HOLY COMFORTER MARCH 15, 2015

SAINTS TO REMEMBER THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR

SATURDAY (3/14) MARCH 14 – St. Maximillian 8 AM– MASS 15 – St. Louise de Marillac 3:30 - 4:30 PM: Reconciliation 16 – St. Clement Mary Hofbauer 5 PM – Vigil MASS 17 – St. Patrick SUNDAY (3/15) 18 – St. Cyril of Jerusalem 7 - 7:45 AM: Reconciliation 19 – Solemnity of St. Joseph 8:30 AM – MASS 20 – St. Salvator of Horta 9:45 – 10:45 AM: Christian Formation Classes 21 - Blessed John of Parma 9:45 – 10:45 AM: 1st Reconciliation Class [Chapel] 11 AM - MASS 22 - St. MONDAY (3/16) MASS INTENTIONS NOON –MASS

TUESDAY (3/17) Saturday, March 14 10 AM – NOON: Food Pantry 5 PM – Thomas O’Rourke (Stacy Cooper) NOON –MASS

Sunday, March 15 WEDNESDAY (3/18) 8:30 AM – Members of the Parish 10 AM – NOON: Food Pantry 11 AM – Ann Nice (Kathy Cozzi) NOON –MASS

Monday, March 16 NOON - AA Meeting 12 PM – Leaders of HC and Fr. Joseph Mary (Dominique Faust) 6 PM - Medjugorie Rosary Prayer Group 7 – 8:30 PM: Choir Practice Tuesday, March 17 12 PM – Jean Carol O’Connell (Lori Steinocher) THURSDAY (3/19) 8 AM –MASS Wednesday, March 18 NOON - 1 PM: Soup Kitchen 12 PM – Parishioners of Holy Comforter (Dominique Faust) FRIDAY (3/20) Saturday, March 21 8 AM - MASS 5 PM – Donald Curtis (Judy & Bill Harmon) 10 AM – NOON: Food Pantry

Sunday, March 22 NOON - AA Meeting 8:30 AM –Jimmy Wallace (The Allen Family) 6:30 PM: Stations of the Cross

11 AM – Members of the Parish SATURDAY (3/21)

8 AM– MASS PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR ______3:30 - 4:30 PM: Reconciliation 5 PM – Vigil MASS

Parishioners: Frank Pologruto, Al Bracuti, Norman Bednarcyk, SUNDAY (3/22) Nicholas Sisman, Mary Ann Williams, Rose Bowker, Hermann 7 - 7:45 AM: Reconciliation Ortmann, Katherine Russo, Al Shotwell, and Dawn Aberg. 8:30 AM – MASS 9:45 – 10:45 AM: Christian Formation Classes Friends And Relatives: Josephine Nampijja, Gloria Aberg, Grace 9:45 – 10:45 AM: 1st Reconciliation Class [Chapel] Dawn Wicke, Melyssa Dove, Nicole Carpenter, Beth Mauk, Evan 11 AM - MASS Dotas, Dave Halley, Cullen McQuhae, Bill & Marie Jones, Christine Bentéjac, David Rumpf, Mrs. Jessica Viglietta, Pam D. Goines, Charlie Previtali, Jessica Viglietta, Nicole Shaw, Jean Gifts for God Clayton, Rich Hawkins, Grace R. Salvetti, Kimberly Hasenfus Offertory – February 28/ March 1: $6,533 Hulick, Kristin Fagan, June Atherton, Natalie Potter, Harper Justice & Peace: $529 Grace, J. Sloan, Paul Hillard, Dale Evans, Marie Johnston, Easter Flowers: $215 Suzanne Lank, Stanley Lank, Diane Schmidt, Earl Scheetz, Shirley Health Wagon: $1,087 O’Rourke, Bob Spann, Xavier Van Bastelaer, Mary Griffin, Makala Thomas, Sibylle Llewellyn, Duncan Nixon, John Patrick ~~~~~~~~ Dennison, Christine Russo Carpenter, Lisa Light, Elaine Roberti, Offertory – March 7/8: $6,060 Benedict Pax, Jerry Colgate, Timothy Lee Smith, Gabriela Catholic Virginian: $13 Sabatino, Ned Foss & Jennifer Rinehart, Janet Dunham, Susie Outreach: $2,268 Jackson, Fr. Michael Hann, and Fr. Joseph Torretto. Justice & Peace - $200

Military: Brian Fagan, Jamie Torbet, Mike Eiermann, David Easter Flowers: $412 Alvey, Charles G. Ellison, Eric Emmott, and Matthew Mickiewicz. Poor Box: $158

