Forgiveness

 and Renewal Third Sunday of Lent Sunday, March 24, 2019 All are welcome!

WEEKEND MASSES

Saturday Masses 8:30am Mass (Morning Prayer and Benediction 8:10am)

Saturday Vigil Masses 5:30pm Missa em Português: 7:30pm

Sunday Masses 7:30am, 9:00am, 10:45am, 12:30 pm, 5:30pm Misa en Español: 2:00pm

WEEKDAY MASSES

Monday to Friday 7:30am and 12:15pm

First Friday Mass 7:30pm Third Friday Mass 7:30pm *Fourth Friday Mass 7:30pm *(en Español)

Reconciliation (Confession) Monday to Friday 11:30am - Noon Saturdays 10:00am and 4:00pm or upon request

Eucharistic Adoration Monday to Thursday 8:00am to 8:30pm Compline & Benediction

Friday 8:00am to Saturday 8:30am Mass

Morning Prayer Monday - Friday 7:10am Saturday 8:10am

Anointing of the Sick Every Second Saturday of the Month at 8:30am

Church Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm

Website: www.stpaulchurch.com

"Formed by Word and Sacrament, we, the people of St. Paul Catholic Church, Contact us at: are a Spirit-led, Eucharist-centered, vibrant multicultural Christian [email protected] community of faith, living our love for God and neighbor while growing together as disciples of Christ."

Page 2 Courageously Growing Together in Christ! My Friends, We’re here to serve you! On Monday we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. St. Paul Catholic Church While not a holy day of obligation, this mystery heralds one of the central 12708 N. Dale Mabry Hwy. mysteries of our faith – the incarnation of Jesus Tampa, Florida 33618-2802 Christ. St. Luke records the visit of the angel (813) 961-3023 Gabriel to a young girl named Mary. Her “fiat”

or yes to the invitation of God to be the www.stpaulchurch.com mother of our Savior continues to echo

Questions? Please send email to: through the ages. Likewise, God calls each of [email protected] us to be “God-bearers” by proclaiming through word and deed the Good News of God’s love and mercy. Clergy Fr. Bill Swengros Pastor One of the best ways to do that is to invite others to join you for this week’s Fr. George Gyasi Parochial Vicar Fr. Robert Romaine Parochial Vicar Lenten Mission with Father Larry Richards, Monday through Thursday Deacon Carlos Celaya RCIA beginning at 7:00pm. Fr. Larry is a dynamic speaker and founder of “The Deacon Ray Dever Mental Health Support Reason for Our Hope Foundation”. Fr. Larry promises two things: One, you Deacon Frank Henriquez Young Adult Ministry will never be bored and two, your life will be changed forever. Come and experience this truth for yourself and bring a friend! Faith Formation Carmen Cayon Director Maria Mendez Baptism and Monday night will focus on God’s love and practical information on how to FORMED® Coordinator pray. Tuesday will focus on the gift of the Mass and importance of family. On Sonia Eberhardt K-5 Faith Formation Wednesday, we will contemplate the Passion of Christ and forgiveness of our Coordinator, 1st Holy sins. Finally, on Thursday, Fr. Larry will offer a healing service and speak on Communion Prep new life of discipleship. Please be sure to come and bring a carload of people! Theresa Adams Middle School Minister (Confirmation) On another note, our parish would like to better serve those in our community Stephen Watkins High School Minister Maria Costa RCIA, Marriage Prep, who are experiencing mental health issues. To that end, the clergy and staff Adult Confirmation, would like to meet the mental health professionals registered in our parish. Quinceañeras The goal is for us to know when referrals should be made and to provide a Sr. Theresa Betz Spiritual Direction resource list of mental health professionals in our parish and their area of Silvia Rivera Religious Education expertise. If you are a psychiatrist, psychologist or counselor and would like to Assistant (Records) help us, please send me an email ([email protected]) with your contact

