Saint John XXIII Roman Catholic Church 3390 Portage Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3K 0Z3 Telephone: 204-832-7175 • Fax: 204-885-2447 Email: [email protected] • Website: www.johnxxiii.ca
Office Hours: Tuesday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Pastor: Reverend Fr. Robert Polz 204-832-7335 [email protected]
Pastoral Assistant: Sharon Camier 204-832-7206 [email protected]
Administrative Assistant: Joanna Mason 204-832-7175 [email protected]
Executive Custodian: José Barrera 204-888-9340 ______
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT – “LAETARE SUNDAY” March 6, 2016 ______
SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION (CONFESSIONS) SUNDAY LITURGIES (MASSES) Saturday 4:00 p.m. Saturday 5:00 p.m. and/or as announced or by appointment Sunday 9:00 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK WEEKDAY LITURGIES Contact the Pastor (Fr. Robert) Tuesday through Friday 9:15 a.m. SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE and/or as announced Arrangements for preparation and celebration COMMUNION TO THE SICK AND SHUT-IN of marriages should be made through the Contact the parish office for assistance Pastor at least six months in advance SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION CELEBRATION OF THE ORDER OF CHRISTIAN FUNERALS BAPTISM OF CHILDREN Contact the parish office before finalizing Contact the parish office to make arrangements arrangements with funeral directors for the preparation and celebration of Baptism DEVOTIONS RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (RCIA) Rosary at 9:00 a.m. before weekday Masses Contact the Pastor (Fr. Robert) Eucharistic Adoration - First Fridays at 9:45 a.m. or the Pastoral Assistant (Sharon) Chaplet of Divine Mercy - Fridays at 3:00 p.m.
FAITH FORMATION OF CHILDREN Catechism sessions for children (K to Grade 8) are held on Sunday mornings, September through May, from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. Contact our Pastoral Assistant (Sharon) for further information and to register.
FAITH FORMATION OF ADULTS In addition to formation sessions for those preparing for the Rites of Christian Initiation, periodically other programs, workshops, and/or study sessions will be offered throughout the year to help adult parishioners deepen their love of God and understanding of our Catholic faith. Contact our Pastor or Pastoral Assistant for further information.
GATHERING, FELLOWSHIP, AND COFFEE FACILITY BOOKINGS: PARISH HALL, MEETING ROOMS, ETC. After Masses on the first weekend of the month Contact the parish office for more information FULL CHOIR PRACTICE
In preparation for the Sacred Paschal Triduum, a joint choir practice will be held next Sunday, March 13th from 10:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. This will be an opportunity for singers (from all three Masses) to get together and begin practicing some of the music that will be used during the Triduum and during the early weeks of the Easter Season. Current singers and anyone else interested in joining us are cordially invited to gather for an hour of practice and joyful praise of God!
SCHEDULE FOR MARCH 6 – 13, 2016 As circumstances suggest, the following schedule may be subject to change.
Sunday, March 6 FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT – “LAETARE SUNDAY” 5:00 pm Saturday MASS – Manuel Pereira+, requested Maria Pereira 6:00 pm Saturday Fellowship and Coffee in the narthex 9:00 am MASS – Victorina and Marcello Alberto+, requested by Vicky and family 10:00 am Fellowship and Coffee in the narthex 10:15 am Catechism Classes: “Laetare Sunday Family Celebration” in the parish hall 11:45 am MASS – “Pro populo” / Intentions of parishioners 12:45 pm Fellowship and Coffee in the narthex
Monday, March 7 FERIAL – Parish office is closed today – custodian on duty 10:00 am Knitting Group in the lounge downstairs 4:30 pm Fr. Robert will attend the meeting of the Board of Directors of St. Paul’s High School 7:00 pm Catholic Women’s League Executive Meeting in Room 10
Tuesday, March 8 FERIAL 9:00 am Recitation of the Rosary 9:15 am MORNING PRAYER from the Liturgy of the Hours 10:30 am Meeting of Pastors with the Archbishop at Good Shepherd Church, Portage la Prairie 3:00 pm Fr. Robert will attend the meeting of the board of the Manitoba Multifaith Council
Wednesday, March 9 FERIAL 9:00 am Recitation of the Rosary 9:15 am MASS – In petition to the Lord for healing, requested by Peter Corcoran 7:00 pm Sacrament of Reconciliation at St. Paul the Apostle Church, 2400 Portage Avenue
Thursday, March 10 FERIAL 9:00 am Recitation of the Rosary 9:15 am MASS – Glen Harper+, requested by Mona Harper 10:00 am Sacrament of Reconciliation at Saint John XXIII Church 7:00 pm Sacrament of Reconciliation at St. Patrick’s Church, 172 Worth Street