HOLY COMFORTER CATHOLIC CHURCH MARCH 15, 2015

PARISH NEWS KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS FATHER LOUIS A. ROWEN COUNCIL 3670

NEW PARISHIONERS: Jessica Stewart, Dominic DeVito, Ronald & Sylvia Davis, and Gabriela Zabalua Meeting - March 16th: The next Knights of Columbus meeting

ANNIVERSARIES: will be Monday night, March 16 in the conference room at February 12, 1961: Frank & Jeanette McCarthy Church of the Incarnation. Please note the change in location. The rosary begins at 6:30 with the meeting to follow. There will RECENT WEDDINGS: be food and drinks at the end of the meeting. All Brother Knights March 7, 2015: Megan Lacy & Kellen Dwyer are welcome and encouraged to attend. March 8, 2015: Victoria McNamee & Brendon Lill March 14, 2015: Jennifer Ramacciotti & Michael Omegna Lenten Soup Supper: The Knights of Columbus will host a th Lenten Soup Supper this Friday night, March 13 at 5:30 PM in UPCOMING WEDDINGS: the basement at Holy Comforter. Please join us for soup, bread, May 16, 2015: Grace Rinehart & Matthew Semanik refreshments, and fellowship. A free-will offering will be May 24, 2015: Bridget Mason & Jordan Musselman received with gratitude. Stations of the Cross will follow the June 13, 2015: Anne Rowell & Mikael Horissian supper at 6:30 PM. Please join us for this Lenten gathering. June 27, 2015: Jessica Zareno & Gerrit “Kees” Boogaart June 28, 2015: Jessica Stewart & Dominic DeVito Ultrasound: Knights of Columbus Council 3670 is spearheading an initiative to buy a new ultrasound machine for the Pregnancy Centers of Central Virginia to replace out-of-date technology at NEXT WEEKEND’S READINGS their downtown Charlottesville location. Please support the FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT amazing pro-life work of the Pregnancy Centers to save lives in First Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34 our community. More information is online at The Lord comforted his people, who were exiled to www.virginiapregnancy.org. To donate, send a check made out Babylon, by telling them of the new covenant he planned to "K of C Council 3670" with "Ultrasound Initiative" in the to make with them. The Lord declared he would write his memo line to: Knights of Columbus Council 3670, POB 7251, Cville, VA 22906. law upon their hearts, and that he would forgive their evil and forget the sins they had committed in the past. STATIONS OF THE CROSS Second Reading: Hebrews 5:7-9 The weekly Stations of the Cross led by Fr. Joseph Mary are on Though God could have heeded his Son’s prayers and Friday at 6:30 PM. Weekly needs are a Cross Bearer and two spared him suffering, Jesus accepted his Fathers will. candle bearers. Families are urged to volunteer. Training will Through his suffering, he learned obedience and became be provided. Total time involved is less than one hour. A sign- the source of eternal salvation for all people. up sheet is on the credenza. Gospel: John 12:20-33

Jesus was afraid of the suffering he knew he must face. Yet he explained just as a grain of wheat must die to be NEWS FROM HAITI harvested, he had to face his hour of suffering to glorify his Anne Knasel (STA): [email protected] Father’s name. Jesus explained that once he was lifted Ginny Zeller (HC): [email protected] from earth, he could draw all people to himself, lifting www.saltadere.org them to eternal life.

Travelers to Haiti: This week welcome back the CSM students JUSTICE & PEACE [Daniel, Kirsten, Meron, Maria and Jennifer], Father Stephen, and Bob Fromm who are returning from St. Michel parish today. To learn more about their trip and our twin parish, plan to Many local stores donate food items to our outreach program-- attend a presentation on the trip served with Haiti beans & rice things like meat and baked goods. These are of course MOST for the Knights of Columbus soup supper on March 20 @ STA. WELCOME. But there's more to outreach than these. What canned goods could your family donate? Could you purchase St. Michel Needs Update: We have received requests from some toilet articles? Chances are if it's something your family Father Ilric for a printer for use at the school—cost $400 and for uses, a local needy family could use it too. repairs to the rectory generator - cost $1000. If you can help with these extra expenses, use the green envelope in the packet and mark for Haiti or visit the Haiti table. PLEASE NOTIFY THE PARISH OFFICE OF ALL MAILING ADDRESS Bi-Parish Haiti Committee: The committee’s next meeting is CHANGES/CORRECTIONS - WHETHER THEY ARE PERMANENT OR March 22nd at St. Thomas Aquinas at 1 PM in the Library TEMPORARY CHANGES - AND THE CORRESPONDING DATES THAT room. All are welcome. To learn about the committee, you can e-mail Anne Knasel or Ginny Zeller. Contact us to join our email APPLY TO THESE CHANGES. THANK YOU. update list. Also visit www.saltadere.org.

