St. Perpetua Church

Celebrating our Faith Enriching our Community Sharing our Gifts

Eucharist Daily Mass Monday-Thursday, 8:30 am (Chapel)

Weekend Liturgies Saturday 5:00 pm Sunday 8:00, 9:30 & 11:30 am Holy Days 8:30 am, 7:00 pm

Reconciliation Saturday 4:00-4:30 pm or by appointment

Baptism Contact the Parish Office for Sacramental Preparation and Baptismal date.

Marriage Contact the Parish Office at least six months prior to anticipated wedding date for sacramental preparation.

Homebound, ill or Infirm Contact the Parish Office if you, need to receive communion or Anointing of the Sick at home or in the hospital.

Assisted listening devices available 3454 Hamlin Road, Lafayette, CA 94549 St. Perpetua School Phone (925) 283-0272 Fax (925) 283-6534 Contact the school office for enrollment (TK-8) and www.stperpetua.org After School Program. Tours by appointment call Parish Office Hours 284-1640 or [email protected]. Monday—Friday 7:30 am—4:00 pm Parish Staff Dear Parishioners,

Reverend John Kasper, OSFS Catholic publications have been reflecting on the five-year anniversary of Pope Francis Pastor as the 266th pope and the first Jesuit, the first from the Americas and the Southern [email protected] Hemisphere, and the first from outside Europe since the 8th century. His is a landmark x202 papacy which has received high marks from Catholics and non-Catholics alike. At the same time, his agenda for reform has not been overwhelmingly received by much of the Christoph Nauer Pastoral Associate Curia in Rome and many Synods of Bishops throughout the world, including our own [email protected] American hierarchy. For some, Pope Francis’ agenda is too progressive. For others, he is X203 “politically naïve.” However, for the majority of laity and non-Catholics alike, he represents the Christian message of love and humility embodied in Jesus, and stands as Wendy Levich Business Manager one of, if not the most, respected world leaders. If you have not read the two [email protected] groundbreaking works of Pope Francis’ -- Laudato si’—on the care of the planet and x207 Amoris Laetitia – which is his “magna carta” and blueprint for his papacy, they are extremely readable, inspirational and available on the Vatican website: vatican.va. The Kristine Kvochak following assessment of Pope Francis’ first five years in office is from the website “The Director of Faith Formation [email protected] Jesuit Post” by Bill McCormick, SJ. x204 A hundred years from now, Pope Francis may well be best-remembered for Amoris Laetitia. But in Gary Guerrero Director of Youth Ministry and the midst of the controversies it has sparked about reception of Communion by divorced and Confirmation remarried Catholics, one can easily forget that Pope Francis has strengthened the Magisterium on [email protected] issues of ecology with Laudato si’. He has also been a doctor of mercy, a constant theme of his x208 teaching. Perhaps the controversy over Amoris Laetitia suggests ways in which his teaching on mercy

Jan Stegner requires deeper reception and further clarification. Three issues loom for Francis. Middle School Faith Formation Coordinator First, the issue of married priests. While Pope Francis has indicated no change to clerical [email protected] celibacy, many reports circulate that married priests will be a subject at the 2019 synod on the x206 Amazon – and that Pope Francis authorized that discussion. If the synod’s proposals for married Arlene Connors priests gain traction with Francis, one wonders if bishops in other priest-poor places will also start to Secretary explore this idea. [email protected] X201 Second, just peace. People of all stripes have been clamoring for some time for a definitive Donna Stoering statement from Pope Francis on peace and violence. Indeed, there has been talk of him replacing “just Music Ministry war” language with “just peace” theory. While Pope Francis is unlikely to jettison any ancient line of [email protected] Catholic thought, he clearly takes issues of peace very seriously. Look, therefore, for Francis to say

Sr. Laurel O’Neal, Er. Dio. something here. Pastoral Assistant www.notesfromstillsong.blogspot.com Finally, China. What will come of the Holy See’s attempt at rapprochement with China? Will

Karen Goodshaw this peace-making alleviate a very difficult situation for Catholics in China? There is no certain School Principal answer to this, as the Chinese Communist Party is one of the most opaque governance structures in [email protected] the world, and President Xi is building an autocracy with resources far outstripping those of 284-1640 Vladimir Putin. While not strictly a doctrinal issue, the Vatican’s relations with China raise practical questions about the freedom of the Church. For this episode to end well, Pope Francis might Suzanne Kozel School Office Manager need to commit personally his considerable diplomatic skills. Could he even go to China?