Friday, March 11 FERIAL 9:00 am Recitation of the Rosary 9:15 am MASS – Angelita Maduro+ (on her birthday), requested by her son Virgil Maduro 10:45 am MASS – at Sturgeon Creek II Retirement Residence, 707 Setter Street 3:00 pm Recitation of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy (in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel) 7:00 pm WAY OF THE CROSS (in the main worship space)
Saturday, March 12 FERIAL 5:00 pm MASS – Ida Kristiana Lamirande+, requested by Janice Lamirande
Reminder: Clocks are moved forward one hour tonight to daylight savings time – i.e. “spring forward”
Sunday, March 13 FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT – “SOLIDARITY SUNDAY” 9:00 am MASS – Wayne Morrison+, requested by Phylis Garet 10:00 am CHOIR PRACTICE (in the former St. Chad’s Chapel) 10:15 am Catechism Classes 10:15 am Sacramental Preparation Session for First Reconciliation in room 10 11:45 am MASS – “Pro populo” / Intentions of parishioners ______
“Be at peace with your own soul, then heaven and earth will be at peace with you.” — Saint Jerome MARCH 6, 2016 Fourth Sunday of Lent
Joshua 5:9a, 10-12 Joshua leads the Israelites across the Jordan to begin their new lives in Canaan.
Psalm 34:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 The LORD hears us, rescues us, and is worthy of every praise and blessing.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 In Christ, we leave behind the past and begin again as new people.
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 Two sons jockey for their place in relationship to their father’s approval.
LIFE AS LITURGY In the context of a secular world that rarely utters the name of God except in casual vulgarity, it’s easy to compartmentalize faith. In this context, church becomes the repository of things religious, and Sunday Mass becomes the sole interface between God and us. The rest of the week is about mammon: earning it, spending it, making use of its benefits or lamenting its shortfall. The secular realm has such a grip on us, it’s likely that secular attitudes might bleed into our liturgical space. We wonder, for example, what’s accomplished at Mass, whether it’s worth our time to be here when so many things need doing—not the least of which may be spending an extra hour in bed or relaxing on a rare day of rest. We may tap our toe impatiently when the ritual runs long, confining us in a place that’s less real or has less value to us than where we anticipate going after this. Liturgy can appear to cut into our life space, demanding from us what we sometimes would rather not surrender. What if the whole situation were turned around? What if life consciously became our liturgical space, and the hour of actual liturgy each week simply highlighted what we’re doing out there in the greater ritual of being alive? Viewed through the lens of liturgy, everything we do might become imbued with new meaning and purpose. We might find ourselves living differently, loving in a deeper way, exercising greater virtue, and discovering the divine in places we’d never looked for God before. The book of Joshua, like much of the Pentateuch, is a story edited by Israelite priests. They see the liturgy in life and make it almost too obvious. Notice how the Israelites, in the very hour they attain the land of promise, choose to encamp and enact the Passover celebration. Is this really a time for liturgy? Don’t they have more exciting and immediate things to do than recall God’s past activities? Evidently this ritual and this conversation is deemed most vital for this happy hour. It’s the lens through which Israel chooses to view its present joy and future hopes. In the same way, the story of the forgiving father and his self-absorbed sons is a saga of life-as-liturgy: One son runs off to a society that can only offer the profane meal with pigs, while the other rejects the invitation to a great celebration of restored life. The sound of music and dancing can be heard from the house, yet unless we enter and invest ourselves, it’s as if there is no party. Does liturgy disrupt life, or interpret it? In which realm would we rather place our hopes? — Alice Camille Reprinted with permission from Prepare the Word (©2016), www.PrepareTheWord.com ______
