Saint John Bosco Roman Parish Center Office 215 E. County Line Road

Hatboro, PA 19040 Tel. (215) 672-7280 In emergency, call anytime 24/7.

Otherwise, please call during Office Hours. Faith Formation Office (PREP) Tel. 267-803-0774. St. Vincent de Paul Society Tel. 215-882-2707.

Staff Rev. Gary J. Kramer, Pastor Mary’s Month Religious Services Rev. Gerald C. Ronan, Parochial Vicar Our Bosco family Sunday Rev. James E. McVeigh, Weekend Assistant prays a public Vigil Masses on Sat. Eve.: Deacon Daniel J. Rouse, Financial Administrator one-half 4 pm (English); 7 pm (Spanish) Mrs. Diane Falchetta, Secretary hour before each Morning Masses on Sun.: Loretta Ceniviva, Secretary regularly scheduled 7:00, 9:00, 11:00 am Mrs. Christine Flack, Faith Formation Coordinator Mass in May. No afternoon/eve. Mass Sunday. Mrs. Lisa Quaranto, Music Director & All are welcome. Mon. to Fri. Youth Ministry Coordinator Mrs. Janet Shepherd, Bulletin Editor Confession: 8:15-8:35 am. Holy Mass: 8:45 am. Office Hours Sat. Confession: 8:30-8:50 am. Rosary: 8:30 am. Mass Cards/Mail/Messages/Documents/Facility Keys

Holy Mass: 9:00 am Novena: After Mass to are available only during regular Office Hours: Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. Mon. to Thurs.: 9 am to 12 noon; 1 to 4:30 pm; Confession: 3-3:30 pm; 6-6:30 pm. Eve. 6:30 to 8:00 pm by appt. Parishioners unable to attend confessions at regularly Fri.: 9 am to 12 noon; 1 to 4 pm. Eve. closed.

scheduled times may request appt. with priest. Sat./Sun.: Closed.

ARRANGING MARRIAGE Wedding Planning starts with engaged couple’s meeting a parish priest here at least six (6) months before desired wedding date. Please do not make financial commitments before confirming church date/time with our parish priest. Marriage Convalidation, a simple ceremony known These parishioners have completed our parish as “getting a marriage blessed”, is to remedy the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults situation of a couple who married in a civil or a non- (Spanish-language group). They are receiving the Catholic ceremony without explicit permission of the Sacrament of Confirmation today at the Catholic Church. Their marriage is not recognized as Cathedral-Basilica in Phila.: valid in the Catholic Church. The Catholic parties in Neftali Chavez-Vanegas such marriages cannot receive other sacraments or Miriam DeLeon serve as Sponsors at Baptism and Confirmation. This Lizeth Miranda-Siliezar situation often is easily remedied by “convalidation” Damian Reyes

if no other impediments to marriage are present. Any older teen or adult wishing to Please consult with a parish priest for more info. receive Baptism, First Communion, or Confirmation in the Catholic Faith is welcome to call for info.: Faith Formation Office (PREP) Tel. 267-803-0774. How to Contact Priest (Emergency)

Within This Parish Call Parish Tel. (above). A Parish Outside This Parish Our priests are not “on-call” for priest is “on-call” (24 hrs./7 days wk.) for emergencies urgent needs at other hospitals, nursing homes, rehabs. within this parish’s area, e.g. at parishioners’ homes, They have their own local “on-call” priests. At any Majestic Oaks Nursing Home and the Hospice Unit, time, please ask a facility’s staff to contact its “on-call” Abington Health Center in Warminster. Catholic chaplain or the local Catholic parish.

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Sunday, May 15, 2016 The Eucharistic of Lanciano

The Eucharist is the most important truth of our Faith. This is what separates us from our brothers and sisters of the Protestant denominations, usually called our “separated brethren”. We believe in the everlasting gift of the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist brought to us each day in miracle form on every altar in the world at the consecration of the Mass, just as Jesus commanded.

