The parish family of St Gerard mourns the passing of our former pastor, Fr. Don Abbott, on March 2, 2021 in Massachusetts. Funeral will be held March 6th at St. Mary's Church in Winchester, MA. Lane Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

TRIBUTE TO FATHER DON

Blessings on thee, Father Don Friend and pastor, man of song. Booming voice at the gathering hymn Singing “Just As I Am” on a whim.

Boston accent not to be denied-- Your life's stories continuously supplied. Your gift of healing your crowning ministry Providing a bountiful and beautiful history. M ission Statement Priests don't ever retire. Called to be a People for Others Their goal is to light the fire 640 Edrie St. NE, Aiken, SC 29801 Vision Statement of God's love in the hearts of all, 803 649-3203 truly answering God's holy call. Anchored by faith hope and love in Jesus Christ, Fr. Emmanuel O. Andinam: Administrator we strive to be active disciples, serving each Dr. Chuck Cooper: Deacon Ret. A southern shore bird you did become other and all God’s people by welcoming and Setting up residence in beautiful Charleston. Sunday Readings embracing the enriching diversity of our community Then back north to be with family. First Reading: of faith. Still remembered fondly and frequently Exodus 17:3-7 By your grateful St. Gerard's family. Responsorial Psalm: So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar,* near the plot of land that Jacob Psalm 95: 1-2,6-7,8-9 had given to his son Joseph.a Jacob’s well was there. Jesus, tired from his journey, Worry not about your worthy legacy, Second Reading: sat down there at the well. It was about noon. A woman of Samaria came to draw You left us fully armored in Christianity. Romans 5:1-2,5-8 water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” His disciples had gone into the town Your most effective advice a wellspring : to buy food. * The Samaritan woman said to him, “How can you, a Jew, ask me, a “In Christ Jesus we can do all things.” John 4:5-42 Samaritan woman, for a drink?”b (For Jews use nothing in common with Samar- itans.) * Jesus answered and said to her,c “If you knew the gift of God and who is From the celebration of the day Christ was born saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him and he would have To the joyful of Easter morn Readings for given you living water.” [The woman] said to him, “Sir,* you do not even have a Then all through Advent, Lent, and Time Week of March 7, 2021 bucket and the well is deep; where then can you get this living water? Are you You have helped us the heavenly stairs to climb. greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this well and drank from it himself with d Parishioners, eucharistic ministers, and the choir Monday: 2 Kings 5:1-15; his children and his flocks?” Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who By example and song, we hope to continue to inspire Luke 4:24-30 drinks this water will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks the water I shall give will Your spirit of gratitude, fortitude and unity Tuesday: Daniel 3:25,34-43; never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up e In this your loving St. Gerard Community. Matthew 18:21-35 to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may not As we gave in to your wit and charm, Wednesday: Deuteronomy 4:1,5-9; be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.” John 4:5-15 May the dear Lord welcome you Matthew 5:17-19 with open arms. Thursday: Jeremiah 7:23-28; , Father Don. Luke 11:14-23; March 2, 2021 Friday: Hosea 14:2-10; Mark 12:28-34 Saturday: Hosea 6:1-6; MASS INTENTIONS: Why do we have masses said for people? We may request that a Mass be offered for several Luke 18:9-14 Breaking Bread 2021 reasons: for example, in thanksgiving, for the intentions of another person (such as on a birthday), or, as is most Mas s Times : Weekdays Tues day, Thur s day & Fr iday 8:15 AM, common, for the repose of the soul of someone who has died. We never forget the infinite graces that flow from Firs t Friday: Benediction af ter Mas s Divine mer cy devotion the Sacrifice of the Mass which benefit someone's soul. Pope Leo XIII in his "Mirae caritatis" In Harm's Way: please remember, in your prayers, our nation and the loved ones of our Weekend: Satur day Vigil 4:00 PM Sunday 8:00 & 10:00 AM (1902)beautifully elaborated this point and emphasized the connection between the of saints with the parishioners currently serving In Harm's Conf es s ions : af ter Tues . & Thur s . Mas s es only and by Appointment Mass:"The grace of mutual love among the living strengthened and increased by the sacrament of the , flows, Way. James Ligons, Robert McHugh, Chris Bapt is ms , Marriages and Funerals : By Appointment especially by virtue of the Sacrifice of the Mass, to all who belong to the communion of saints. When we face the death Solenberger. Lord hold our troops in Your Of f ice Hours : 8:30 AM till 1:30 PM Tues ., Weds . & Thur s . of