IMAGE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: A beautiful copy of the familiar icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help has been obtained and hung in the church proper and the vigil light stand placed underneath. As many realize, aisles are narrow and space limited in various areas of our church. Legal access to the aisles and to the railings at the stairs of the sanctuary must be maintained. Hanging an image on the side wall of the nave seems to be the best compromise to satisfy those who have been wishing for an image of Our Lady in the church proper. Please be very careful when lighting vigil lights. A few weeks ago, what could have been a very serious fire was put out just in the nick of time! Therefore, we are investigating the possibility of obtaining a safer and cleaner candle burning system. WHAT ARE THE “DEADLY SINS”? One of the traditional ways to catalogue sin, from which, Saint Paul said, Christ saves us, are the Seven Deadly Sins: Pride, envy, anger, sloth, avarice, gluttony, and lust, which are also more formally known as the “capital” sins. In Latin caput means “head”: These sins were deemed to be at the head of all other failures. Ancient Eastern monks launched the trend of vice-lists. They defined eight bad attitudes that led to eight vices. Eventually Saint Thomas Aquinas in the 13th century tidied up the tally and reduced it to the present seven. In 1215 the Fourth Lateran Council mandated annual confession of mortal sins, putting forth the so-called “Easter duty” of confession followed by reception of Communion once a year during the Easter season. Because life everlasting depended on it, anxious parishioners wanted guidance in making a worthy confession. They were directed to the Ten Commandments and the Seven “Deadly” (Mortal) Sins. While his seven “social” sins may not come trippingly off the tongue, Pope Benedict XVI undertook a rewriting of the “Deadlies” for the modern world: environmental destruction, genetic manipulation, obscene wealth, creating poverty, drug trafficking, immoral use of science, and violations of fundamental human rights. – Alice L. Camille Reprinted with permission from Prepare the Word (©2016), www.PrepareTheWord.com ______
PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE IN NEED OF HEALING AND COMFORT: Darrell Aucoin, Peter Corcoran, Connie Csizmadia, Eola Johnson, Angela Kalichak, Debra McEnturff, Dolores and Paul Mulaire, Cecile Roberts, Marie Stuart, Jacob Trudel and Ted Wood.
We are in the process of updating our prayer list. Some names had been on the former list for several years and we don’t know the status of most of the persons involved. So we kindly ask the ongoing cooperation of members of the parish as we continue to update the names on the list. Please contact our Pastoral Assistant, Sharon, to have names added to our revised list. Please remember that to have names added to the list and printed in the bulletin we require permission from the person(s) concerned. Thank you for your help.
Please also remember in your prayers the repose of the soul of Joyce Hiatt of our parish who died last Saturday, February 27th. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her! ______
EVERYBODY HAS A PART: Time and time again in the Gospels, Jesus places before us the call to live a life of stewardship. Intentional disciples place their time, talent and treasure at the disposal of Jesus and the faith community of the parish. The commitment of our time and talent is evident in the ways we meet the needs of our parish community and beyond. Every skill we have is God’s own gift to us. Truly, each day is God’s gift in which differences are made for the good by the ways we choose to live. There are a variety of opportunities available at Saint John XXIII Parish for people to share their time and talents for the common good and thereby to grow in their own understanding and practice of the faith. Please prayerfully consider your participation as a member in the life of our parish and mark your areas of interest on a TIME AND TALENT RENEWAL FORM. Forms are available in the narthex. Please submit your completed forms to the parish office or place in the collection basket at Mass. In the following weeks, a member of our parish team will be in contact with you to discern further your participation in the work of our parish. THANK YOU for your prayers and for your generous response! ______
The Holy Year of Mercy: Reflections The Prodigal Father’s Parable
Accused of hanging out with sinners, Jesus tells one of his best stories. “A man had two sons,” the elder (oh-so-good) and the younger (not-so-much). It’s a story about extravagance and wastefulness—prodigality—but not the son’s. The “prodigal father’s” affection and forgiveness go overboard, a spendthrift with his love. The parable closes with a party dad throws for his son who “once was lost and now is found,” but the older son refuses to join the celebration, so that the father has to beg him to go beyond his joyless (self-)righteousness. The father actually runs out to meet a son twice: once to kiss the errant, broken younger one and then to bring into the warmth that stubborn elder one. Jesus still “consorts with sinners,” no manner which kind we are.