This of Lanciano, in 700 A.D. has been documented by the Church and supported by Papal Bulls. It is also the first recorded Eucharistic miracle. In Lanciano, Italy, it is said that the one who struck the side of Jesus and hit His heart with a lance so that water and blood flowed out, came from this town. The original name of this town was Anxanum, in ancient times, and later changed to Lanciano, meaning “the Lance.” This centurion had poor eyesight and when he touched his eyes with the water and blood from the side of Jesus, his eyesight was restored. Christ’s incomparable mercy flowed out to a man who, only seconds before, pierced Him cruelly with a lance. The Roman soldier was healed and converted. This man, Longinus, gave up the army, went to Cappadocia and was martyred for the Faith. The Doubting Monk The site of the Eucharistic miracle of Lanciano was the Church of Lagontian and St. Domitian, and was under the custody of the Basilian monks. There was a Basilian monk who entertained doubts regarding the Real Presence of Our Lord Jesus in the Eucharist. At that time, there were many heresies cropping up which weakened his faith. One morning, he celebrated Mass with doubts in mind. When he came to the consecration, something unusual happened that made his hands, in fact his whole body, shake. The Host had turned into Flesh. The Wine had turned into Blood. The monk stood a long time with his back to the people and then slowly turned around to them. He said, “O fortunate witnesses to whom the Blessed God to confound my disbelief, has wished to reveal Himself in this most Blessed Sacrament or to render Himself visible to our eyes. Come brethren and marvel at our God so close to you. Behold the Flesh and Blood of our most Beloved Christ.” The people having witnessed the miracle for themselves began to wail, asking for forgiveness, crying for mercy. And the doubting Thomases may have been dumbfounded. The Basilian priest’s faith was renewed. The entire town, the whole country for that matter, became aware of the miracle. Pilgrims flocked to Lanciano to venerate the Host that turned into Flesh. Belief in the Eucharist was reborn. Science Authenticates the Miracle of Lanciano Through the years, many tests have been made to determine the authenticity of the Eucharistic miracle of Lanciano. Here are the results of the scientific tests done in 1970, using the most modern scientific tools:  The flesh is real flesh. The blood is real blood.  The flesh consists of the muscular tissue of the heart (myocardium).  The flesh and blood have the same blood type (AB).  In the blood, there were found proteins in the same normal proportions as are found in the sero-proteic make-up of fresh normal blood.  In the blood there were also found these minerals – chlorides, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium and calcium.  The preservation of the flesh and the blood, which were left in their natural state for 12 centuries without any chemical preservatives and exposed to the action of atmospheric and biological agents, remains an extraordinary phenomenon. An Unusual Corroboration Many Catholics are familiar with the Shroud of Turin, a linen sheet, still miraculously surviving today, on which can be found imprints of a man who died after being crucified. Tradition has held this Shroud as the same piece of sheet used to wrap the Lord Jesus when He was buried. In 1978, a group of scientists from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) performed an extensive examination of the Shroud using all the sophisticated equipment available to the space agency at that time. The findings of scientists supported the authenticity of the Shroud. A very significant discovery was also found regarding the blood type of the Shroud. It was AB positive, the same blood type found in the Eucharistic miracle of Lanciano. Christ's Great Love From the very beginning, the local church accepted this miracle as a true sign from heaven, and venerated the Eucharistic Flesh and Blood in procession on its feast day, the last Sunday of October. In the Lanciano miracle, Jesus reveals to us His very Heart and His very Blood. It helps us understand the great sacrifice and generous love of the Perfect Lamb, Jesus, in the Holy Mass. He gives us His Body and Blood to heal and nourish our souls.

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Please Pray for Our Faithful Departed Ed. Note: Pope St. John Paul II Letter (Oct. 2004) to the Archbishop of Lanciano relates to the Eucharistic Celia Campfield, Robert C. Dolan, Miracle discussed in From the Pastor on today’s page Michele Pugluiso, Anna L. Renz, 2. Papal Letter appears on the next page 4. and Maria Rhodes. Eternal Rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEK them. May their souls and all the souls 5/16 MON. 8:45 AM Matthew Grasela of the Faithful Departed through the 5/17 TUES. 8:45 AM Joseph Mele mercy of God rest in peace. Amen. 5/18 WED. 8:45 AM Pasquale Peluso 5/19 THURS. 8:45 AM Bernardine Timko 5/20 FRI. 8:45 AM Agnes & John Gulisano PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SICK AND INFIRM. SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2016 9:00 AM Joseph S. Antonucci Phil Adamo, Jr. Gail Maines 4:00 PM Francis J. Kurdziel, Sr. Patricia Ambrose Florence McHugh 7:00 PM Pro Populo (For the People) Edward Bauman Rick Obert-Thorn Melissa Bauman Rolene Rose SUNDAY, MAY 22, 2016 Robert Boileau Catherine Sarsfield 7:00 AM Eleanor & Raymond Clark William J. Brady Joseph Serratore 9:00 AM Bernardine Timko Miriam Burke Joseph Sienkiewicz 11:00 AM Helen Mistishen Joseph Campbell Slanino Helen Cannon Brett Vivian Carolyn Cole Frank Waltrich Adoration Chapel Linda Cunningham Jim Wyatt Chapel Hours Sat.-Sun. Closed. Ellen Dardis How we list: Mon.: after 8:45 am Mass to 7 pm. Irene Dardis We list sick persons for

