ST. MARY Fourth Sunday of Lent 1333 58th Street, Sacramento CA 95819 March 26, 2017 www.stmaryparishsacramento.com Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 am-4:00 pm The L is my shepherd; I shall not want. Phone (916) 452-0296 • Fax (916) 452-3908 — Psalm 23:1

PARISH INFORMATION MASS SCHEDULE MARRIAGE: Contact the Parish office at (916) 452- 0296 6 months to the wedding date. Marriage Sunday 8:00, 9:30, 11:00am, and 6:00pm preparation classes are available. Daily Mass: Monday - Saturday 8:00am; INFANT : Contact the Parish Office. Saturday 5:00pm (Vigil Mass) Parents and godparents must attend class. Holy Days: As announced in bulletin ANOINTING OF THE SICK: Contact the Parish : Saturday: 3:30pm-4:30pm Office regarding sick, elderly who are at home, hospitals or Or by appointment special care facilities. PASTOR: Fr. James Narithookil, CMI MUSIC: For Music Ministry, call Ben (916) 383-6155 [email protected] RCIA: Process for adults and children of catechetical PAROCHIAL VICAR : Fr. Jossy Vattothu, CMI age who are interested in joining the Church and [email protected] baptized Catholics wanting to complete their initiation Luigi Del Gaudio, MSW sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. Please call Deacon George W. Kriske Deacon Lu at (916) 452-0296 x12 BUSINESS MANAGER: Tracilyn Peters CFF: Catholic youth are formed through the Parish Email: [email protected] Formation Program (CFF). Deacon Lu (916) 452- INFANT MARY CHAPEL 0296 x12. Open Daily 6:30 am-5:00 pm BULLETIN: Our church bulletin is prepared two Solemn Adoration: First Fridays 8:30 am-6:00 pm weeks in advance. All submissions are reviewed by the Pastor. Email requests to FOLLOW OUR PARISH [email protected] no later than the Thursday two weeks before. PARISHIONER REGISTRATION: Please contact parish office at (916) 452-0296

Pope Francis' message for Lent 2017 (continued)

3. The Word is a gift. We too see what happens in the afterlife. There the rich man speaks at length with Abraham, whom he calls “father” (Lk 16:24.27), as a sign that he belongs to God’s people. This detail makes his life appear all the more contradictory, for until this moment there had been no men- tion of his relation to God. In fact, there was no place for God in his life. His only god was himself.

The rich man recognizes Lazarus only amid the torments of the afterlife. He wants the poor man to alleviate his suffering with a drop of water. What he asks of Lazarus is similar to what he could have done but never did. Abraham tells him: “During your life you had your fill of good things, just as Lazarus had his fill of bad. Now he is being comforted here while you are in agony” (v. 25). In the afterlife, a kind of fairness is restored and life’s evils are balanced by good.

The parable goes on to offer a message for all Christians. The rich man asks Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his brothers, who are still alive. But Abraham answers: “They have Moses and the prophets, let them listen to them” (v. 29). Countering the rich man’s objections, he adds: “If they will not listen either to Moses or to the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone should rise from the dead” (v. 31).

The rich man’s real problem thus comes to the fore. At the root of all his ills was the failure to heed God’s word. As a result, he no longer loved God and grew to despise his neighbor. The word of God is alive and powerful, capable of converting hearts and leading them back to God. When we close our heart to the gift of God’s word, we end up closing our heart to the gift of our brothers and sisters.

Dear friends, Lent is the favorable season for renewing our encounter with Christ, living in his word, in the sacraments and in our neighbor. The Lord, who overcame the deceptions of the Tempter during the forty days in the desert, shows us the path we must take. May the lead us on a true journey of conversion, so that we can rediscover the gift of God’s word, be purified of the sin that blinds us, and serve Christ present in our brothers and sisters in need. I encourage all the faithful to express this spiritual renewal also by sharing in the Len- ten Campaigns promoted by many Church organizations in different parts of the world, and thus to favor the culture of encounter in our one human family. Let us pray for one another so that, by sharing in the victory of Christ, we may open our doors to the weak and poor. Then we will be able to experience and share to the full the joy of Easter.

