First Sunday in Lent 21 February 2021

...he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among the wild beasts and the angels ministered to Him. Mark 1:13

St. Michael & School 708 St. Michael’s Lane Gastonia, NC 28052

This Week at St. Michael’

Sacred Liturgy Sunday, February 21 7:30 AM Holy Mass—For the People 8:00 AM Adult Choir Practice: G-Hall

1st Sunday of Lent 9:00 AM Spanish FF: (VIRTUAL) 9:00 AM Holy Mass— Mike Butler 10:30 AM Consecration to St. Joseph: PCH 11:00 AM Holy Mass (Spanish—Live Streamed 10:40 AM Adult FF: HFR Only)—Priest Intention

Monday, February 22 8:30 AM Holy Mass—† Casey Alan Stundebeck 6:30 PM : HFR

7: 00 PM K/C: PCH/K The Chair of St. Peter The Apostle

Tuesday, February 23 6:00 PM Holy Mass (Spanish—Cancelled) 1:30 PM Cursillo: HFR

St. Polycarp

Wednesday, February 24 4:45 PM Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament 5:45 PM Benediction

6:00 PM Holy Mass—† Scott M. Cameli

6:45 PM—7:30 PM Confessions

Thursday, February 25 8:30 AM Holy Mass—† Fr. Melchior Reichert,

O.S.B.

Friday, February 26 6 AM—6 PM Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament 5:00 PM K/C Meatless Spaghetti Dinner: PCH/K 8:30 AM Holy Mass—Ivo Raimundo

9:15 AM—10:15 AM Confessions

6:00 PM Stations of the Cross

Saturday, February 27 8:30 AM Holy Mass — † Fr. Kieran Neilson, 3:00 PM Adult FF: PCH O.S.B.

9:15 AM—11:00 AM Confessions

4:30 PM Holy Mass—Mr. & Mrs. Winston Martínez, Jr. & Family

Sunday, February 28 7:30 AM Holy Mass—† Mary & Boyd Biddix 8:00 AM Adult Choir Practice: G-Hall

2nd Sunday of Lent 9:00 AM Spanish FF: (VIRTUAL) 9:00 AM Holy Mass— For the People 10:30 AM Consecration to St. Joseph: PCH 11:00 AM Holy Mass (Spanish—Live Streamed 10:30 AM Confirmation: G-Hall Only)—Priest Intention 10:40 AM Adult FF: HFR

Please Remember in your Prayers Prayer of a Couple on a Wedding Anniversary

Fr. James Ebright, Sister Mary Olivia Shirley, Amy and children, Baria Estella Alvarado, Anna Ashworth, Joe We praise you, O God, Bell, Joseph Berta, A. Bevendez, Marilyn Bickham, Tim we bless you, Creator of all things, Biddix, J Black, Beth Bradley, Jeffrey Brown, Kristy who in the beginning made man and woman that they might form a communion of life and love. Brown, Mark Buettner, Jerry Carpenter, Eneida Ceballos, Steven Cherry, Peggy Clark, Hutch Dow, We also give you thanks Betty Dow, Gail Driscoll, Glenda Downey, Michael for graciously blessing our family life Durkee, Betsy Durkee, Elizabeth Eddie, Greg Edel, so that it might present an image of Christ's union Nicholas Escandón, Jill Faille, Frances Ficke, Pete & with the Church. Rebecca Files, Shannon Frazer, Charlie Gallagher, Steve Gnandt, Kathy Geoffroy, Penny Godwin, Aleyda Look with kindness upon us today Gómez, Shirley Hachey, Gwen Hart, Calvin Hebert, and, as you have sustained our communion Dorothy Henley, Judy Horton, Jacob Huffman, Eric amid joys and struggles, Hunter, Connie Hutter, Peggy Jacobs, Linda Johnson, renew our Marriage covenant each day, increase our charity, Robin Johnson, Briceida Juya, Mary Kay, Holly and strengthen in us the bond of peace, Koloziejski, Dick & Kay Landry, Joann & Norman so that we may for ever enjoy your blessing. Loughmiller, Lucas Lowe, Stephanie Lowry, Kent Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Lupton, Maureen Lupton, Doris McFee, Rita Mascarenhas, Micheli Family, Milewski Family, Heather Copyright © 2001, Conference of Catholic Monteleagre, Marion Moore, Wayne & Gloria Moore, Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. John Moore, MaryAnn Murray, Kathy Olijnyk, Gerald Orazem, Mary Packard, Charles Pasour, David Peace, As we journey during this Lenten Season, let us reflect H. Pichardo, Gretchen Prendeville, Finley Price, Patsy on our marriage. Learn how on an upcoming & Allen Queen, Ivo Raimundo, Maryely Rebolledo, virtual Worldwide Marriage Encounter Sue Ruocco, Bill & Jim Saluke, Gemma Servin Vega, Weekend on Feb 22-Mar 15, 2021 in VIRTUAL, NC. Maureen Setlock , Bette Shirley, Jim Sneska, Pat Splawn, For more information visit our website at: Bob Stauss, James Michael Stoute, Cheryl Street, https://NCMarriageDiscovery.org or contact us at [email protected] or McKenzie Tapper, Maerene Thomas, Tinsdale Family, 704-315-2144. Orlando Torres, Carolyn Webster, Liliana Wenger, Lisa Wilber, Willis Family, Joyce Ziolkowski