Preschool information and area of expertise. We’ll be scheduling a meeting after Easter. Abbie Johnson Director Mindy Geer Assistant Director After Mass, members of the Finance Council will be in the narthex offering materials for those who would like to remember the parish in their wills, Liturgy Elizabeth Hays Liturgist, Bereavement charitable trusts, bequests, insurance policies, charitable giving and/or IRA Minister distributions. Planned gift giving can also provide considerable tax savings. In Mary Gant Music Director doing so, you will not only bless the parish, but save money! The Finance Council members would especially like to hear from parish members who are Parish Support Michael Maloney Parish Manager accountants or financial planners. May God bless you for your generosity! Barbara Gray Pastoral Administrative Last but not least, thank you for returning your Annual Pastoral Appeal Assistant (Scheduling) pledges. Your donation is essential in supporting hundreds of ministries Laurie Erickson Director of Ministries serving hundreds of thousands of people throughout our five-county diocese. Sam Mathai Maintenance May God bless you all! Charles Yezak Director of Communications Courageously growing together in Christ, Tina Bubb Finance Office

Our Vision Statement: “Growing Together as Disciples Fr. Bill Swengros of Christ.” Pastor

“He said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none'” (Lk 13:7). Lenten Mission Begins Monday, March 25th Page 3

Page 4 Liturgical and Parish Events St. Paul Parish Mission Prayer

Holy Father, great God of love and mercy, You have surrendered everything for love of us. May we learn to surrender everything for love of You.

Fill us with Your Holy Spirit that we may do Your will and not our own. Help us to love You above all things and to love Your people the way You have commanded us. Quiet our minds and hearts that we may be open to the gift of Your truth, and grant that our Parish Mission may be: 2019 Vacation Bible School

a time of Grace for all, “SET SAIL WITH a time of growth for the young, THE TRINITY”

a time of refreshment for the old, June 17 - 21, 2019 a time of renewal for families, 9:00am - 12:00pm a time of healing for the broken, a time of joy for the sorrowing, Registration Forms will be a time of challenge for the complacent, available in April 2019 a time of forgiveness for the sinner, a time of strength for the holy, a time of homecoming for all who have been away. Join Father Bob Romaine and St. Paul Parishioners on a Pilgrimage in May to We beg You these things, Holy Father, in Jesus’ name. Amen. EWTN and The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Alabama

Pilgrimage Date: May 13 - May 16, 2019

Cost is $250 per person and includes round-trip bus fare, lodging, meals and tours. Pilgrims will attend televised events for Mass at Our Lady of Angels Chapel and Father Mitch Pacwa’s show, “Scripture and Tradition”.

For more information, contact Ed and Susan Bilbao at (813) 503-6460

“He said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none'” (Lk 13:7). Liturgical and Parish Events Page 5

Knights of Columbus Council 11211

WOMEN’S CLOTHING & TOILETRIES DRIVE

Saturday, March 30th and Sunday, March 31st In the Porticos After All Masses

All clothing items must be new or “gently used”. Toiletries must be new and should be travel size. Acceptable items include: clothing, shoes, sneakers, belts, purses, hats, deodorants, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner and soap. For more information, please send an email message to: [email protected]

Friends,

Recently I discovered a beautiful devotion in honor of Divine Mercy. Fr. Guillermo Serra, LC, created a 33 Day Consecration to Divine Mercy during the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy in 2016.

The original Spanish is readily available both in audio for via YouTube as well as a free PDF format. The Spanish and unofficial English translation will be available on our own parish website: www.stpaulchurch.com.

We will begin March 25th with Padre's introduction so that we can make our consecration during the special 3:00pm Mass on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 28.

You may be asking, "Does this replace the Divine Mercy Novena which begins on Good Friday?" No. This will supersize it!

I'm really excited about this 33 Day Consecration and I hope you are too!

