OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA 5th SUNDAY OF EASTER MAY 2, 2021 Reverend Jacob Almeter, Pastor Rev. Mr. Ron Carr, Deacon Rev. Mr. Timothy Hughes, Deacon Rev. Mr. Henry Nieves, Deacon

Our Lady Star of the Sea weekly schedule Mondays No Daily Mass Tuesdays 5:00 pm & Adoration, 5:30 pm Daily Mass Wednesdays 7:30 am Rosary, 8:00 am Daily Mass Thursdays 7:30 am Rosary, 8:00 am Daily Mass Fridays 7:30 am Rosary, 8:00 am Daily Mass 1st Fridays 8:00 am Mass @ Historic Chapel 2:00 pm— 3:00 pm 3:00 pm - 3:40 pm Chaplet Daily Chapel Saturdays 3:45 pm Confession - Main Church 5:00 pm Mass Sundays 11:00 am Mass 2:00 pm Mass

Saint Francis of Assisi weekly schedule Wednesdays 5:00 pm Confession 6:00 pm Daily Mass Sundays 8:30 am Mass

E-Mail: [email protected] [email protected] Website: www.weareolss.org Office Hours 9AM—2PM Church Office: 912-882-4718 Fax: 912-882-5845 After Hours Emergency: 912-882-3760 Confessions: OLSS—3:45 Saturdays, SFoA—5PM Wednesdays, or by Appointment

Deacons: Ron Carr: 912-576-0114; Tim Hughes; 912-322-2947; Henry Nieves: 912-674-7023 Parish Secretary: Susan Bayless: 904-612-6143 Parish Council: Bryant Shepard:912-673-7377 (OLSS) ; Tina Baxter: [email protected] (SFoA) Parish Bookkeeper: Linda Jordan: 912-882-4718 ext 102 Finance Council: Lloyd Streit Ladies Auxiliary: Susan Sartain: 912-617-8990 Religious Education: Tim & Rhonda Hughes 912-729-2406 Health Ministry: Peg Hudock: 678-642-2893 Hospitality/Bereavement: Victoria Brooks: 912-322-6857 Virtus: Sallie Galyean Knights of Columbus 11058 & Ave Maria Assembly 3391: Josh Miller: 912-552-2284; [email protected] Cursillo Chrissy Bundrick: 912-729-5705 Catholic Youth Ministry: Tom & Tricia Jenkins: 912-882-9433, Chrissy Bundrick: 912-729-5705 Good Samaritan Outreach: Lena Brathwaite Bell: 912-266-4969 Lectors/Eucharistic Ministers/Altar Servers/Ushers: Contact church office Music Ministry: Mike Anderson: 912-729-2409 [email protected] Legion of Mary: Sherry-Ann Jenkins: [email protected] Young Adult Ministry (YAMS): Bobbi Harrill: 912-409-5275 [email protected] PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK Olivia A. Leyva, Dan Riley, Stephanie Kline, Mary Angela Morrissey, Darlene Logan, Tom O’Shaughnessy, Mary Stoffer, Tess Sopp, Anthony Correnti, Claire Walsh, Betty Scott, Elizabeth Newcity, Minter Garvin, Jr., Ronald S Russell, Corrine Schultz, Tim Kelly, Kathy Spooner, Rosemarie Rogoish, Robert & Marie Devine, Christine Thornton, Diane Schafer, Lenny Pulcini, Diane Foster, Chuck Hollosy, Brian & Crystal Benton, George Beaver, Bill Maxwell, David Brown, Drew Hawkes, Jean Latham, Dub & Marcia Shepard, Mary Ellen Ocanas, Katelyn Hemel, John McCoy, Pearlie Taylor, Barbara Daniel, Harry Lewis, Jeannie Reid, Bryant Shepard, Tamara Salatino, Paige Mack, Maryann Araiza, George Hurley, Doris Adams, Sandra Pacquin, Chuck & Peggy Trader, Barbara Mascilak, Stephanie Paxton, Ruth McNeil, Frank McNeil, Lenda Morris, Dustin Lee, Vic Unnone, Peggy Schwarting, Daniel Brausch To add a name to the prayer list please email [email protected] STEADFAST IN FAITH As of 4/22/2021 OLSS PLEDGED PLEDGE SFoA PLEDGED PLEDGE BALANCE TARGET TARGET BALANCE $34,488.00 $ 3,305.00 $ 1,815.00 $ 2,931.00 $ 120.00 $ 90.00 ONE TIME TOTAL % OF ONE TIME TOTAL % OF GIVEN TARGET GIVEN TARGET $ 25,009.00 $ 26,499.00 76.84% $ 2,695.75 $ 2,725.75 93.00%