Reprinted with permission from Prepare the Word (©2016), www.PrepareTheWord.com Saint John XXIII Roman Catholic Church, Winnipeg, MB SUPPLEMENT TO THE PARISH BULLETIN
Fourth Sunday of Lent March 6, 2016
SHARE LENT 2016: March 13th is Solidarity Sunday
The collection for DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE will be taken up at all Sunday Liturgies next weekend. For this special collection, please use the special yellow SHARE LENT envelope included in your parish offering envelope box and include your donation in the collection basket along with your regular offering to the parish. Alternate special collection envelopes are available for those who do not have an assigned parish offering envelope box. Cheques should be made payable to the parish. DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE is the official international development organization of the Catholic Church in Canada and the Canadian member of CARITAS INTERNATIONALIS. Children and others who wish to present SHARE LENT offerings collected in jars and other various containers may also present these next weekend by joining in the offertory procession. ______
CHRISTIANS OF THE HOLY LAND Due to an unexpected injury, the visit of the representative of the Christians of the Holy Land has been rescheduled to next weekend March 12th and 13th, 2016. Olive wood religious items will be available after all Masses. All the items are locally hand carved in the Holy Land by our brothers and sisters there. A representative will brief us at the end of Mass concerning the plight of those families and invite us to see their display. Our support is a wonderful way to show solidarity towards our Catholic brothers and sisters living in the land where our Lord once walked! ______
Celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation PARISH PENITENTIAL CELEBRATION: Thursday, March 10th A DAY OF CONFESSION: Saturday, March 19th
Saturday, March 19th, has been dedicated as “A Day of Confession” throughout the Archdiocese of Winnipeg. Regardless of how long you have been away from the Sacrament of Reconciliation or what may be on your conscience to confess, the Father of Mercy is there for us with open arms, like the father in the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15: 17-24). In addition to the Penitential Celebrations already scheduled in parishes throughout Lent, Archbishop Richard Gagnon has encouraged all priests in the Archdiocese to make themselves available for the celebration of this Sacrament of Healing on this special Day of Confession, March 19, 2016. Pope Francis encourages all of us to seek the Father’s forgiveness for our sins through the Sacrament of Reconciliation and has stressed that this Holy Year of Mercy is founded on our own experience of the mercy of God in our lives. This enables us to seek to be merciful to others: “Mercy is the fundamental law that dwells in the heart of every person who looks sincerely in the eyes of his brothers and sisters on the path of life.” (Misericordiae Vultus #2) Do come to your parish to share with the Lord what is in your heart by celebrating the Sacrament of Confession. Check the Archdiocesan Website
PUBLIC WAY OF THE CROSS 2016: Join us on Good Friday, March 25th, for the Archdiocese of Winnipeg’s Annual Public Way of the Cross. It will be held at St. Peter’s Church, 748 Keewatin Street, with the program beginning at 8:30 a.m. For further information, please call the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry at 204-452-2227, ext. 273.
ST. CHARLES RETREAT CENTRE: Monthly Prayer Group - Chemin Neuf Community gathers on the Second Tuesday of the month from 7:00 to 8:15 p.m. at the St. Charles Retreat Centre, 323 St. Charles Street. Next one is Tuesday, March 8th. The hour will include praise and worship, silence and listening, sometimes a brief teaching or testimony. All are welcome.
STEVE BELL IN CONCERT: Join us for an evening of music and stories of hope with renowned singer-songwriter Steve Bell at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 19th at North Kildonan Mennonite Brethren Church, 1315 Gateway Avenue. Entrance is free with a freewill donation to help children in Latin America get a quality education. For more information visit genrising.org
ANNUAL PALM SUNDAY TEA: St. Basil’s Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League of Canada invites everyone to their Annual Palm Sunday Tea to be held on Sunday, March 20, 2016 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. in St. Basil’s Parish Auditorium, 202 Harcourt Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Dr. Anne Penny, Principal of St. Charles Catholic School, will officially open the tea. Home Baking – Raffle – Silent Auction.
IGNATIAN LECTURE SERIES: The Ignatian Lecture Series is being held Wednesday evenings during Lent from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. in the St. Ignatius Parish Adult Education Centre, 925 Jesse Avenue, Winnipeg. To register call Valerie at 204-453-9243.