HOLY COMFORTER CATHOLIC CHURCH MARCH 15, 2015

Medjugorje Rosary Prayer Group: Lent is here. What better WEEKLY COLLECTION way to prepare for Easter than to pray the rosary during this The First Collection each week supports the spiritual and physical Lenten Season. Come join us at 6 PM in the Chapel every operations of our parish and is vital for our continued growth. Wednesday. Please be as generous as your means allow. Our Blessed Mothers message given to Ivan on February 23, 2015, "… I desire to call you, in this time of grace which is Parishioners sometimes ask about the various methods of coming, pray more in your families. Renew prayer in your contributing money to Holy Comforter. Of course, the envelope families. Especially pray, dear children with the children ..." system with your check or cash is tried and true. We are noticing The history of the Rosary - Section 8 - The prayers of the more parishioners are instructing their bank (via web “bill pay” Rosarium were later broken out into sets of 10 and these groups and similar services) to automatically send a fixed amount to the became known as decades. Each decade of ten "Hail Mary" church every week or once a month. We certainly record the prayers would be preceded by one "Our Father”. donor information on these automatic checks for the annual tax deduction letter. Women’s Cursillo Retreat Weekend April 23-26: Catholic Women, spend an inspiring long weekend with God and other Also, some parishioners donate stock periodically as this has women who want to deepen their relationship with God and extra tax benefits for donors. For this it is important that the enrich the way you live out your faith each and every day. The donor contact the parish office so that proper procedures are engaging weekend, to be held at Camp Overlook near followed and the donor gets the correct tax deduction. Harrisonburg, will be led by a team of lay Catholic women who In the near future we will be investigating the use of direct debit are active with Valley Cursillo, along with Fr. Dan Bain and Ms. from your checking account, the ability to use a credit card, and Patty Huffman participating as spiritual directors. Mass and the capacity to incorporate online giving for donations as well. prayer will be held each day, along with engaging talks on Please let us know if any of these would interest you by emailing specific issues of Catholic Christian living. Cost is $60 (donations us at [email protected]. will be accepted at the end of the weekend to allow others to

go on a Cursillo Weekend). For information and downloadable applications, visit the Valley Cursillo website at CHARLOTTESVILLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL www.valleycursillo.com or call Rob & Ann Michel at 978-3954. www.cvillecatholic.org Marriage Encounter Weekend: Today’s gospel says “But

whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may 19th Annual Gala Auction: We welcome everyone to attend the be clearly seen as done in God”. Let your marriage live in truth Auction at the Boar’s Head Inn on March 21st to benefit CCS. and works through God. The next Worldwide Marriage Registration for tickets is open through Sunday, and more Encounter Weekends are 17-19 Apr in Fredericksburg or 26-28 information can be found on the CCS website. The evening of live Jun in Richmond. For more information or to apply, visit our and silent auctions combined with gourmet dining and website at www.renewmarriage-vasouth.org or contact us at entertainment will prove to be another exciting evening, all while [email protected] or 757-483-3209. benefiting the education of and tuition assistance for our students! IMPACT Assembly, March 23 at Incarnation: It's time for the For questions or assistance, please contact Ashley Nelson at 434- IMPACT Annual Assembly, the meeting at the Church of the 964-0400 or [email protected]. Incarnation where we will learn what the proposal will be for the assistance for incarcerated women. If you've attended ADDITIONAL ITEMS OF INTEREST before, you will remember that this is sort of a 'pep rally' that will inspire us to get ourselves and our THREE PEOPLE to the