# OF # OF % # OF # OF % FAMILIES DONORS SUPPORT FAMILIES DONORS SUPPORT 466 120 25.75% 41 16 39.02

La Escuela Catequética Fray Pedro de Corpa está COUNTERS NEEDED!!!! ofreciendo un curso virtual gratuito titulado Liturgia y If you are interested in assisting with the counting Sacramentos con el Padre Victor Canela ST, iniciando el 4 de mayo de 2021. Tu puedes registrarte directamente en the monies collected at Mass, please contact Father el siguiente enlace bit.ly/3wXvzzp. Si tienes alguna Jake, Diane Brown or the office. You will be added pregunta llama al (912) 201-4100, escribe por WhatsApp to a team consisting of 3 other individuals. The al 912-201-4067 o envía un correo a [email protected] counting teams meet either on Sundays at 6PM or Mondays at 9AM

Se invita a todos los coordinadores de Grupos de Oración en español de la Diócesis de Savannah a participar en la primera reunión virtual de Grupos de Oración, la cual tiene como objetivo conocernos y crear comunidad. Fecha: 4 de mayo de 2021 a las 7 p.m. Se le enviará el LATIN MASS enlace de Zoom luego que usted se registre en el enlace https://bit.ly/3tkzGD8 o nos envíe un correo Beginning May 11th, the Latin Mass will be the electrónico [email protected] o un mensaje de WhatsApp a 2nd Sunday of every month at 2PM. 912-201-4067. READINGS FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 3rd Monday: 1 Cor 15:1-8; Ps 19:2-5; Jn 14:6-14 Tuesday: Acts 14:19-28; Ps 145:10-13, 21; Jn 14:27-31 Wednesday: Acts 15:1-6; Ps 122:1-5; Jn 15:1-8 Thursday: Acts 15:7-21; Ps 96:1-3, 10; Jn 15:9-11 Friday: Acts 15:22-31; Ps 57:8-10, 12; Jn 15:12-17 Saturday: Acts 16:1-10; Ps 100:1-3, 5; Jn 15:18-21 Sunday: Acts 10:25-36, 34-35, 44-48; Ps 98:1-4; 1 Jn 4:7-10 or 1 Jn 4:11-16; Jn 15:9-17 or Jn 17:11-19

Knights of Columbus Charities annual fundraising is underway. KofC charities and charitable actions take place throughout the US and around the world. Tickets will be available after each Saturday and Sunday Mass thru May 8th & 9th. The raffle will consist of 3 drawings held on May 15, 2021, with prizes of $5, 000. (1st), $2,500. (2nd) and $1,000. (3rd) prize. Also, if you “Shop at smile.amazon.com they will donate 0.5% of eligible purchases to your favorite charitable organization. They charge no fees, no extra cost.” https://smile.amazon.com “Knights of Columbus Charities of Georgia, Inc.” OLSS COMPARISONS FROM LAST YEAR SFoA COMPARISONS FROM LAST YEAR

APR 25, 2021 APR 26, 2020 APR 25, 2021 APR 26, 2020 Collection $ 6,516.50 Collection $ 4,578.50 Collection $ 515.00 Collection 2,075.00 Mortgage $ 320.00 Mortgage $ 280.00 Mortgage $ 370.00 Mortgage $ 300.00

St. Francis of Assisi News:  All ladies of SFoA are invited to join the Cursillo group on Tuesdays at 9:30AM for fellowship and prayer. Make a friend, be a friend with . We hope to see you there.  School of Leaders Zoom—1st Tuesday of each month at 7pm. Contact George Constantino for meeting code.