someone, even a person who is not Catholic, to have a Mass offered for the repose of his soul and to offer our Loving Hands protect them as they protect Bible St udy: Fr idays 10:00 AM , Phone conf erence prayers are more beneficial and comforting than any other sympathy card or bouquet of flowers. To have a Mass us. Bless them and their families for the Religious Educat ion: Sundays 9:00 AM Pos t poned due t o Covid19 offered on the occasion of a birthday, anniversary or special need is appropriate, beneficial and appreciated. We have selfless acts they perform for us in our time RCI A: Cont act : Of f ice: 803 649- 3203, so many missed opportunities where there is no requested mass intention. Please consider requesting a mass intention of need. We ask this in the name of Jesus email: ms olenber ger @char les tondioces e.or g for someone who is/was special in your life. our Lord and Savior. Amen Facebook: @s tger ar daiken Webs it e: ht t p: //www.s t gerardaiken.org/ Fax 803 226- 0106 Paris h Emergency number 803 341- 5933 The Legion of Stewardship March 7, 2021 First Reading: Exodus 17:3-7 Mary will be Stewardship reminds us to count our blessings, acknowledge God's gifts to Deacon Chuck’s Corner In those days, in their thirst for water, the people grumbled meeting here us and express thanks to Him by a proportionate giving of our time, talent against Moses, saying, “Why did you ever make us leave Egypt? at 1:30 on and treasure. Was it just to have us die here of thirst with our children and our Fridays when livestock?” So Moses cried out to the LORD, “What shall I do it is safe to A Reflection on The Woman at the Well – John 4:5-42 with this people? a little more and they will stone me!” The Pray for our sick: Mass Intentions: Week of 3/7/2021 do so. We will LORD answered Moses, “Go over there in front of the people, This Sunday, the third Sunday of Lent, we hear in today’s gospel announce the along with some of the elders of Israel, holding in your hand, as Rosa Johnson 8:00 AM Sunday-For our parish the story of the encounter and conversation of Jesus and the Sa- resumption. you go, the staff with which you struck the river. I will be Jean Schodowski 10:00 AM Sunday-For our parish maritan woman at the well. Let’s look at two definitions of thirst: standing there in front of you on the rock in Horeb. Strike the Aiken Curia Paula Thurston 8:15 AM Tuesday-For our parish rock, and the water will flow from it for the people to drink.” will meet Denise Gelinas 8:15 AM Thursday-For our parish 1 – a dryness of mouth associated with dehydration and the need This Moses did, in the presence of the elders of Israel. The place here on the Jeanette Coleman 8:15 AM Friday-For our parish for liquids; 2nd Saturday 4:00 PM Saturday-For our parish Pastoral Council: was called Massah and Meribah, because the Israelites quarreled of each month Names will remain in the bulletin for Council Chair: 2 – a strong desire or craving. there and tested the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD in our midst when it is safe or not?” to do so. one month, unless you notify the Agnes Beckert parish office that the name of the sick ahb1969@ No doubt Jesus was physically thirsty after traveling on foot for a We will Perpetual Novena Tuesdays after the 8:15 person should be removed or remain yahoo.com long way and the woman at the well was getting water for her Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 95: 1-2,6-7,8-9 announce the Mass In honor of Our Lady of the Response: If today you hear his voice, harden not your resumption. longer. Thank you. Secretary: family as well as a drink for herself. Yet our Lord is able to per- Miraculous Medal ceive a thirst in her of the other kind – a thirst of her soul which hearts. Joan Hesik craves Jesus – His peace, reconciliation and salvation only He Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD; let us acclaim the Rock Saturday March 13 Sunday March 14 Sunday March 14 Other Members: can give her. of our salvation. Let us come into his presence with 4:00 PM Vigil Mass 8:00 AM Mass 10:00 AM Mass Janet Menefee thanksgiving; let us joyfully sing psalms to him. Lector: Diane Begic Mary Kay L’Esperance Sheila Wagner Payson Borst St. Augustine wrote: Although Jesus asked for a drink, His real R/ E E M: Ellen Heim Roger Gelinas Jeanette Coleman Jacqueline Brown thirst was for this woman’s faith. When we look at the crucifix, it Sacristan: Joan Hesik Come, let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the Fredrick Cadek is good to remember Jesus’ words from the cross: I thirst. Jesus is LORD who made us. For he is our God, and we are the people ACTS needs help on Monday mornings restocking the food pantry and help in food Gregory Wright thirsty for our salvation, thirsty for our faith and our love. he shepherds, the flock he guides. Patricia Hayes distribution at various times. They are wearing masks and using precautions for R/ Dennis HooChung Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta