, 12 -5:00-6:00 p.m. Ps 23:1-6; Eph 5:8-14; Jn 9:1-41[1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38] Stations of the Cross: Friday, March 17, 24, 31,April 7@7:00 p.m. third Sunday of lent

Rosey Abrego Molina Saturday, March 18 Scholarship 3:30-4:30 p.m. Reconciliation The family of Rosey Abrego 5:00 & 7:00 p.m. Mass Molina is awarding one scholarship in the amount of Sunday, March 19 $750 in her memory. Con- 8:00 & 10:30 a.m. Mass sideration will be given to 6:00 p.m. QuincAnos-class scholarship, leadership, character, and citizenship. Monday, March 20 Candidates must be a mem- No Mass 6:00 p.m. Adult Choir practice ber of the current graduating class, maintained a mini- Tuesday, March 21 mum of a 3.0 GPA, a 8:30 a.m. Mass Catholic, and active in the St. Francis of Assisi 5:45 a.m. Men’s Faith Sharing Catholic Community. 6:15 a.m. Women’s Faith Sharing 7:00 p.m. RCIA Candidates must have re- Men, 16 years and older, this weekend

ceived a college letter of Wednesday, March 22 acceptance. Deadline is is about how to discern God’s call for May 8 at 3:00 p.m. 5:00-6:00 p.m. Reconciliation your life. 6:30 p.m. Mass 5:15-6:15 p.m. RE (K-8th) Vocations Retreat 6:30 p.m.-Keysis April 7-9, 2017 2017 St. Francis of Assisi Thursday, March 23 Scholarship No cost to you 8:30 a.m Mass Transportation provided from Beaumont. Seating is limited. Reserve your spot today. One $500 scholarship will Friday, March 24 be awarded based on 8:30 a.m. Mass To register, contact: scholarship, leadership, 4:00 p.m. Girl Scouts Diocese of Beaumont Office of Vocations character, citizenship and 5:00 p.m. KC Lenten Fish Fry Lindsey Parish, Vocations Secretary service. Applications are 7:00 p.m. Stations of the Cross 409-924-4363 available in church office [email protected] and at church entrance. Saturday, March 25 Please return to church 3:30-4:30 p.m. Reconciliation office. Deadline is May 8 5:00 & 7:00 p.m. Mass Knights of Columbus at 3 p.m. At 5:00 p.m. Mass there will be a Special blessing of parents who th On Friday March 24 Knights of are expecting a baby. th Women's ACTS Retreat Columbus 4 Degree Knights will lead Registration Begins Sunday, March 26 our parish in the Stations of the Cross at 7:00 th 8:00 & 10:30 a.m. Mass p.m.; two days later on Sunday March 26 the Registration begins at 9:00am 4th Degree will be our escort for the 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 20th for the mass! Knights of Columbus members will be at next St. Francis Women's Special Collections each entrance/exit to pass out information about ACTS Retreat. The retreat will be held May 18th-21st.The fee the Knights of Columbus to potential candidates March 26 - Catholic Relief for membership! All you have to be is a young is $170.00.To register, com- Services is the international plete a registration form and humanitarian agency of the Catholic man at least 18 years old and willing to serve turn in along with your deposit community in the United States. this parish and our LORD! It will only take a of $50.00. Financial difficulties Founded in 1943 by the United small amount of your time and you will not should not prevent anyone from States Council of Catholic Bishops, regret it! attending the retreat. Registra- the agency provides assistance to tion forms can be found at the 130 million people in more than 90 Stewardship of Online giving is an excellent way back of the church. Please call countries and territories in Treasure to fulfill your obligation to (409) 988-4287 if you have any Africa, Asia, Latin America, the March 11/12, 2017 Support St. Francis parish. Go to: questions. Middle East and Eastern Europe. $11,094.00 stfrancisorangetx.org and click the Thank you for Online giving link. your generosity St. Francis catholic community Orange, Texas March 19, 2017