A Prayer for Our Priests

For all in service to our country: Eternal Father, we lift up to you our priests and all the Matthew Barker, Michael P. Bernard, Jr., Derrick priests of the world. Sanctify them; heal and guide Dobbins, Andrew and Joseph Chase, Jeffrey them; mold them into the likeness and Kaldah, Zach Kiefaber, Thomas Terrio, Stefan Zapata holiness of your Son, Jesus, the Eternal High Priest.

May their lives be pleasing to You. For the repose of the soul of: Joyce Calcagno In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. Stations of the Cross Sacrament of

Reconciliation Schedule Fridays at 6 PM Wednesdays 6:45 PM—7:30 PM

Every Friday 6 AM—6 PM Fridays 9:15 AM—10:15 AM

Saturdays 9:15 AM—11 AM

ON THE COVER: Christ in the Wilderness Sign up at:

By: Moretto da Brescia (Alessandro Bonvicino)

stmccg.weadorehim.com/en ca.: 1515–20 Public Domain

Around our Parish & Diocese

Sign up to receive these reflections straight to your inbox each morning:

https://formed.org/lent

Christ’s love for you is bursting forth. Embrace him and let his mercy pierce your heart during this Lenten season. Join us for a 40-day journey of welcoming his tender love, AVAILABLE FOR FREE beginning with these short, daily videos from ON FORMED Scripture scholar Dr. Tim Gray. Live in Christ’s love and let him transform your life.

Confirmation Corner

Each week we will feature one of our students preparing to celebrate Confirmation.

We ask that you pray for that student. Please send any spiritual bouquets and notes of encouragement to [email protected].

Olivia Rivas has chosen St. Thérèse of Lisieux

February training bulletin now available. Virtus.org

Around our Parish , School and Diocese Enter the Mystery A retreat for any who are new or want to be renewed in the faith.

March 26, 2021 @ 4:00 pm – March 28, 2021 @ 5:30 pm plus a second night option

The Catholic Conference Center is pleased to offer a unique retreat opportunity to those who are new to the Catholic faith or have been journeying with newly or soon to be baptized and confirmed individuals. These include: • Any new to the faith • Any wishing to be renewed in the faith • RCIA Candidates for confirmation in the church • RCIA Catechumens and Elect and sponsors

This one-night retreat is structured to help a person deepen their appreciation for the mysteries of the faith and provide a foundation for a fulfilling life in the Church for years to come.

The Good Shepherds

of Bethlehem

The Good Shepherds of Bethlehem is a group that supports the Catholic community in Bethlehem, The Holy Land. A representative from the group will be at our parish on the weekend of February 27-28 selling olive wood carvings made by the Catholic families after all Masses.

Since the beginning of March 2020, ahead of the busy Easter season that draws thousands of visitors and worshipers to the city, The City of Bethlehem and the Nativity Church have been closed to all visitors and worshipers due to the national pandemic (COVID-19), thus creating a huge burden on the local Christian families, as they depend greatly on tourism and the olive wood sales.

Please help support this ministry by purchasing a gift for you or a loved one. As a thank you for your support and generosity, they will be donating 10% of their sales at St. Michael’s back to our parish.