— Fr. Bill Swengros

Page 6 St. Paul Catholic Preschool

License # C HC 110273 Excellence in Catholic preschool education for over 35 years

The three year olds began March developing their pre-reading and pre-math skills through the books of Dr. Seuss. We practiced identifying letters and their sounds, rhyming words, counting and number recognition. We cracked eggs to make a Green Eggs and Ham snack, listened for rhyming words as Mrs. Johnson read Hop on Pop, counted and patterned Red Fish, Blue Fish, identified shapes and predicted what happens when blue and yellow paint is mixed.

The remaining weeks of March through Easter will focus on the Lenten season. Our class will do this by using developmentally appropriate books, songs and activities; our weekly spiritual visit by Fr. Bob; and visits to the church and the Santo Niño Shrine. Through these activities, the children will be learning the importance of love and kindness towards others as Jesus loves us and gave his life for us.

In the classroom, students are working on Lenten intentions, praying hands, crosses, painting shamrocks and a service project to contribute to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry. We will also review our patron saints by learning about St. Patrick and St. Joseph.

— Marguerite Kors, 3 year old Lead Teacher

Enrollment for the 2019-2020 School Year is still open. If you are interested in having your child attend our preschool, please apply soon. A limited number of spaces are available.

Bible Verse of the Week

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. “

—John 14:1

Contact us! Preschool Office: (813) 264-3314 Email: [email protected]

“He said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none'” (Lk 13:7).

7 St. Paul Faith Formation We are rooted in Faith and growing in grace

Baptism St. Paul Council of Catholic Women & Faith Formation invites you and your family to attend...

The St. Paul Seder Supper Monday, April 15, 2019 6:30pm - 8:00pm Family Center

Seating is limited. There are six places at each table, so please reserve your place today by completing and submitting a reservation form to the Faith Formation on by Wednesday, April 10. Registration forms are available online or at the Parish Office. Cost is $15.00 per person. Children 12 and under are free. Please call God reaches out to us in all kinds of ways. The desire in your (813) 961-3023 for more information. heart to baptize your child is one of them. The promises you make for your child on this day will begin to form your child into a faithful follower of Christ. However, the day of baptism is only the beginning of this journey. Baptism is literally a life changing event!

The Sacrament of Baptism at St. Paul Catholic Church takes place on the first three Saturdays of every month in English and the fourth Saturday of every month in Spanish. If your child needs to be baptized please contact our Baptism Coordinator, Maria Mendez, at (813) 961-3023 or via email at: [email protected]. Parents and Godparents will be asked to attend a baptismal preparation class. Faith Formation Registration If your child is not currently attending a Catholic School, he and/or she should be registered in our parish’s Religious Education Program. Early Bird DONATIONS NEEDED for the Easter Egg Hunt! registration for 2019-20 year began last weekend. We would greatly appreciate donations of plastic eggs, Enjoy $10 off each child’s registration if paid before small individually wrapped candy, non-melting chocolate April 1 and reserve your child’s spot for next year. and toys that would fit inside a standard plastic egg. Please drop off your donations to the Faith Formation Office on or before Monday, April 8, 2019. Thank you! If your child is over the age of 7 and has not started preparing for First Communion or is over the age of VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for the Easter Egg Hunt! 13 and has not started to prepare for Confirmation, Would like to share your ideas or help with organization please contact us! We can help you begin the and implementation of the annual Easter Egg Hunt? preparation. It is not too late to inquire about Faith Please contact Maria Mendez, in the Faith Formation Formation! For more information, call our office at: Office, via email at [email protected] or (813) 961-3023. (813) 961-3023.