9 March: An Encounter of Christ's Mercy at Communion and in the Confessional - Fr. Jeff Burwell, SJ, Professor, U of M. 16 March: Reflections on Reconciliation & Mercy - Dr. Emoke J E Szathmary, CM, OM, FRSC, President Emeritus, U of M. All are welcome. Free-will offering.
YEAR OF MERCY - GUEST PRESENTATIONS: In our Year of Mercy, St. Paul the Apostle Parish is hosting a guest speaker series each month on various life issues and challenges in order to tear down our prejudices, judgements, and discriminations. Come and hear the stories of people who have experienced struggle and pain as well as mercy and hope in their lives. All are welcome.
Upcoming presentations: Thursday, March 10 at 7:00 p.m. – PTSD: not just in soldiers Thursday, April 14 at 7:00 p.m. – Domestic Abuse: Why & How Thursday, May 12 at 7:00 p.m. – Cancer Survivor: What to say and not to say to those suffering Thursday, June 9 at 7:00 p.m. – Addictions & Recovery
RESPONDING TO THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION REPORT: A number of St. James- Assiniboia churches are hosting the following sessions. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. Sessions listed will begin at 7:00 p.m. and be held at Sturgeon Creek United Church, 205 Thompson Drive. March 14, 2016 – Then and Now: Ry Moran, Director of the National Research Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. The political history of Indian Residential Schools. April 25, 2016 – Truth and Reconciliation Report: Justice Murray Sinclair will discuss the TRC findings and its recommendations. May 16, 2016 – Walking Together: Considering our response to what we have learned. ______
For other events in and around the Archdiocese of Winnipeg, please see information posted on bulletin boards in the narthex and at the entrance of the church, and/or go to the website: www.archwinnipeg.ca/weekly_bulletin.php ______
Regular Parish Collections – Month of February 2016
PAD (Pre-authorized debit) $ 6,887.00 Regular Envelopes 9,585.10 Other identified 730.00 Loose Collection 949.00 Initial Offering 15.00 TOTAL $ 18,166.10
Although many folks have been away on their winter vacations and/or away due to the cold weather and illness, please remember that our parish expenses continue just the same. Your generous stewardship of treasure is necessary for the support of ongoing pastoral ministry and the maintenance and upkeep of our facility. Thank you for your prayerful consideration and response to the needs of our parish. THE POPE’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR MARCH 2016
Universal: Families in Difficulty
That families in need may receive the necessary support and that children may grow up in healthy and peaceful environments.
Evangelization: Persecuted Christians
That those Christians who, on account of their faith, are discriminated against or are being persecuted, may remain strong and faithful to the Gospel, thanks to the incessant prayer of the Church. ______
“The overall purpose of human communication is ― or should be ― reconciliation.” – M. Scott Peck, The Different Drum ______
Central Winnipeg Deanery SCHEDULE FOR THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION LENT 2016
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9TH 7:00 p.m. ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE CHURCH, 2400 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg
THURSDAY, MARCH 10TH 10:00 a.m. SAINT JOHN XXIII CHURCH, 3390 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg 7:00 p.m. ST. PATRICK’S CHURCH, 172 Worth Street, Winnipeg
FRIDAY, MARCH 11TH 7:00 p.m. ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA CHURCH (HUNGARIAN), 365 Burnell Street, Winnipeg
TUESDAY, MARCH 15TH 10:15 a.m. St. Charles Catholic School Children at St. Charles Church 7:00 p.m. ST. MARY’S CATHEDRAL, 353 St. Mary Avenue, Winnipeg 7:00 p.m. BLESSED SACRAMENT CHURCH, 19 Elie Street West, Elie, Manitoba
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16TH 7:00 p.m. ST. CHARLES CHURCH, 320 St. Charles Street, Winnipeg
THURSDAY, MARCH 17TH 7:00 p.m. GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH, 1125 Saskatchewan Avenue East, Portage la Prairie 7:00 p.m. OUR LADY OF LOURDES CHURCH, 95 MacDonald Avenue, Winnipeg
FRIDAY, MARCH 18TH 6:30 p.m. ST. EDWARD THE CONFESSOR CHURCH, 836 Arlington Street, Winnipeg ______