Tues. to Fri.: 8 am to 7 pm. Carol Gallagher one month at their own or Prayer Intention Candles (6) Marianna Genn family member’s request. burn alongside the Blessed Sacrament in Rita Garofalo To place/extend a listing, the Adoration Chapel and are dedicated this week to: MaryAnn Graham please call Parish Center. Debbie Hipple Candles are available. Lilly Ibbotson How we list: Marie Jones Just send your name with intention & offering to Tim Keebler

ADORATION CANDLE c/o Parish Center. Please

name one Person, Couple (engaged or married), Fam- ily, Group per request. Candles are for living or dec’d. Sunday Amount Dif- Offering: $ 15. ference 4/24/16 $ 9,734.57 4/26/15 12,043.00 - 2,308.43

5/1/16 11,822.00

5/3/15 12,579.00 - 757.00

FREE BP SCREENINGS May 14-15 Catholic Home Missions after Masses Sat. 4 PM; Sun. 9 and 11 AM. 5/1/16 1,621.00 Blood Pressures will be checked in Ushers' Room! 5/3/15 1,804.00 - 183.00

Please submit items for Bulletin issue dates (left) by 12 noon on submission dates (right):

 June 5…………………………...Mon., May 16  June 12…………………………...Mon., May 23 We congratulate  June 19…………………………...Tues., May 31 Anthony Benjamin Masucci and  June 26…………………………...Mon., June 6 Jillian Colleen Garvey Please send info./questions to Bulletin Editor at who married here April 2, 2016. Parish Ctr. Email [email protected].

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LETTER OF JOHN PAUL II TO ARCHBISHOP CARLO GHIDELLI OF LANCIANO- (ITALY)

To my Venerable Brother Archbishop Carlo Ghidelli of Lanciano-Ortona 1. I accepted with deep joy your invitation to address a word of exhortation to the beloved Community of Lanciano-Ortona. The memory is still with me of the meeting on 21 April this year when, to strengthen the communion with the Successor of Peter of this particular Church, you ac- companied a large diocesan pilgrimage to St Peter's Square. You now inform me of an event of great importance to the Archdiocese: the celebration of the first centenary of the Dedication of the restored Basilica-Cathedral of Madonna del Ponte, Lanciano (1905-2005). For this anniversary, you have desired to establish a special Marian Eucharistic Year, in response to my appeal in the JOHN PAUL II Encyclical Ecclesia de Eucharistia and in felicitous coincidence with the Year of the Eucharist IOANNES PAULUS II that I am preparing to inaugurate this October. I am delighted with your project and hope that it Born: May 18,1920 will produce in abundance the desired spiritual fruits. Died: April 2, 2005

2. I very much hope that during the Year of the Eucharist every diocesan Community will Pope: 1978-2005 publicly renew its act of faith in Jesus present in the Sacrament of the Altar and will draw Beatified: 2011. inspiration for the whole of its life and pastoral action from this Eucharistic spirituality that Canonized: April 27, emerges so clearly from the Gospel accounts. Christ, indeed, who offered his whole self for the 2014 by Pope Francis . salvation of humanity (cf. Mk 10:45), chose to perpetuate his self-giving, sacrificial dedication in the Source: http:// sacrament of the Eucharist (cf. Lk 22:19-20). For us Christians the Eucharist is our all: it is the center of w2.vatican.va/ our faith and the source of all our spiritual life. content/john- paul-ii/en/ This is particularly true for the city of Lanciano, custodian of two Eucharistic which, in addition letters/2004/ to being very dear to the faithful of Frentania, make it the destination of many pilgrimages from Italy and © Copyright - the whole world. I would like to recall that when I was the Cardinal of Krakow, I myself visited the Libreria Editrice Church of St Francis in Lanciano where the are preserved of the famous miracle that dates back to Vaticana the eighth century. Through you, Venerable Brother, I would like to say to all the faithful of the Archdiocese: be aware of the immense favours that God has granted to you, and do not fail to adore the Holy Eucharist, not only in the church of the miracle but in all the churches of your beautiful region. I also join you especially in asking the Lord Jesus to give you many holy vocations to the priesthood, for the present and future of your diocesan Community. At the same time, I pray so that the Lord may make holy families spring up in your area because, as the Second Vatican Council teaches, they are the best nursery for the different vocations on which the life of the Church depends.