often meditated on these words Oh, that today you would hear his voice “Harden not your volunteers, clients, and their own employees. Call (803)-649-3800 for help for yourself of Jesus from the cross. She shared this meditation with the Mis- hearts as at Meribah, as in the day of Massah in the desert, or to get Information about volunteering. sionaries of Charity she founded and in every convent of the sis- Where your fathers tempted me; they tested me though they had Finance Council: ters throughout the world, the words “I thirst” are displayed Chairman: seen my works.” beneath an arm of the crucifix. Mother Teresa wanted the sisters R/ KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS Larry McHale to realize that Jesus is thirsting for our love, our affection, our Secretary: intimate attachment for Him and our sharing of His passion. God Second Reading: Romans 5:1-2,5-8 Each year the Aiken Knights of Columbus Council #3684 awards scholarship assistance to eligible Agnes Beckert, is thirsting for us to come forward to satiate His thirst by giving applicants for tuition-based high schools and college (excluding Grad School). Scholarships are Brothers and sisters: Since we have been justified by faith, Other Members: him our love and by spreading His love to thirsty souls through- we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, based solely on ability and will be awarded based on school grades, standardized test scores, quality Anna Marie Key out the world. of the essay submitted, letters of recommendation, and community or extracurricular involvement. through whom we have gained access by faith to this grace in Fran Gellman which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God. With few exceptions, scholarship assistance will require a minimum grade average of B or 3.00/4.00 Jesus was thirsty for the soul of the Samaritan woman and We need 1 more And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been and 1000/1600 or higher SAT scores (or equivalent). All scholarship applications must be received brought her to faith. She, in turn, went forth to being the good member poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been by April 30, 2021. All scholarships awarded are renewable upon reapplication provided a recipient News to her people. maintains a B or 3.00/4.00 grade average and is a worthy campus citizen. Scholarship interviews Auditors: given to us. For Christ, while we were still helpless, George Heh may be an integral part of the evaluation. For more information or an application form, call Tom In prayer, let us hear Jesus saying to each of us, “I thirst”. Imag- died at the appointed time for the ungodly. Indeed, only with Meisner at (803) 649-4721 or Chuck Goergen at (803) 215-9099. John Burke ine Jesus saying these words personally and directly to you. We difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a can then respond to these words by being generous with Jesus good person one might even find courage to die. But God proves with our time, giving Him attention throughout our day and his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for Dates: 2/27/2021-2/28/2021 Dates: 2/29/2020-3/1/2020 spending time with Him in prayer. Amen. us. The Gospel is on the cover USCCB Current Year Previous Year Budget Offering Over/ Annual Over/ Budget Offering Over/ Annual Over/ Bible Study has resumed by telecon. Our text will be: The : A Short History Hans Kung 2003. Purchase your own Needs/ Received Short Received Short Needs/ Received Short Received Short copy, for about $8. Contact Michele for the call in number Michele Bullington, 803-599-8302, [email protected] Goal To Date Goal To Date 2,894 2,159 (735) 19,375 (6,671) 2,612 3,404 792 23,508 3,534 As we have done in previous years, the St Gerard Mercy Tree will hold your personal petitions. We ask the Lord to hear those petitions during the Prayers of the Faithful. Petition tags are available on the table at the front of the church Attendance by the baptismal font. Please write your petition on the tag and place it in the tag basket. Someone from the Liturgy Committee will place Current 4:00 8:00 10:00 Total Previous 4:00 8:00 10:00 AM Total the tags on the tree. On Holy Saturday, during the Easter Vigil, the petition tags will become one with the new fire from which the Year PM AM AM Year PM AM , the Light of Christ, is lit for the first time. Thank you to all who supported our collection last weekend for Our Lady of the Valley Food Pantry. Please place a reminder on your phone or calendar that our next collection is the 3rd weekend of March - the 20th – 21st . A most needed list will be available and the 2021 18 19 20 57 2020 55 33 38 126 March Fun Food Item will be announced on the 2nd weekend. As always any food donations are welcome at any time during the month; however, our focused collection will be the 3rd of each month. We ask every family to participate in the focused collection