The Knights of Columbus established a program in 2012 titled Food for Families! We have set a goal of TAIZÉ PRAYER SERVICE collecting 1000 pounds of food for Orange Christian An evening of quiet prayer and song Services during this Lenten season. With over 600 Sunday Catholic Christian families in our Parish, the goal is within our March 26, 2017 means! A recent tour of Orange Christian Services revealed two 7:00 - 8:30 pm things: that they have a dedicated staff and volunteers helping the We invite you to a prayer service of scripture, reflection less fortunate, and that the faces of those there in need clearly ex- and meditative music in the style of the ecumenical press a sense of urgency. Put yourself in their shoes; who would monastic community in Taizé, France, founded in 1940. you turn to if there was no food on your table? Father in Heaven, you commission each of us to help the least of our Brothers, in- spire us to contribute what we can spare to help the needy in Orange, Texas! Amen! Your canned food donations can be placed in the large OCS wicker collection boxes at each of the two front entrances to our Church. Thank You for Your Generosity! The liturgy is a simple worship service, serving to quiet our inmost being. There is repetition in the words of the music and chants. There are periods of silence, and all the readings are read slowly-so all may experience a deep, quiet growth in their hearts. There we learn to be still in the presence of God and listen to God’s voice. Open to all free of charge

HOLY FAMILY CENTER 9920 NORTH MAJOR DRIVE BEAUMONT, TEXAS 77713-7618 TEL: (409) 899-5617 FAX: (409) 899-3161 E-MAIL: [email protected] WWW.DIOCESEOFBMT.ORG/HOLYFAMILY/ INDEX.HTML

The Cost of “I Do Again” marriage retreat is $100 per couple. This includes Knights of Columbus room, board, materi- Lenten Friday als and instruction. Please make the Fish Fry Dinner checks out to Dio- 5pm-7pm cese of Beaumont”

2 large fish filets Easter Lilies (fried or broiled) Purchase an Easter Lily for the altar this Easter in French fries, hush puppies, memory or in honor of someone you love! cole slaw, drink dessert. E-mail, [email protected] with your name, phone number, and who you would like to honor (Every Friday in Lent from 5:00-7:00 p.m., or remember. You may also call Mary Rollins at except Good Friday) 883-2691 with the information. Please leave your name and number and your call will be returned. Your $12 Cost -$8 donation per lily must be received by March 31.

38 participated in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on March 7. St Francis’ St. Vincent De Paul Bingo and Silent Auction Jesus will give you all the graces Fund Raiser Friday, May 5 at 6:00 p.m. to be happy third Sunday of lent

St. Mary School News Domino’s Pizza Day – 3rd Thursday each month. Percentage of sales all day from either of the Orange locations goes to St. Mary School, Orange

Save your Box Tops for Education for the school.

School Festival April 29th & 30th. We are now accepting plants for the Plant Booth.

Shop at Kroger & earn money for the school. The school is participating in The Kroger’s Community Reward program. Follow these steps to help our school out: 1. You have to have a Kroger Plus Card. If you don’t already have one you can get one at Kroger. 2. Link your Kroger Plus Card to our school. Go to the Kroger web site under the Community Tab or you can call Kroger at 1-800- 576-4377 & choose option 3. If you need assistance call the school office at 883-8913. 3. Click on Kroger Community Reward. You sign in (if you already have an account) or set up an account. 4. Link your account to the school account. Choose St. Mary Catholic Church with the school address – 2600 Bob Hall Road Orange, Texas. 5. Each time you shop at Kroger, use your Kroger Plus Card. St. Mary School Lighting Enhancement Project St. Mary School has begun a “Lighting Enhancement Project”. The Federal Government mandated the phasing out of fluorescent lighting, so the school is converting all of the fluorescent lighting to L.E.D. lighting. L.E.D. lighting is brighter and more efficient so the school’s electrical bills will be reduced. The work is being accomplished by parents, grandparents and friends of St. Mary School. If you would like to donate to the project, you can: Send a check to St. Mary School, 2600 Bob Hall Road, Orange, TX 77630 Go to the schools website St. Mary Catholic School, Orange, TX and use the “DONATE NOW’ button Give your donation to Jerry Ehrman or Joe Murphy Please mark “Lighting Enhancement Project” on your donation. St. Mary School 83rd Annual Spring Festival St. Mary Catholic School have begun preparations for our 83rd Annual Spring Festival which is scheduled for the weekend of April 29-30, 2017, and please know that all proceeds will benefit our scholarship fund and provide for ongoing school expenses. Through the efforts of all, we will continue to provide a quality Catholic education for our youth.