Page 8 Liturgy Corner Mass Intentions for the Week of March 24th : “When we live apart from others, it is very difficult to fight Saturday, March 23, 2019 against concupiscence, the snares and 8:30am Brenda Angeles-Caturay + temptations of the devil and the 5:30pm Mauro and Ronald Arong + selfishness of the world. Bombarded as we are by so many 7:30pm Mallavara pu Raja + enticements, we can grow too isolated, lose our sense of Sunday, March 24, 2019 reality and inner clarity, and easily succumb. Third Sunday of Lent 7:30am Frank Pishioneri + Growth in holiness is a journey in community, side by side 9:00am St. Paul Parishioners (int.) with others. We see this in some holy communities. From 10:45am Father Bill Swengros (int.) time to time, the Church has canonized entire communities 12:30pm Caridad and Anselmo Alvarez + that lived the Gospel heroically or offered to God the lives 2:00pm Irving Ortega Diaz + of all their members. 5:30 pm Osimen Family (int.) We can think, for example, of the seven holy founders of Monday, March 25, 2019 the Order of the Servants of Mary, the seven blessed Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord sisters of the first monastery of the Visitation in Madrid, 7:30am Jean Camputano DeSimone + the Japanese martyrs Saint Paul Miki and companions, the 12:15pm Partners in Prayer (int.) Korean martyrs Saint Andrew Taegon and companions, or Tuesday, March 26, 2019 the South American martyrs Saint Roque González, Saint 7:30am Frank Meisenburg + Alonso Rodríguez and companions. We should also 12:15pm Francis X. Maloney, Sr. + remember the more recent witness borne by the Trappists 7:00pm Honorio Serrano + of Tibhirine, Algeria, who prepared as a community for Wednesday, March 27, 2019 martyrdom. In many holy marriages too, each spouse 7:30am Cadena - Gomez - Ramirez Family + becomes a means used by Christ for the sanctification of 12:15pm Consecrated Life and Priestly Vocations (int.) the other. Living or working alongside others is surely a Thursday, March 28, 2019 path of spiritual growth. Saint John of the Cross told one 7:30am Anja Elder + of his followers: ‘You are living with others in order to be 12:15pm William Rodriguez + fashioned and tried’” (Pope Francis, Gaudete et Exsultate, Friday, March 29, 2019 140-141). 7:30am Richard Dunkle + 12:15pm Irving Ortega Diaz + Words of Wisdom: “Have patience with all things, but first 7:30pm African Community Members (int.) of all with yourself.” Saturday, March 30, 2019 8:30am Grace and Joe Coronado + – St. Francis de Sales 5:30pm Aracelis Sánchez + th 7:30pm Robert Box + Readings for the Week of March 24 Sunday, March 31, 2019 Fourth Sunday of Lent Sunday Third Sunday of Lent 7:30am Baltera Rodriguez (int.) Ex 3:1-8a, 13-15; Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 11; 9:00am Juana Ana Kozaviech + 1 Cor 10:1-6, 10-12; Lk 13:1-9 10:45am St. Paul Parishioners (int.) Monday Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord 12:30pm Tino + Is 7:10-14; 8:10; Ps 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 11; 2:00pm Altagracia Abreu + Heb 10:4-10; Lk 1:26-38 5:30 pm Cesar Cruz + Tuesday Dn 3:25, 34-43; Ps 25:4-5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8-9; Prayer For a Fruitful Lent Mt 18:21-35 LORD JESUS, we pray throughout the Wednesday Dt 4:1, 5-9; Ps 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20; season of Lent that you will open our Mt 5:17-19 minds and stir our hearts to follow you Thursday Jer 7:23-28; Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9; Lk 11:14-23 more faithfully. We know that you died for us when we were Friday Hos 14:2-10; Ps 81:6c-8a, 8bc-9, 10-11ab, still sinners, and we know we are sinners still. But you have 14 and 17; Mk 12:28-34 given us a longing to be the people you want us to be: faithful, Saturday Hos 6:1-6; Ps 51:3-4, 18-19, 20-21ab; Lk 18:9-14 hope-filled and loving. Help us to make the most of these Sunday Fourth Sunday of Lent forty days marked by fasting, prayers and almsgiving so that Jos 5:9a, 10-12; Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7; we might draw near to you and give you greater glory. Amen. 2 Cor 5:17-21; Lk 15:1-3, 11-32