Fr. James Narithookil, CMI—Pastor

We Welcome the Following New Parishioners To Our Parish Family: Mass Intentions Requested By Saturday, March 25 8:00am John & Sharon Muzio 5:00pm Juanita Corcoran + Ramona Bugatto Richard Benitez Richard Calonder + Don & Cathie Agostinelli Jonathan, Melina & Aria Weir Micke Ayala Sunday, March 26 8:00am Mary Ackerman + Caroline Pearson We encourage all new parishioners to Harold & Peter Hill + Betty Hill take a moment to register. 9:30am Mario Affinito + Nancy Affinito Luz Ebling + Lia Puccinelli CHILDREN OF THE LIGHT The future king, David, in today’s first reading, is an ex- 11:00am Don Dali + Wife ample of a type of character present throughout the He- Frank Bonilla + Irene Carruthers brew scriptures. He is the child born out of place (not the eldest or most favored) who ends up receiving the promise 6:00pm For our Parishioners and their Prayer Requests of the covenant. The spirit of God’s anointing rushes upon him. In this way, he is similar to the man born blind from Monday, March 27 today’s Gospel. David’s family and the blind man’s com- 8:00am Roberta Bush + Susan Carmona munity did not expect the miraculous grace of God’s love Bob Zielke + Sam & Carol Perri to work through them. Perhaps they, too, were “blinded” by the expectations and assumptions of those around them. Tuesday, March 28 Yet, after being touched by God, they both came to “see” 8:00am Bob Zielke + Joe & Grace Williams the presence of God’s will for them. Both became messen- Josephine LoVerde + Agnes Costa gers of God’s will. That same Spirit of God’s anointing rushed upon us at our baptism; we were given a candle as a Wednesday, March 29 sign of our membership in the Body of Christ, the Light 8:00am Bob Zielke + Tracilyn Peters from Light. Our vocation, then, is to fulfill that enlighten- Louis Anthony Arnaudo + Wife ment, that anointing, as Ephesians tells us, by living as “children of the light.” Thursday, March 30 8:00am Mario Affinito + Nancy Affinito OUR MISSION STATEMENT Ray Blumenschein + Jim & Ginny Johnson St. Mary Parish prepares and sustains its members and guests for a life and eternity in the presence of God. Friday, March 31 In accomplishing our mission, we proclaim and 8:00am Barbara Carvalho-Lehmann Mary Kassis celebrate our through Jesus Christ enlivened by the Holy Spirit, nourish our sacramental life Saturday, April 1 especially in the Sunday celebration of the Eucharist and 8:00am Ersilia Orsi + Gloria Gabrielli demonstrate our faith worshiping, educating, serving and encouraging vocations 5:00pm Robert & David Zarick + Joan Zarick as modeled by Mother Mary. Mary Thearl & Mike Carvalho + Cathie Carvalho

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Sunday, April 2 Monday: Is 65:17-21; Ps 30:2, 4-6, 11-13b; Jn 4:43-54 8:00am Joseph, Mary, Anthony & Robert DeStefano + Angelo J. DeStefano Tuesday: Ez 47:1-9, 12; Ps 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9; Jn 5:1-16 Raymond Clemons + Wife Wednesday: Is 49:8-15; Ps 145:8-9, 13cd-14, 17-18; Jn 5:17-30 9:30am Mario Affinito + Nancy Affinito Thursday: Ex 32:7-14; Ps 106:19-23; Jn 5:31-47 Daniel Torres + Torres Family Friday: Wis 2:1a, 12-22; Ps 34:17-21, 23; Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30 11:00am Frank DeLauer + Al DeMinico Family Saturday: Jer 11:18-20; Ps 7:2-3, 9bc-12; Jn 7:40-53 Brian Paul + Debbie Rojas Sunday: Ez 37:12-14; Ps 130:1-8; Rom 8:8-11; Jn 11:1-45 [3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45] 6:00pm For our Parishioners and their Prayer Requests Prayer Request Group The Prayer Request Group continues to meet every week. If you would like us to pray for you or a loved one, please place a written request in a Prayer Request box on one of the tables in the vestibule. You are also welcome to join us any Monday 6:30 pm in the church. Please note that we will not meet March 20th due to the Parish Mission that evening. Thank you.