Lighthouse Media: New arrivals continue to come in. Take a few Nehemiah Action on April 30 at the John Paul Jones Arena. You minutes to check out the many new CD's and books. Keep Holy will receive tickets that night to distribute to friends, family and the Sabbath (CD) by Dr. Timothy Gray. Dr. Timothy Gray is the parishioners. These serve as reminders and to make counting president of the Augustine Institute and is a well-known Scripture the crowd oh, so easy. scholar and Catholic Speaker. Dr. Gray discusses the profound Holy Comforter did really well last year and we hope to have importance for individuals and for modern society of properly 125+ representatives there again this year. Also as usual, the observing Sunday as the Lord's Day by exploring God's gift of the Holy Comforter IMPACT Team invites you and your family to a Sabbath in the Old Testament. Dr. Gray helps us to reclaim our parish dinner prior to the event. Chicken, eggplant parmesan, Sunday from the hustle and bustle of our busy lives. green beans and salad will be served at 5:30 PM. For planning purposes we'd love to know if you can join us. Please send an Vocations Chalice Program: Francis has dedicated 2015 to email to [email protected] if you are able to attend the a "Year of Consecrated Life". As part of your response to the dinner at 5:30 PM. The meeting begins at 6:30 PM and will finish Pope's call, you are encouraged to sign up for the Vocations at 8 PM. Chalice. It can only take 5 to 10 minutes a day to pray for lifelong vocations in front of the beautiful consecrated Chalice. Without Volunteers Needed: The Parish office is looking for volunteers priests, deacons, religious vocations, marriage vocations, single on Tuesday and Thursday from 9 AM to 12 PM and from 12 PM vocations, where would our blessed Catholic Church be? What to 3 PM. Volunteers mainly greet visitors and answer any phone could be easier than to sign up on the calendar on the calls. Please call the office at 295-7185 if you are interested. credenza? Instructions are attached to the clip board. Free WiFi!!!!

HOLY COMFORTER CATHOLIC CHURCH MARCH 8, 2015

FROM THE PASTOR LENT OUR JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM CONTINUED

"Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man shall be accomplished.” Lk. 18:31

The greatest thing for us to remember is that we go up to Jerusalem to fulfill God’s purpose, not our own. In the natural life our ambitions are our own, but in the Christian life we have no goals of our own. We talk so much today about our decisions for Christ, our determination to be Christians, and our decisions for this and that, but in the entire Bible the only aspect that is brought out is the compelling purpose of God. “Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, 'My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure”(Is. 46:10) and “You did not choose Me, but I chose you …”( Jn. 15:16). We have no idea what God’s goal may be; as we continue, His purpose becomes even more and more vague. God’s aim appears to have missed the mark, because we are too short-sighted to see the target at which He is aiming. At the beginning of the Christian life, we have our own ideas as to what God’s purpose is. We say, “God means for me to go over there,” and, “God has called me to do this special work.” We do what we think is right, and yet the compelling purpose of God remains upon us. The work we do is of no account when compared with the compelling purpose of God. The one who leads the way to Jerusalem says; “I came down from heaven not to do My own will, but the will of Him that sent Me (Jn.6:38). Every time we repeat the Lord's Prayer, praying to the Father, “thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”, our intention is to do what we say with our lips, surprisingly we ignorantly proceed to do our own wills, hoping we are somehow pleasing to the Father. However to profit from this Journey to Jerusalem, we need to watch and listen to the Master. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many”. The Son of Man, He Who would one day enter into God’s presence to receive the dominion and the power and the glory, and would return to earth in power and great glory, had come on earth to serve to do the will of the Father. He Who should have been served by all, had made Himself the servant of all. He had deliberately humbled Himself. He was truly God’s Servant. He was here to do the Father’s will and would do anything for those whom the Father had given Him. His aim and purpose will always be the good of all. He does not want the dominion for Himself but so that He can use it for the good of all. There will never be any thought for Himself. It was for this that He became man. In carrying out the purpose of the Father in service, there is some pain there is suffering. 1 Peter 3:17 says: “For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.”For the true disciple there is no choice but to just keep following Jesus through the darkness, though you can’t see Him or where He is going. It may be best that you don’t know. Just follow. Whether you follow well or badly, just follow. We may have to descend into Hell with Him, again, and again, but if we remain with Him, Easter is assured. There may be a temptation to throw in the towel, and give up, but then what? If like St. Peter you can genuinely ask; where else are we to go Lord? You have the words of Eternal Life, then you know the Darkest Night of Suffering with Jesus is much better than a good day without Him. “Better one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere”. (Ps. 84:10) Persevere! Endure! Better to suffer with Christ than rejoice without Him, for without Him all is foolishness there is nothing to rejoice over. There is nowhere else to go but horror; suicide is out of the question for any Christian. It doesn’t work. With Him is always life and hope and the Great Adventure of Redemption, Salvation and rescue. We must cling to Him and refuse to let go. Being without Christ is the worst thing that can happen to us. The will of God is that you be with Him forever in Paradise. So we stick with Him now through the worst trials on this journey and by His grace we survive every obstacle. TO BE CONTINUED