“He said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none'” (Lk 13:7). Forgiveness and Renewal Page 9

Pray for Priests! Heavenly Father, please grant to your Deo Gratias! We again thank all those who have faithful servants, the grace and strength to offered to help with this week’s parish mission! carry out your mission for the Church each May God bless you all with His peace and Joy! day. Keep our priests close to you and Also, kudos to those who shared bulletins from continue to inspire them to serve others in their travels. This week we received bulletins from your holy name. Please help to inspire Tennessee and Florida! men who are called to a priestly vocation to answer your call and participate in the fullness that you Looking Ahead! March 25 - 28: Parish Mission have planned for them. Amen. with Father Larry Richards, 7:00pm - 9:00pm each night; March 29: Lenten Dinner from 5:00pm - Food for Thought: “Apart from the cross, there is no 7:00pm at Family Center; March 29: 5th Friday other ladder by which we may get to heaven.” Pan-African Mass at 7:30pm, no reception after Mass; March 29 - 30: Eucharistic Congress in Jacksonville,, – St. Rose of Lima Florida; March 29 - 31: Teen Camping Retreat at our Lady of Good Counsel Camp; March 30: Confirmation Workshop #3 Faith and Reason: Roger Joseph Boscovich (1711-1787) from 9:00am - 12:00pm; March 31: Fourth Sunday of Lent; was a , , mathematician, April 4: This Light Is on for You (Confessions) from 5:00pm - philosopher, diplomat, poet, and Jesuit priest 8:00pm; April 5: Lenten Dinner from 5:00pm - 7:00pm at from , . He is famous for his Family Center; April 5: Stations of the Cross followed by : a clear, precisely-formulated Novena and Mass in honor of Santo Niño starting at 7:00pm; system utilizing principles of Newtonian April 7: Fifth Sunday in Lent; April 9: Communal Penance mechanics. This work inspired Michael Faraday Service from 7:00pm - 9:00pm; April 12: Lenten Dinner from to develop field theory for electromagnetic interaction and was 5:00pm - 7:00pm at Family Center; April 12: Lenten Choir even a basis for Albert Einstein's attempts for a unified field Concert following 7:00pm Stations of the Cross; April 13: theory. OCIA Retreat for teens and adults from 9:00am - 5:30pm; April Fr. Boscovich also made many important contributions to 14: Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion; April 15: Seder Supper , including the first geometric procedure for from 6:30pm - 8:00pm at Family Center. determining the of a rotating from three of a surface feature and for computing the The Angelus: The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary: of a planet from three observations of its position. He also And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. Hail Mary … proposed that there is no atmosphere on the . Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me Fr. Boscovich’s faith served as a foundation for his scientific according to Thy word. Hail Mary … inquiry: “Regarding the nature of the Divine Creator, my And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us. theory is extraordinarily illuminating, and the result from it is a Hail Mary . . . necessity to recognize Him. Therefore, vain dreams of those who believe that the world was created by accident, or that it Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made could be built as a fatal necessity, or that it was there for worthy of the promises of Christ. eternity lining itself along his own necessary laws are completely eliminated.” As a fun trivia fact, an institute of Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy natural sciences and technology is named after him in grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of and his portrait has been on the national currency! Faith and Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an Reason enable us to grow in mind and heart. angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord. We pray for the repose of the souls of those Amen. recently departed: Roberta Castellani; Felix Cayon, Sr.; Edward D. Bocchino; Luis Alfredo Gonzalez; Dr. Cesar Cruz; Paul Joseph Bullara; Margaret Theil; Ask It Basket: “Can a human become an Michael Campanelli; Johny Rodriguez; Samual Angel? Can I?” Sorry, no. Unlike humans, Perales; Mary Conrad; Noel Jose Hernandez; Andrea Cruz angels are spiritual, non-corporal creatures (CCC, Trovar; Irving Ortega-Diaz; Anna Maria Dusek; Raquel nn. 328-330). We are corporeal creatures. When Pedrero; Allan Navarro; Carlos Byrnes; and Louis Marcano. we die, our souls go to heaven. On the last day, our bodies will rise and reunite with our souls through the power of Jesus’ Please remember in your prayers those with particular Resurrection to the resurrection of life for those who have health needs: Karen Lepa-Rottler; Dan Teal; Paul Martin; done good or to the resurrection of judgment for those who Margaret Uremovich; Linda Taylor; Rosemary Fenton; Freida have done evil (CCC 997-998). (If you have a question for the Cardona; Mary García; Lucy Rosario; and Suzette Hillis. Ask It Basket, please contact [email protected])