3. In celebrating the centenary of the Cathedral, you intend to venerate your dear Patroness, Queen of the People of Frentania. She is called "Madonna del Ponte" (Our Lady of the Bridge) because of the unique situation of the Basilica itself. I hope that the Marian devotion will be kept alive in the hearts of the faithful. If we want to persevere in constantly doing God's will, the best way is to listen to Mary's pressing and motherly invitation: "Do whatever he tells you" (Jn 2:5). I address a special word to the dear young people of Frentania: put your trust in the Lord Jesus, choose him as your special friend, be his disciples by listening to and meditating on the holy Gospel, serve him in your neighbour, especially in your poorest and neediest brethren, and I assure you that you will find what you need to live to the full the ideals of your age.

4. Lastly, I would also like to mention another great gift that a pious tradition claims was granted to your Community: the mortal remains of the Apostle Thomas that are preserved in the Co-Cathedral of Ortona. As an Apostle of Jesus, St Thomas leads us back to the perennial source of the Gospel. May his life be an incentive to all to seek the truth always, even when the darkness thickens around us; to seek it lovingly, in order to share it with our brothers and sisters. Through the intercession of St Thomas, I pray the Lord always to sustain the people of Frentania, especially in times of trial. I know that your land, moreover, like so many other parts of the , has been through particularly difficult periods in its history. I am thinking especially of the phenomenon of emigration that has involved numerous families over the years. What great suffering! Yet with God's help the past generations were able to resist with great patience and an equal measure of courage. It is now up to you to show that you are children who are worthy of such generous and honourable parents.

5. Venerable Brother, these are the thoughts that well up from my heart I commend them to you with deep trust and ask you to pass them on to your priests and to all the faithful entrusted to your pastoral care. My most heartfelt wish is that all of them, united with their Pastor, under the protection of the Virgin Mary and the Apostle St Thomas and sustained by the ever timely teaching of the Second Vatican Council, may find in the centenary celebrations the supernatural light that alone can brighten their way and sustain their missionary commitment.

To this end, I wholeheartedly impart to you, venerable Brother in the Episcopate, to your priests, men and women religious and to the entire Community of Lanciano-Ortona, a special Apostolic Blessing. From the Vatican, 4 October 2004 JOHN PAUL II

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BEREAVEMENT MINISTRYs Lunch N Learn (meet, eat, discover) SUPPORT GROUP Fri., May 20 12 noon Parish Center 12:15 – 1:30 pm (Sunday) Bosco Room Final Spring Session. Cafeteria. Topic – Gardening! May 15 (5) Spiritual Elements of Grief & Healing Activity – plant seeds (herbs & The Values of Memories flowers) in a pot and take home. Info. / Register: Bernice Tel. (215) 443-8439. Bring your lunch. Coffee, tea & dessert provided.

June 4, 2016 9 AM -1 PM Craft Like Crazy CLOTHING DRIVE by Greendrop Thursdays 10 AM. Making small truck in back parking lot, sponsored by crafts for Christmas Bazaar. St Vincent de Paul. 50 pounds limit, Info. Janet 215-718-7841. clothing, shoes, small appliances, SJB Craft Club books, glass ware, household items, etc. CAR Wednesdays 7 PM. Info. Donna 215-350-0542. WASH Minnie Vinnies Youth Group of St Vincent de Paul is sponsoring car wash on back parking lot, SJB’s Craft Club kindly requests DONATIONS $5.00 car, $7.00 van. FLEA MARKET / of material to make things for the Christmas Bazaar. RUMMAGE SALE: We need 100% COTTON MATERIAL Women’s Guild & Holy Name Society are sponsors. at least 44 inches wide & 3/4 yard long. Call 215-882-2707 for more info. Flannel fabric is acceptable as it is 100% cotton. Please mark donation Craft Club and leave in the church Usher's Senior Club Meeting Room or drop at the Parish Office. Info.? Wed., June 8 12 Noon Donna 215-350-0542 Hoagie Luncheon & Bingo! Election of Officers for 2016-2017

Saint John Bosco Sat., June 4 from 8 AM to 1PM. Flea Market Closets overflowing? Clean out those unwanted items & turn them into cash by renting one or more spaces to sell your stuff. Spaces $ 15.00. Contact: Janet Lynch 215-364-1646.

Rummage Sale Don’t want to rent a space. Have items to Donate? SJB accepts donations dropped off in our collection boxes by gym doors from 5/26/16-6/3/16. Contact: John 215-669-8159.