Lenten Soup Meal & Stations of the Cross Special Collection for Please join us every Friday during lent from 5:30pm- This week, we are taking up The Catholic Relief 6:30pm for our Lenten Soup Meal in Giovani Hall Services Collection to respond to Jesus in disguise. This followed by Stations of the Cross at 6:30pm in the collection helps six Catholic agencies to provide relief and Church. Thank you to the following ministries who have support to struggling communities and to work toward agreed to host the Lenten Soup Meals. peace and reconciliation among our marginalized brothers and sisters here and around the world. Please prayerfully March 31—Bereavement & Loving Hearts Ministries consider how you can support the collection. Learn more April 7—St. Mary School at www.usccb.org/catholic-relief.

Married Couples St. Mary Pier Group (Young Adults) The Pier Group at Mary Parish is for adults between Have you ever wanted to take a fresh look at your 18-39 years of age. We have monthly events and hope to Marriage? Please consider making a Worldwide Marriage return to weekly meetings with more interest. Please Encounter Weekend and you will find ways to enrich your follow us on Facebook at Pier Group Sacramento or marriage. It is a unique approach aimed at @stmaryparishyouthministries for young adult events. revitalizing your Sacrament of Matrimony. Upcoming weekends are as follows: March 31-April 2, 2017 in We strive to incorporate verse reflection and prayer Reno, NV.; August 25-27, 2017 in Sacramento; October 6 with social and community service events. Our group is -8, 2017 in Reno, NV.; and November 3-5, 2017 in growing and we hope to see you there. Contact Daniel Sacramento. IT IS NOT TOO EARLY TO REGISTER Rossi or Monika Lopez at [email protected] or FOR A WEEKEND THAT YOU WILL NEVER FOR- 916-502-3199 for more information. GET. For more information visit our website at: https://www.sacramentowwme.org or contact Terry & OF SACRAMENTO Janet at [email protected] or Office of Worship (916) 489-3464.

Flu season is here. If you are sick, or think you might be The Catholic’s Divorce Survival Guide sick, or are concerned about contracting an illness, you April 5, 2017, 6:00pm – 8:00pm should refrain from receiving the Blood of Christ. Be as- sured that “since Christ is sacramentally present under each Holy Parish, El Dorado Hills of the species, communion under the species of bread alone makes it possible to receive all the fruit of Eucharistic Is divorce or separation an issue in your life? Grace.” [Catechism, 1390] Join Holy Trinity parishioners Teresa Greenman and Patrick Cummings for The Catholic’s Divorce Survival Music Ministry . . “We’re just one of you” Guide ministry (for those divorced or facing divorce). Teresa and Pat will facilitate this 7 week class at Holy In January, our choirs gathered for a meal. Maybe you Trinity Parish in El Dorado Hills starting Wednesday recognize some of them. We pray with you on Sundays, April 5 from 6-8 PM. Find comfort and counsel consistent are members of St. Vincent de Paul, are Eucharistic with Catholic teachings. Experts in this DVD ministers & lectors, involved in “Loving Hearts” and series include some of the best and brightest teachers, “Bereavement” ministries and more. Join us. Get counselors and authors in Catholic media. Suggested $20 involved. If you would like more information about our donation covers workbook and snacks. RSVP to 3 choirs at St. Mary’s, contact Ben Billeci at 383-6155. [email protected] or 916-833-9460. Bible Study