Page 10 Ministries in Action!

Society of St. Vincent de Paul ST. PADRE PIO PRAYER GROUP Pantry Hours Monday & Thursday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Assistance Line: (813) 264-3325 Have you ever had to go without a meal because of no St. Padre Pio Prayer Group next meeting wll be money? Please help us make sure that no one in our on Wednesday, March 27 after the 12:15pm parish family has to suffer this indignity. Your monetary Mass. The group will meet in the prayer room. and food donations allow us to help everyone who comes For more information, please send an email to: through our pantry door. [email protected] If you would like to help, please leave your food donations

for our St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, in the marked baskets located in the Narthex. Monetary donations can be dropped in the poor box, also located in the Narthex. CUB SCOUT PACK 143 Please make sure to specify SVDP in the memo line for Open to all boys and girls!

check donations or you may use an offertory envelope for cash donations and label it SVDP. For more information on how to join Cub Scout Pack 143, contact: Thank you for your generosity! ~ SVDP Society George Melendez Pantry Wish List This Week: (813) 928-2765 [email protected] Pancake Mix and Syrup

Please note we are unable to use expired items. Forgiveness and Renewal Remissione et Renovatio

Home Makers of Hope Ministry will meet on Thursday, April 4 at 7:30pm in the Parish Center. We continue to accept new or slightly used items on Fridays from 10:00am to 12:00pm in the Parish Center. We are in desperate need of towels, bedsheets and comforters (please label size twin, full or queen), shower curtains, bath mats and trash baskets. Bereavement Ministry of St. Paul Thank you!

Our ministry offers God’s healing love through emotional, physical, mental and spiritual comfort. Due Questions? to the upcoming Parish Mission, we will not meet on Email: [email protected] Tuesday, March 26, 2019. Our next, meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 9, 2019 at 7:30pm in the Parish Center, Room H. For more information, St. Francis please contact Diana at (813) 748-2874. of Assisi Ministry

Want to join the AHG Troops? The St. Francis of Assisi Ministry is accepting prayer If your daughter is age 5 requests from those who are to 18, contact Melissa at coping with the loss of a pet [email protected] or struggling with their pet’s for more information illness. Please submit your about this prayer request to: st-francis- incredible program! [email protected]

“He said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none'” (Lk 13:7). Announcements and Events Page 11 Foundations of Life Walk/Run For Life 2019 Tampa Bay Foundations of Life Pregnancy Center is having a Walk/Run for Life on Saturday, April 13th, 2019 at Ben T. Davis Beach on the Courtney Campbell Causeway. The 1 mile, 2 miles, 5K walk/run will benefit the Foundations of Life Pregnancy Center, Knights Women's Center, Project Rachel and Perinatal Comfort Care. The cost is $10. You can preregister by calling (813) 631-4393 or www.foundationsoflife.org.

I've just registered! UPCOMING YOUTH RETREATS Who will join me?!