The Holy Name Society is Baked Goods Table at SJB Flea Market/ sponsoring a trip to Trenton Rummage Sale, 6/4 from 8-1 PM. Can you Thunder vs. Reading make and donate your favorite dessert? Please Fighting Phils in Trenton complete form below and drop in any Sat., July 16,, 7 PM. Collection Basket. Please help us to have another successful event. Thanks for your Great Family & Parish Fun this support and generosity. Summer!! Questions? Tel. 215-718-7841.

Tickets $ 9 per person. YES! Contact: Stephen [email protected] for I can bring a baked good to Flea Market on 6/4. tickets. Info.? Questions? Please call 215-682-9702. Ticket orders Name: ______th Due by June 25 . Call or email Phone: ______for tickets and payments.

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YOU’RE INVITED TO A BIRTHDAY PARTY! Where? Saint John Bosco

Whose? Pentecost is the Church’s Birthday!

Wear something red to church that weekend! (The priests wear red vestments to honor the Holy Spirit!) Be sure to stop by the tent for birthday cupcakes after Sat. 4 PM Mass! Take some home for desert.

Visit the for its Summer Novena of Mercy June 12-20!

Fr. Aidan Rooney, CM, will preach on CHURCH ANNULMENTS the topic "Mother of Mercy" for nine Assumption BVM Parish, days beginning Sun., June 12, 2016. 1900 Meadowbrook Road, Most Rev. Ronald W. Gainer, DD, JCL, Feasterville, PA. Bishop of Harrisburg, will be main Thurs., May 19, 2016, 7 PM Par- celebrant at Closing Mass on the ish Hall. Novena’s last day, June 20, 2016. Speaker : Rev. Eduardo G. Montero, JCL. Each day, prayer will be offered for a different group Great opportunity to learn about the seeking Mary’s intercession for their needs. annulment process in the Catholic Church. Confessions Mondays and Thursday begin 15 There will be a period for questions and answers. minutes prior to Masses and Services. Sacrament of “Anointing of the Sick” will be While open to everyone, the presentation will be celebrated at each service on Friday, June 17. particularly helpful for Catholics who are divorced, In addition, thousands of intentions from all over the and perhaps remarried, and for divorced individuals world will be sent to the Shrine to be hung on the beginning the RCIA process. Altar’s golden gates on intention cards.

More info. at www.MiraculousMedal.org/Novena. Come Celebrate a Baby Shower! All women of the Parish are invited to join us Sun., June 5 immediately May ~ Mary’s Month following 9am Mass in Drexel Hall All welcome!! (Cafeteria). Breakfast will be Our Bosco family prays a public served. Please bring unwrapped gift! rosary one-half hr. before each All baby gifts will be donated to St. Vincent DePaul regularly scheduled Mass in May. Society for needy children in our Parish.

We have extra opportunities to join Bottles, bibs, blankets, booties! in Mary’s prayer: Mon. 5/18 6:45 pm Adoration Diapers, late nights & parental duties! Chapel. It's almost time for the glorious hour! Each Sat.: 8:30 am (English) & 6:15 pm (Spanish) in the Church. Each Tues. Legion of Mary Mtg

(Parish Ctr.) Call for time of late morn. mtg. Rosary with Theme Meditations: All Mothers Mon., 5/23 6:45 pm in Adoration Chapel. Grow in holiness within the wondrous vocation of motherhood. Every mystery reflects on how women directly relate to God's special gift of motherhood. St. Francis de Sales said the greatest method of praying is the Rosary.

Act of Kindness…

Suggestion Week of May 15 ~ “Let someone else have their way without putting up a fight about it.”

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The Fall Festival Parish Religious Education Be sure to save the date Program PREP 2016-17 We’ll be having lots of fun; Have a child entering So don’t you hesitate! Gr. 1 in September?

There’ll be a pumpkin chal- He/she needs to begin classes this Summer or Fall. lenge Older children and teens who have not yet received all Here are your pumpkin seeds Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Communion, or Confirmation) may register now, too. Get them planted in your garden Seedlings planted, pull the weeds. Weekly PREP Tuesday Sessions: Sept. to May Start gardening by May Either 4:15-5:30 pm or 6:45-8:00 pm Well-drained soil is the best Take good care of pumpkin plants Summer PREP Two weeks June 23-28 & July 1-3 So you win this fun contest! 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM Pumpkin patches like the sun Summer option requires families to commit to five (5) family activities a year offered by the parish. Since the biggest wins a prize Water, till and feed them REGISTRATION & TUITION For pumpkins of great size! You may register in person at our PREP office. Then bring your great big pumpkin Or, you may print registration forms from the parish On the date of the Fall Fest website www.sjbhatboro.org. We’ll measure up the girth Mail them to Parish Center or To decide which one is BEST! drop them in any collection basket.