Around Our Parish FISH DINNERS MEATLESS SPAGHETTI

February 19 DINNERS

March 5 February 26 March 19 March 12 March 26

Knights of Columbus

Council 6700

Lenten Meals 2021

Adults: SMCC Parish Center Adults / Children 2 pieces of fish, fries, hush puppies, slaw—$10 5:00 PM—7:30 PM Meatless spaghetti, salad, bread, dessert—$5 Children: Eat-In

1 piece of fish, fries, hush (with distancing) puppies, slaw—$5 ********************************** or

Take-out (encouraged) Beer / Wine—$2 ********************************** Fish sandwich—$3

Fries—$2 Slaw—$1 Soda—$1

Mac & Cheese—$2 CASH / CHECK Water—Free Beer/Wine—$2 DEBIT/CREDIT CARD Soda—$1 Water—Free Family 4 or more—$20

Family—$30

The St. John Paul II Foundation, in collaboration with the Diocese of Charlotte and Belmont Abbey College, invite all health care professionals to the

Fourth Annual Converging Roads Medical Ethics Conference

held in person and online

Saturday, March 20, 2021 from 8:00 am – 6:00 pm at the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Charlotte, NC.

The conference theme is Hippocratic Medicine: Do No Harm, Continuing education credits for healthcare professionals will be offered.

Topics include: For more information, please Rationing in Times of Crisis The Duty to Care When Facing Personal Risk visit Conscience Protection convergingroads.com or email [email protected]. Gender Dysphoria, and more!

My Parish App: Download the app by texting the word “app” to 88202, or by clicking the QR Code (on the back BULLETIN cover of this bulletin—you have to have a QR scanner DEADLINE: app on your smartphone in order to scan the QR Code),

or you can also download the app to your phone by ALL material for publication in our Sunday bulletin must be visiting the App Store or Google Play! submitted to Lissette Westover at [email protected] in editable form no later than 9am Monday (6 days) prior to Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stmichaelsgastonia/ publication. Thank you for your cooperation! Flocknote: https://signup.flocknote.com/

You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCHEAlM6Dtu162Dt1NlWAPyA

Lent is a time to reflect on our relationship with God. We are called to focus on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving in our Lenten stewardship. ATTENTION NEWCOMERS

St. Michael Catholic Church Have you completed a parish registration form? BUSINESS HOURS Do you have any questions?

Monday 1pm—4pm Please feel free to ask one of our greeters or call the Tuesday through Friday 9am—4pm parish office at 704.867.6212

PARISH INFORMATION

SACRAMENT S OF BAPTISM & HOLY MATRIMONY PARISH DIRECTORY 708 St. Michael’s Lane Gastonia, NC 28052 Please call the church office at 704.867.6212 704-867-6212 Pastor Rev. Fr. Lucas Rossi FIRST COMMUNION PREPARATION CLASS (Ext. 105) [email protected] Please contact Mary Gomes at [email protected] Hispanic Ministry Rev. Fr. José Antonio Juya CONFIRMATION PREPARATION CLASS (Ext. 112) Please contact Ken Albert at kgalbert @stmccg.org [email protected]

RCIA / ADULT FORMATION Deacon Rev. Mr. Timothy Mueller Please contact Adam Kincaid at (Ext. 101) [email protected]

[email protected] Deacon Rev. Mr. John Weisenhorn (Ext. 101) [email protected] YOUTH GROUP & HIGH SCHOOL FAITH FORMATION Please Contact Matt Tortorich at [email protected] Administrative Assistant Lissette Westover

(Ext. 101) [email protected] FAITH FORMATION (A Family of Faith) Director of Sacred Music Toni Keating Please contact Alexis Ellis @ [email protected] (Ext. 101) [email protected]

SACRAMENT OF ANOINTING OF THE SICK Director of Children’s Choir Kristen Levine (Ext 101) [email protected] Please call the church office (704- 867-6212) when seriously ill, for the elderly, before serious surgery or any Maintenance Technician Ken Albert time in an emergency. (Ext 104) [email protected]

HOLY COMMUNION AT HOME St Michael Thrift Store Please contact the church office at 704-867-6212 1111 S. York Street - Gastonia, NC 28052 Phone: 704-864-8646 Tuesday - Friday: 10-5:30 Saturday: 10-4

MARRIAGE TRIBUNAL ADVOCATE Please contact Kim Cobb at Thrift Store Manager Amy Pruitt [email protected] [email protected] St. Michael Catholic School 704 St Michael’s Lane - Gastonia, NC 28052 DEVOTIONS Phone: 704-865-4382

First Fridays 8:00 PM Thursday – 8:00 AM Friday: Principal Michelle Vollman Nocturnal Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament [email protected]

Every Friday 6 AM - 6 PM: Administrative Assistant Jackie Childers All Day Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament [email protected]

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel

St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Hosts, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.