People tell stories about how their parents in the 1950's would say "We're Catholics. We don't 3/26/17 Adult/Teens Catechumenate read the Bible." Kids Catechumenate Fortunately, since the Second Vatican Children’s Liturgy Council the Church Group Baptism has worked to change this misconception through several First Eucharist Retreat publications. "Dei Verbum" - "The Word of God," and a Catholic Schools Majorettes 1993 publication of the Pontifical Bible Commission ti- Pier Young Adult Group tled "The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church." 3/27/17 Divine Mercy Chaplet Children’s Inquiry These documents explain that the Bible is God's way of Adult Inquiry revealing himself to humanity, not only through the events EDGE in the history of God's people, "salvation history", but also Prayer Request Group in the words of the Bible itself. Catholics are urged to 3/28/17 School Confessions understand the Bible as "the word of God in human Daisy Troop 3123 language." The human authors used their literary skills, ideas and other talents in writing the pages of the Bible. Adult Recreational Basketball But while they were writing, God was acting in them so 3/29/17 Centering Prayer Group that what they wrote was exactly what He wanted them to CFF (Catholic Faith Formation) write. The human writers were "true authors" of Scripture, Choir Practice and so was God. " RCIA Lenten Meal Bible Study The Bible is considered by Catholics as one of the primary 3/30/17 CFCS Meet & Greet ways that we encounter God. St. Jerome reminds us that Toddler Storytime "Ignorance of Scripture, is ignorance of Christ." Thus the Choir Practice scriptures play an important role in the Mass. They are held high in the entrance processional, followed by the Neocatechumenal Way Liturgy of the Word where we listen and respond to God's 3/31/17 Divine Mercy Chaplet word. Even the prayers of the Mass come from the Old Lenten Soup Meal and New Testaments. Catholics can't avoid the Bible. It is Stations of the Cross a central part of worship, both on Sunday and weekdays. 4/1/17 Confessions Neocatechumenal Way Come and see how we are deepening our faith at the 4/2/17 Adult/Teens Catechumenate weekly Wednesday Bible Studies. The current study is the Kids Catechumenate Gospel of John. All are welcome! You can join anytime. Children’s Liturgy ICF #45 Meeting Contact Gwen Devereux Majorettes [email protected] Pier Young Adult Group 916-281-9353 Lifeteen THE GIFT OF TREASURE With gratitude for the gifts they have received, Parishioners and visitors made a joyful return to the Lord of the following:

March 19, 2016

Weekly Collection (including EOP) :$8,789.75* Weekly Goal (to cover expenses): $13,000.00

Please remember St. Mary’s, Questions for Catholics - your Spiritual Home, in your will.

*This amount only represents weekly Sunday Mass collections. Other sources of What does sin look like to you? income (i.e. donations, building fund, etc.) are not included in this number. TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION The church slowly developed customs of reserving some portion of the Eucharistic sacrifice for the sake of the dying. Today’s custom of placing this portion in a tabernacle for prayer and adoration by the faithful cannot be traced back much beyond the year 1,000, much to almost everyone’s surprise. There is simply no historical evidence of the Blessed Sacrament being present in a church for the purpose of having the faithful visit it or pray before it earlier in the church’s history. People did visit, of course, but the center of their attention was the altar, symbol of Christ’s sacrifice and the touchpoint between heaven and earth. Shrines and devotional altars abounded in medieval churches, but anything we might describe as a Blessed Sacrament chapel would be hard to find. Amazingly, the Eucharist was first kept in private houses HOLY HOUR—April 6 for the purpose of Holy Communion at home. As for There will be no Holy Hour on Thursday, April 6 church, the custom gradually developed of suspending a due to the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral. vessel shaped like a dove somewhere in the church, often over the altar. In the hovering bird, a few hosts, enough to satisfy the pastoral needs of the dying, would be se- Unplugged Retreat for 8th – 12th Graders creted. The would lower the dove on a pulley as Unplugged challenges high school teens to unplug from needed, but it wasn’t a focus of devotion by visitors to the distractions of the world and plug into their relation- the church. It was simply a way of reassuring ship with God. Join us for a day of prayer, food, wisdom, who were nervous about safeguarding the Eucharist. The reflection, and fun on April 8, 2017 from 1pm – 9pm at St. dove solution caught on in England and after Clare Church in Roseville. Cost is only $8 per person. 1 Crusaders came in contact with the custom in their trav- chaperone required for every 10 students. RSVP to els in the Orthodox East. Lourdes Ramirez at [email protected]. This retreat is —Rev. James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. co-sponsored by the Diocese of Sacramento and CRS.