Please consider entering the Registering a new student? Please include copy of his/her Baptism Certificate. GREAT PUMPKIN CONTEST. The biggest pumpkin wins! Tuition (same as last year): 1 child $ 225; SJB Fall Festival 9/20/16-9/24/16 2 children $ 290; 3+ children $ 340.00). Look now for FREE PACKETS $ 100 due at registration; OF PUMPKIN SEEDS at all Church Entrances! full payment due by start of classes.

Non-parish Families Welcome Starting May 17, 2016 non parish families may register for SJB Summer PREP. Note: 2nd & 4th levels currently full. Added registration requirements for non-parish families. 1. Tuition Add “Out of Parish” Fee ($ 100.). 2. Letter of Permission to attend SJB’s PREP from family’s home parish where registered. 3. Reception of Sacraments by children will be Queen of Angels Day ~ Open House in parish where family is registered. Family will Wed., May 18 10:00-11:30am, need to make arrangements with that parish. Presentation and tours immediately Questions? Info.? Faith Formation Office following. Info.? (PREP) Tel. 267-803-0774. RSVP to Advancement Office Tel. 215-309-4028 or [email protected].

We are sure some of you out there have IS SEWING YOUR PASSION? been wondering what you could do to If so, we need you! We are putting help at the Fall Festival. Are you a together a team of sewers to make good cook? Do you like to fry food? Baptismal Bibs Here's your chance! Divine Dining for our newly baptized babies. needs someone to run two small fryers at the Festival This is a perfect opportunity for you to from 9/20-9/24. Broccoli Bites, Mozzarella Sticks put your sewing skills to work!! and Shrimp are on the menu. If you can help out, please contact Peachy at 215-674-9713 or John 215- Please contact Barbara Murphy at 669-8159. 215-441-4073 if you are able to help.

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The Wonder of Woman May is Mary’s Month by Sonja Corbitt Source: The Great Adventure Blog, April 20, 2016 [email protected] via mail5.suw15.mcsv.net The height of comic book popularity coincided with the ravages of World War II in which survivors longed for virtue to triumph, and superheroes fought alongside them against the forces of evil to ensure a swift conclusion. Surveying the dearth of women in the comic book superhero landscape, Harvard trained Doctor of Psychology, William Marston, sought to reconcile it with his own experience and appreciation of strong women influences who were not soldiers or necessarily physical “fighters” themselves. Of his pen, Wonder Woman was born, becoming the most popular, long-running comic book character behind only Superman and Batman. A new kind of superhero, one who “would triumph not with fists or fire- power, but with love,” Wonder Woman funneled enormous mental energies into superhuman strength. Her lasso of truth, indestructible shield-bracelets, royal tiara- sword, and other superhuman, but mostly defensive, powers and weapons assisted her in fighting for justice, love, and peace. A careful student of sociology and psychology, Marston observed, “Not even girls want to be girls so long as our feminine archetype lacks force, strength, and power. [T]hey don’t want to be tender, submissive, peace- loving as good women are. Women’s strong qualities have become despised because of their weakness. “The obvious remedy is to create a feminine character with all the strength of Superman plus all the allure of a good and beautiful woman.” Eve & Mary (below) Why create a character, when we know a real Wonder Woman?

The Woman The Bible doesn’t offer many specifics about Mary, but we know she was a wonderer (Luke 2:19). Did she ruminate over the Genesis account, considering that the woman was Evil’s first object of interest on earth? In the Garden, it is woman whom the serpent approaches, the one upon whom his active, envious hatred is first unleashed, and what terrifying separa- tion followed. Does Mary wonder if she is “the woman” at the center of salvation in Genesis 3:15? “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” Enmity is hatred. Oh, how Evil hates the woman. “This passage in Genesis is called the proto-evangelium (‘first gospel’): first announcement of the Messiah and Redeemer, of a battle between the serpent and the Woman, and of the final victory of a descendant of hers. Furthermore many Fathers and Doc- tors of the Church have seen the woman announced in the proto-evangelium as Mary, Mother of Christ, ‘new Eve’” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 410-411).