Camping Retreat at Camp Good Counsel: 3/29 - 3/31 Panama Mission: 6/5 - 6/12 Good Samaritan Project: 6/24 - 6/29 Steubenville Orlando: 7/19 - 7/21 SCAM ALERT! A nationwide, email scam tactic is happening For information on these aforementioned retreats, please where messages are supposedly contact Stephen Watkins at: [email protected] sent from the pastor of a church asking for gift cards, money, etc. Recently, some parishioners and staff of St. Paul Catholic Church have indicated receiving these kinds of messages, supposedly from Father Bill, asking for money, gift cards, etc. Please be aware of this type of message, as it is not from Father Bill or any other member of our staff or clergy. The types of messages should ignored and deleted. Counseling Services Offered by Dr. Pat Berne Please call (813) 961-3023 to make an appointment Legal Consultation and Referral Service Every Monday by appointment only Please call (813) 961-3023

Divorced and Separated Support Group This ministry provides caring support for both women and men experiencing separation or divorce. The group meets every Friday night at 7:30pm in the St. Paul Parish Center. You may come as often as you would like...every week, once a month or whenever it is convenient for you. No charges/no fees. All are welcome! For more information and to answer any questions, please call Don Hemke at (813) 205-1735.

AA Meetings: Do you feel your life is out of control? Is Alcohol ruining your life? Help is here! Our parish is blessed to host weekly Alcoholics Anonymous meetings every Wednesday at 8:15pm in the St Michael Building. For more information, call (813) 933-9123. May God bless you!

Page 12 Stewardship: A Way of Life A Stewardship Moment … Coffee & Donuts Your Host Today: In today’s Gospel Jesus offers his parable about last chances. The fig tree will have one last chance to bear fruit Divine Mercy Cenacles before it is cut down and destroyed. Good stewards realize that, like the fig tree, they are endowed with God-given The Divine Mercy Cenacles are small faith-sharing gifts that are meant to “bear fruit” for God and neighbor. groups that get together twice a month to reflect about God has legitimate expectations of them. They also realize the Divine Mercy message and devotion through the they do not know how much time they have left before readings of the Bible, The Diary of St. Faustina, The the gardener returns for an accounting of their fruitfulness. Catechism of the Catholic Church, also to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet and to practice works of mercy. How are we using our God-given gifts? How might Please stop by and say hello! We would love to meet we use our gifts to bear more fruit? The answer you. requires some urgency. For More Information Contact Elizabeth Romero at: [email protected] 2019 Annual Pastoral Appeal

Thank you to everyone who has responded Leaving a Legacy to the request to participate in the 2019 Annual Pastoral Appeal (APA). Your gift Leaving a legacy by including St. is received with great humility, thanks and Paul Catholic Church in your will gratitude by the thousands of people helped is most appreciated. There can through your donation. APA is an be many advantages to leaving a opportunity to learn more about the 50+ gift in this way. Naming our ministries, programs and services available throughout the parish as an entity in your will, trust, or as a beneficiary St. Petersburg Diocese. on a life insurance policy is a way for any parishioner to bless future generations through a legacy gift and If you have any questions about APA, the services it funds, support the ministry of the church. For additional or how it benefits St. Paul’s, please call Michael Maloney at information please call the Parish Manager, Mr. Michael (813) 961-3023 or visit our diocesan website at Maloney at (813) 961-3023 or via e-mail: www.dosp.org and discover something new about local [email protected] Church outreach. If you have not yet responded, please know that we want and need your participation! Every Sign up for Online Giving! gift, every prayer, and every sacrifice brings hope to someone seeking the love and mercy of Christ. It’s simple and convenient. Go to stpaulchurch.com, and click on the Online Giving If you did not receive a packet, envelopes are in the link for more info on how to sign up. Narthex or you can give online by going to the St. Paul website at www.stpaulchurch.com.

“The joy of Lent is the OFFERTORY for MARCH 17, 2019 interior peace that comes from the grace of being Offertory: $ 30,157 renewed in Christ Jesus.” Online Giving: $ 6,475 Attendance: 3,646 St. Thomas Aquinas Envelopes: 875

Thank you very much for your generosity!