[email protected], 284-1640 What changes would you like to see forthcoming in the next years of Pope Francis’ Oscar Jovel leadership? Maintenance Manager Fr. John Kasper, OSFS [email protected] x214

Lorena Rojas, Housekeeping [email protected]

Knights of Columbus Ruben Galindo, [email protected]

A Note of Gratitude from Dwyn Gardner and her family

whose husband Bill was buried from St. Perpetua Church in January: Teens – Giving something up during Lent is not only about denial. Sacrifice helps us to prepare our hearts to be My family and I are grateful to Father John and the community transformed by clearing away bad habits and negative of St. Perpetua for the care and attention that was shown us at actions so that our hearts can be ready to receive God’s the funeral service for my husband Bill. Many family members love. During Lent we try to turn away from idols we have and friends commented on the warmth (not the heat!) of the put in God’s place and restore God to his rightful community -- the music and musicians, the atmosphere, the kind position—above everything else in our lives. remarks about Bill. I am proud of St. Perpetua, my parish, and understand why it is so well known in the East Bay for its Youth Ministry at St. Perpetua offers teens the outgoing spirit. I was so happy with the choice of music. One I opportunities to learn and demonstrate how to turn away chose was for Bill because of his love of flying -- “On Eagle's from sin and be faithful to the Gospel. We gather twice Wings,” and the beautiful Prayer of St. Francis (good anytime this week: and every day.) Thanks to the office staff, to Christoph and · Sunday, March 18 – Teen / Family Youth Mass Arlene Connors. Parish volunteers, Pat Fela and Mary · Sunday, March 18 – Confirmation Candidates gather Terjeson are delightful for the help they give in everything that as one group from 6:30pm to 8:15 in the Church. This happens at our church. With the closing hymn—I Am With You gathering focuses on our sacramental life. Always," I walked beside Father John and headed with my · Wednesday, March 21 – Seder Meal; 7:30 to 8:45 in family to the reception. Thank you for all of it. the RRC Dywn Gardner & Family