As C.S. Lewis wrote in The Great Divorce, “A sum can be put right: but only by going back till you find the error and working it afresh from that point, never by simply going on. Evil can be undone, but it cannot develop into good. Time does not heal it. The spell must be unwound, bit by bit, ‘with backward mutters of dissevering power’— or else not.” Approaching Eve first seems to have been a deliberate strategy, as though Satan knew or suspected that she was somehow foundational to it all and that to convince her would be key to destroying the whole structure. That, to me, along with Eve’s resultant dispossession of authority and subjection to Adam, suggests that Eve both enjoyed and abused some sort of profound influence prior to the Fall. Whatever it means, God used the same woman-first approach when the “fullness of time had come” (Gal 4:4, NAB). As St. John Paul II reminded us: God entrusted the human being to woman. Certainly, every human being is entrusted to each and every other human being, but in a special way the human being is entrusted to woman, precisely because the woman in virtue of her special experience of motherhood is seen to have a specific sensitivity towards the human person and all that constitutes the individual’s true welfare (Christifideles Laici, 51). It was through woman whom the ancient wound first entered, separating herself from God, and herself from man. Woman it would be through whom the Great Re-connect would begin. God began redemption by rewinding to the beginning, the woman, where the sin first rooted, and burrowed, and poisoned. All of time works backward from Mary’s “yes.” What was she really saying “yes” to? And what does that have to do with me? Cont. on next page.

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Cont. from previous page.

The Wonder In the cosmic battle between good and evil, woman is said to be the companion and helpmate to man. She is a “helper” or battle partner, “suitable” or “fit” for him, meaning his opposite or complement (Gen.2:18). Elsewhere this designation is used for the Holy Spirit, Himself (Jn 14:16–17). The actual term used is Paraclete, a battle word that conveys the idea of coming alongside, to surround, advise, guard, protect, and aid. Edith Stein observed, “The terms woman and offspring [in the proto-evangelium] designate the Mother of God and the Redeemer. This however does not exclude the other meaning; the first woman, to whom Adam gave the name ‘mother of all living creatures,’ as well as all her successors, have been given a particular duty to struggle against evil and to prepare for the spiritual restoration of life.” The distinction of the female sex is that the “spiritual restoration of life” began with the willingness of one woman to completely obey and follow God in the context of her regular duties and station. What if that’s also true of each woman and the “realm” entrusted to her? If woman is specially charged with the battle against evil in her professional and domestic realms, might each woman’s assent also mysteriously restore life in those entrusted to her? Every woman likes to think, Of course I care about having a better relationship. Of course I want a strong influence. Of course I want to be closer to God. But most of the time we only submit to others if they deserve it or if we’re going to gain from it ourselves somehow. We think submission is weak. When we survey the tangled, contentious messes and gaping deficiencies in our relationships and the sin in our lives, we don’t think first, for example, Let me surrender what I want so he can have what he wants.

We don’t hurry to ask ourselves, How can I be crazy generous in this confrontation, in this day, in this moment? What springs to mind first is rarely, How can I receive this person, faults and all? Instead, we think, I’d love to be less selfish, but he doesn’t appreciate me. Or, I want to experience renewal in my relationship, but he has to apologize first. We prevaricate and deflect behind You go first. You say you’re sorry and I might forgive you. You change and I might change. You be transparent and then I’ll be transparent. You stop fighting, and then I’ll stop fighting.

But “God entrusted the human being to woman” because she has a specific sensitivity to the human person’s true welfare. I am woman; renewal begins with me. I must repent of my gracelessness, return everything involved to God’s provision, re-enter the communion of God’s embrace, and relate to others in and with the supernatural grace that flows from that Yes. In doing so, I am open and able to receive those around me, flaws and all. Mary shows me that spiritual power and authority rests in submission to God. The redemption of my terrifying hot mess begins with me. I, too, must re-enter community in the same way I left it: returning to God, and returning to others. Like Mary, I can receive the word of God in truth and return all that pertains to me to His provision. In returning I reclaim my rightful dignity and mysterious influence as woman, fearless and immovable. In reclaiming my dignity I am able to safely re-enter relationships, accepting in His grace all those around me with their faults intact; and in re-entering I reproduce the Word in the world.

Like Wonder Woman the superhero, and Mary, Woman of Wonder, we do battle with the forces of evil. We triumph not with fists or firepower, but with submission to the superhuman power of grace. Mary shows us that a woman who does it well reflects the rightful dignity of a true and powerful feminine mystique that carries great spiritual weight. I am a woman of wonder. I must go first.