“He said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none'” (Lk 13:7). Forgiveness and Renewal Page 13 Faith in Action: “He said to the gardener, Living Faith: As we celebrate the Third ‘For three years now I have come in search of Sunday of Lent, it is a good time to examine fruit on this fig tree but have found none'” (Lk the fruits of our Lenten observance. Has our 13:7). We can all be like the barren fig tree at prayer improved? Has our fasting been meaningful? Are we times. Do you cling to what you have or do more attentive to the cries of those in need? Good questions! you generously share with others? How will you respond when God asks you what you have done with all the gifts He On a Lighter Note! A Waterford wife, Pauline, was keeping has given you? Remember, not only are we called to be a close eye on her new neighbors. 'They seem generous, we are called to develop and nurture our gifts and perfectly devoted to each other,' she opined to return with increase. husband, Ryan. 'He kisses her every time he goes out and even blows kisses to her from the window. Why don't you do that?' 'But, I hardly know the woman,' was Ryan's reply.

Sunday, March 24 8:00am - 1:00pm St. Paul Catholic Church

Priests of St. Paul Catholic Church ID Required (l to r) Father George Gyasi, Father Bill Swengros (Pastor), Donors must be at least and Father Bob Romaine 16 years old

Due to copyright restrictions, we are not essence. In God is rooted all Being, that (and us), pointing out the example of able to print the Scriptures with the which underlies everything in the those to whom God had spoken directly Reflections of Dr. Jack Conroy. Cosmos. Hence, when we see the last who ignored Him; and invited them and I. Exodus, 3:1-8, 13-15 God Reveals verse read, "This is my name forever," we us to evaluate our "uprightness". His Name. see that God is expressing the very character of His being: That He IS. III. Luke 13:1-9 God as a Patient Reflection: If you read the verses just Gardener. before the assigned reading (2:23-25), you II. 1 Cor 10:1-6, 10-12 The Example of will note that the Israelites, enslaved in Reflection: There are three stories Luke Our Spiritual Ancestors. Egypt, cried out to God, who tells us. The first probably refers to an remembered his covenant with Abraham. Reflection: St. Paul first reminds his event that precipitated the removal of "God saw the Israelites and took note." readers that their spiritual fathers, the Pontius Pilate in 37 after he had attacked Then the reading commences. The Jews, were "under a cloud" which was some Samaritan pilgrims climbing their "Mountain of God" is named either God, when they were led out of Egypt sacred mountain, called Mt. Gerizim, "Sinai" or "Horeb" in the ancient texts; (Exodus, 13:21). Being "baptized into looking for some sacred vessels. Pilate they probably refer to the same place. In Moses" means they achieved personhood killed many of them and after a fact, the Hebrew word "bush" is seneh, through obedience to the Law of God complaint lodged with the Legate of which alludes to Sinai. Note that in the given to Moses. Eating the same Syria, who deposed Pilate. Luke uses this Old Testament, God is often represented "spiritual food" refers to the Manna (Ex. to demonstrate the Hebrew notion that a as fire or smoke. Notice that when God 17:5) and the "spiritual rock" was that wrathful God punishes sinners (Deut. 28- called, Moses gave what became a which Moses struck with his rod to 30) Second, there is no evidence of a standard response of a Prophet: "Here I produce water (Numbers 20:7-11) Being tower at the pool of Siloam, but the story am." Prophets often, when God spoke "struck down in the desert" refers to the reinforces that perspective. Finally, the to them, offer some objection, or request punishment of those who revolted (Nb. story of the fig tree stands against the for further information. And here, God 14). Paul saw Corinthian Church's sense former two stories. Luke uses this gives His most important name: "I Am of their own spiritual excellence as springboard to suggest the necessity of who Am," and later, "Tell them 'I AM' problematic. They felt they had superior repentance, of a change of heart. He sent you." To the ancients, a name knowledge and could easily eat meat then points out that God has patience, expressed the essence of the person; and sacrificed to idols, since the idols were and is willing to tolerate our temporary for God, BEING, EXISTING is His empty. Paul needed to address them sinfulness,…but only for a while.