This week think about what obstacles are in your way right Legacy, and Lent now that keep you from a relationship with God, and from (reflections by a parishioner) living the Gospel message to love one another, and then take steps to turn that obstacle around. When our earthly pilgrimage is done…these forty days give us pause to reflect. Refugee Ministry Update – Hope Realized What is our legacy? What do we leave behind? But more, Setareh, Ashkan, and Rojin arrived and were greeted by St what do we want to leave behind? Perpetua parishioners on April 20, 2017. Thanks to your Are we the perfect, proud parents? Or do we hold a burden of support this year has been one of progress, growth, and a troubled child? Are we successful financiers of our opportunity. retirement? Or are we challenged by a difficult employer who As one Refugee Ministry team member observed, the released us short of tenured security? Have we fallen victim to family is “an example of how a refugee family given love disasters, of nature, of biology or just bad luck? Have we given and support along with their own determination can thrive our share to help the least of us? Or are we struggling just to in the U.S. and are a valuable part of our country.” keep ourselves afloat? When she started school, Rojin had a lot of catching up to Many of us look at our perfect, and then imperfect, lives and do and a language barrier to overcome. Wendy Levich and wonder. Maybe we think we know that the scorecard tips in Frances Wallace stepped in with weekly tutoring. Today, our favor, of more good than bad. But then maybe we worry Rojin’s teacher believes if she continues to progress at this that the imperfect and regrettable tip the scale in the opposite pace, Rojin will be at grade level by June. And with her direction. We look for assurance and forgiveness. rapid progress in English, Rojin will eventually obtain These forty days surely gave our Lord Jesus time to reflect on fluency in English, Turkish, Farsi, and Spanish (which she the end of his earthly journey, his legacy. is also learning at school). These forty days challenge us to put others before ourselves, Ashkan is working full time at Ace Hardware in Walnut no matter how full our plates are. Creek (thanks to a parishioner who offered a job) and These forty days challenge our generosity, whether or not we continues to deliver pizza in the evenings. Setareh found a feel we can afford to give. job as a nanny on care.com (thanks to another parishioner These forty days should ultimately remind us of the grace who recommended it) and is also teaching Farsi on bestowed us and the promise of lives beyond our earthly ones. Saturdays. And then, left with our questions, we find ourselves in our Ashkan and Setareh have already filed their 2017 income own desert looking for answers. tax return, and were delighted to receive a refund. Thanks All I know is that my answers are found in prayer. Prayers go to Jim Fulton for guiding them along this rite of for peace in forgiveness, for what I have done and what I failed passage. to do. Prayers to set my intention to be grateful, everyday and Your prayers, contributions, visits, dinners, and outings all with everyone, even the ones who trespassed against me. made a difference. Thank you for giving life to Christ’s If nothing else, I want that legacy of gratitude. words in Matthew 25: “When I was a stranger, you welcomed me…Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these brothers, you did it to me.” Palm Sunday and Holy Week Schedule This Week at St. Perpetua Palm Sunday Vigil, March 24 March 18—March 25 Saturday 5 p.m. Palm Sunday, March 25 Second Collection March 18 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. Facilities Maintenance Blessing of the Palms at All Masses Sunday Holy Thursday, March 29 Rise & Shine Mass, 9:30 am Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper Teen/Family Mass, 11:30 am 7:30 p.m. Confirmation, 6:30 pm, Church (No morning mass on holy Thursday) Monday Finance Council, 7:00 pm, Parish Office Good Friday, March 30 Centering Prayer, 7:15 pm, Chapel Stations of the Cross, 1:15 p.m. Tuesday The Lord’s Passion, 2:00 p.m. Faith Formation, 5:30 pm, RRC, School Small Faith, 7:00 pm, Parish Office Easter Vigil, March 31 Wednesday Saturday 8:00 p.m. (No 5 pm mass) Choir, 7:00 pm, RRC RCIA, 7:00 pm, Parish Office Easter Sunday, APRIL 1 Youth Group, 7:30 pm 8:00 Am. Mass at St. Perpetua Church Thursday 9:30 am. & 11:30 a.m. Mass at Stanley Middle School Construction Meeting, 9:15 am, RRC Easter Treats after the 9:30 am Mass Friday Saturday Small Faith, 10 am, Parish Office Palm Sunday Children’s Liturgy of the Word, 9:30 am Mass Faith Formation, 10:30 am, RRC/School Fifth Sunday of Lent Faith Formation, 6:00 pm, RRC/School Everybody clings to stuff. We cling to our mothers on the first day of kindergarten. We mark off our sacred chair, or crayon box, or the line of demarcation in our shared bedrooms. This is mine. Y ou’re not allowed to touch this, or Mass Intentions borrow that, or go beyond this point. Winter makes its mark on us. We pull our coats tighter, March 17—March 25 and tie our scarves close to our necks. The wind howls, the bare trees stand as silent witness to death. The earth, cold as Saturday 5:00 pm Sr. Katherine Byrne  iron, closes up and offers no hint of the miracle going on Sunday 8:00 am For the Community just underneath. 9:30 am Elinor Zappettini  The grain of wheat tries to cling too. Hidden in darkness 11:30 am Bryan Vierengel  and cold, it tries to hold on to its color and shape. The baby, Monday 8:30 am Kit Wiggins  safe and warm, clings to the womb. But oh, what wondrous Tuesday 8:30 am Barbara Johnson  life the Master Designer has encoded in us. The grain Wednesday 8:30 am Winnifred Juvik  breaks open—painful death! The baby pushes out of the Saturday 5:00 pm Barbara Martini  womb―terrifying! And then comes the Great Reveal: we Sunday 8:00 am For the Community were never meant to stay a grain of wheat, or a child in the 9:30 am Michael Hazlewood  womb. 11:30 am Herman Wyrsch  Staying where we are just doesn’t fit the pattern that God set up in order for us to thrive. That grain of wheat won’t feed the world if it’s allowed to cling. If seeds don’t die, then birds and insects and animals and humans can’t live. If TOGETHER WE PRAY FOR THE SICK a baby remains in the womb, mother and child will die. The Chris Fliflet, Elizabeth Cox, Jennifer Rosko, Giselle DNA God imprinted in us requires that we not hold on Contreras, Juanita Estrellas, Dennis Callahan, George forever. God has greater plans. Buonocore, Charlotte Cairney, Judy Russell, Karen We cling to this life because it’s all we know. And yet, Zapotowski, Orlando Portillo, Alex McLin, Fabricio season after season, God tells a different story. Keep your Mendoza, Anne Lagache, Karl Smida, Bruce Wood, Pat spring clothes handy. Resurrection is afoot. McGinnis, Mary Beth Metz, Steve Luna, Chris Bruzzone, Thomas Bond, Carol Farrell Raffa, Terry Osburn, Dylan What things in me have to die in order for me Cazin, Bryan Inderrieden, Chris Clogher, Irwin Mettler, to live more fully? 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