Ed. Note: Titles of Mary. Wonder Woman is not (yet) one of Mary’s 100 plus Titles. “Lady of Victory” comes close. Dan Valenti says, “As befitting the Mother of God and Queen on Heaven, Mary has numerous titles and names. It's fascinating that one person can have so many titles, but how else could we grasp aspects of Our Lady merely by her given name? John’s Gospel doesn't even name Mary! He only refers to her as the mother of Jesus.” Dan’s personal Top Ten List is on the next page. What’s your favorite title or image of Mary??

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Titles of Mary by Dan Valenti (Nov 19, 2010) Shrine newsletter. 10. Queen of Peace — Pope Benedict XV officially proclaimed this title during World War. The Pope added this title into the Litany of Loreto in his call for peace among warring nations. 9. Our Lady of Czestochowa (The Black Madonna) — Poland's national shrine to Mary. Legend has it that St. Luke painted this icon on a table that Jesus built. Popes and pilgrims have recognized the miraculous nature of the image. 8. Mother of Perpetual Help — This heart breaking image has Madonna and Child attended by archangels Michael and Gabriel, who hold instruments of the Passion. The Christ Child, having glimpsed the instruments of torture, runs to His mother's protection. His right foot is bare, suggesting He ran out of his sandal in fear. 7. Our Lady of Guadalupe — Mary left her image on the cloak of St. Juan Diego. Our Lady called herself coatlaxopeuh - Indian for "the one who crushes the serpent" and pronounced "quat-la-supe," from which derives the English version of "Guadalupe." 6. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel — Mary of the brown . The scapular comes to us through the of St. Simon Stock. Many miracles have been attributed to the scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. 5. Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal — Mary's appearances to St. Catherine Laboure (1830) begin the modern Marian apparitions. Mary gave Catherine the medal’s design. It’s words prompted clarification of Immaculate Conception dogma proclaimed in 1854. 4. Mother of Mercy— St. Odo, 10th century abbot, is believed to be first to use this title, which in the 11th century became part of the prayer Salve Regina (“Hail Holy Queen”). 3. Blessed Mother— This seminal title is from Gabriel's Annunciation greeting to Mary, called "blessed" among all other women. 2. Immaculate Conception — Pope Pius IX in 1854 defined the dogma of Mary's sinless nature from the moment of being conceived by her parents. This was the first time a pope declared a dogma infallible even though papal infallibility would not be officially proclaimed for another 16 years. This is the definitive title of the Blessed Mother. 1. Theotokos —Greek word for "God bearer." In my personal opinion, No. 1 title of the Blessed Mother: The title, defined by the Council of Ephesus (431 A.D.) refers to the Virgin Mary as Mother of the incarnate Son of God.

ST. VINCENT de PAUL CONFERENCE The best time to Rediscover Jesus Tel. 215-882-2707 is right now. We invite you to join us Call for food or other material assistance? Monday, 5/16, 7 PM in our FOOD CUPBOARD May Needs Parish Center Library. Can you donate something? Coffee, tea, peanut butter, jelly, macaroni and cheese, Who am I? Who is God? What am I spaghetti and sauce, pancake mix and here for? What matters most? What syrup, cereal, canned fruit, juices, laundry matters least? What are my unique talents and detergent, liquid dish soap and personal abilities? What will my contribution be? grooming items, e.g., bath soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toilet paper. Drop off: Ring Parish Ctr. back door Jesus longs to help us discover deeply personal bell during Office Hours on Bulletin cover. answers to these deeply personal questions. Our parish Receptionist will “buzz” you in via intercom. Place distributed this book to families on Ash Wednesday. items just inside rear entrance area. Please give receptionist a few moments to reply when you ring A Novel Idea: You’re invited to join the bell. St. John Bosco Book Club! Like to read? Interested in fun, stimulating discussion? Please join us Mon., 6/6/16, 7:00 PM in FEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI is the Parish Center. Join our adventure when Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament through the pages of BEAUTIFUL RUINS by Jess is exposed not just to faithful Catholics Walter. Please bring your own beverage and a snack but to all the world. Annual Corpus to share. Christi Procession is Sunday, May 29 right after 11 AM Mass. Three altars will be erected in front parking lot. Catholics 2016 Catholic Women's Conference! can show love for Christ in His Real Presence by Mother of Mercy, Make Our Hearts Like Yours! honoring Him in a very public way. We show love Sat., Oct. 29, 2016, 8:30am to 4pm; for our neighbors by bringing Our Lord closer to National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa them. http://www.catholicwomensconference.org

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