Lenten Social Media Challenge Fast, Pray and Give with the Diocese of Sacramento The Diocese of Sacramento’s Lenten Social Media Challenge is underway! Follow the Diocese on your favorite social media channel today to join the challenge: Facebook Diocese of Sacramento; Instagram @DioceseSacramento; Twitter @saccatholic Ministry Days 2017 Looking for practical advice or to be re-inspired in your ministry? SAVE THE DATE for the Diocese of Sacramento’s Ministry Days 2017! Join us on September 29 and 30 at St. Francis High School. Anyone involved in ministry or with the desire to enter into ministry is invited and encouraged to come! Altar Server Olympics On April 29, 2017, the Altar Server Olympics is coming to Trinity Pines Catholic Center in Colfax from 1:00 – 6:00pm, teams hailing from all parts of the Diocese will be competing for the title of Altar Server Olympic champions. The day is a great opportunity to participate in a fun and friendly competition. NEW this year the Altar Server Olympics is open to Servers in 4th - 12th grade with two separate age divisions. Division A is for all 7th - 12th grade Altar Servers and Division B is for 4th - 6th grade Altar Server. For more information and to register, please go to www.altarserverolympics.com or contact Jen Campbell at 916-733-0135. is having a movie night! Join us in watching the award winning movie The Way. Snacks and drinks will be provided. Feel free to bring blankets or pillows to chill on. Please text or email Life Teen Leader Megan Pedersen if you're planning on coming so she can get enough snacks. See you on April 2nd at 7pm in Giovanni Hall! (916) 549-3503 [email protected]

Summer School starts June 5th Our EDGE Middle School Ministry for 6th, 7th & 8th at St. Mary and registration will Grade students will meet Monday March 27th at 6:45 PM in Giovanni Hall. We will continue our Lenten meetings open April 1. with a Taizé prayer. Taizé (pronounced tuh-ZAY) is a small village in western France where there is an ecumeni- Also, we are doing a Vacation cal community of , Protestant, and Ortho- Bible Camp. dox brothers. The brothers of Taizé have developed a unique form of prayer and meditation using music, read- June 5-9 will be Creator Work- ings and silence. Parents are welcome to come and share shop: Grades 1-5 from 8:30- this deeply moving experience with us. Hope to see you there. If you have any questions, please call Mary Willett noon . Kids will venture through at 916-715-0122. Genesis. St. Mary Parish Youth & June 12-16 will be Voyage Young Adult Ministries St. Mary Parish has three Youth & Young Adult Minis- through the Parables: Grades 1 tries. The EDGE program is open to youth in grades 6 -5 from 8:30-noon. through 8. Life Teen is a program open to high school students. St. Mary Pier Group is open to young adults Both weeks will take place at from the ages of 18 through 39. The 6pm mass on the first Sunday of each month has been designated as our Youth St. Mary and registration & Young Adult Ministries Mass. If you have not had an begins on April 1. opportunity to attend this mass, we strongly encourage you to attend and, especially, to become involved. The next Youth & Young Adult Mass will be next Sunday, April 2 Youth on a Mission at 6pm. The next Edge meeting will be on Monday, Do you know a teen in your parish that has what it takes March 27 at 6:45pm in Giovanni Hall. For information to be a great leader? Challenge them to take their Catholic please contact Mary Willett at 916-715-0122. The next Faith to the next level with Youth On A Mission. Our 4 Life Teen meeting will be on Sunday, April 2, after the day program offers discipleship training – meaningful 6pm Mass in Giovanni Hall. For information please con- prayer experiences, inspiring talks, practical skills, and an tact Megan Pedersen at [email protected]. The opportunity to connect with on fire Catholic youth from Pier Group meets WEEKLY following 6pm Mass in the all over Northern California. We want youth to have a Holy Spouses Room. For information please contact profound encounter with Jesus and equip them with the Monika Lopez at skills to share that experience as a leader in your parish. 916-502-3199. This is the youth training you’ve been waiting for. Challenge your future leaders with Youth on A Mission this summer July 20-23, 2017 at Cal Maritime Academy in Vallejo, CA. Registration information and more infor- mation available online at www.norcalcatholicyouth.com.

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