THERE WILL BE ADORATION EVERY FRIDAY IN THE DAILY CHAPEL UNTIL NOON. The Homily The ambo, or pulpit, is a special place—it is the place for God’s word. That is why it is not used for all the spoken words of the Mass, even important words like the collects and the blessing. The ambo is only used for the scripture readings, and for the homily and the prayer of the faithful. The homily is part of the Liturgy of the Word. It flows from the readings we have just heard, and helps us to understand the way in which God is speaking to us today. The homily is not a lecture, a catechism lesson, or a speech. It is more like an exhortation; it has an urgency about it, for it calls us to find ourselves in the scripture, to live the faith we profess, to see our world by the light of the . The homily, in itself a response to God’s word, demands a response from us. There are many styles of preaching and many ways to respond to the scriptures. But whether the homily is weak or strong, an open ear and an open heart can find in it an abundance of spiritual nourishment. REFLECTIONS ON THE READINGS The story of the early Church that we hear from the Acts of the Apostles during the Easter season is instructive and inspiring. We learn how the community grew in their understanding of what it means to remain close to in the most challenging of situations. When Saul has an encounter with the risen Jesus he converts. After a period of formation, Saul begins proclaiming that Jesus is the Messiah. His bold words provoke people to try to kill him, so he flees. The Christians in Jerusalem hesitate to accept Saul since he once attacked them. But Barnabas risked believing Saul’s testimony. Through Barnabas, the community accepted Saul, with increasing numbers of people being led to belief in Christ as a result. Endangered, Saul, who dragged Christians out of their homes to imprison them, is now himself cast out and persecuted. This experience is only the first step of the suffering he will endure for the sake of God’s name. Luke assures his readers that God is faithful to his promises: God’s kingdom comes first to the Jews, then goes forth from there to Gentiles. By noting Saul’s visit to Jerusalem, the heart of Judaism, Luke shows God fulfilling his promises. He also portrays a church united in its mission. We too are called to live in word and deed, taking to heart Christ’s command to love one another, even when it is challenging to do so. We may find inspiration in the way the early believers drew consolation from the Holy Spirit, finding wisdom and strength to keep the commandments and do what pleases God. In the reading from St. John's first letter, he talks about our hearts condemning us. He is referring to the shame we feel when we do something sinful. When he says God is greater than our hearts he means that even when we know we have sinned, even if we feel unworthy to be forgiven, God is still a forgiving God, who doesn't wait for us to be "worthy." He patiently waits for us to ask for his mercy, to want his forgiveness. So when we confess our sins, we need not doubt that we are forgiven. But sometimes we feel shame when we have done nothing wrong. It may be something simple, like sneezing in the quiet part of a symphony. Or perhaps something more serious, such as when you accidentally hurt someone. That is when it is good to remember that God knows what happened and still loves us. The best way to remember this is by living as God commands, by loving God and our neighbor. If you believe in Jesus, you love God, because you trust that God sent his Son to save us. So we know that God forgives us even before we ask him to. If you love your neighbor, then you reach out to the person you hurt, instead of hiding in shame, and try to help them. When we stop living in shame and start living in love, we know that lives in us. For when God lives in us and we live in him, we won't ask for anything trivial or selfish. His Spirit teaches us how to pray with confidence and faith. We pray as Jesus taught in the Lord's Prayer: "Thy will be done." Our love and trust in God will help us to accept whatever God sends our way. Today’s reading from the is part of Jesus’ discourse at the . He provides them with a series of instructions and speaks about his relationship to his disciples. In his metaphor of the vine and the branches, Jesus is referencing the Hebrew Scriptures. Prophets in the Old Testament readily compared Israel to God’s vine or vineyard. Although God planted and protected Israel, his vine, the people did not always uphold his laws. In punishment God allowed his people to be attacked and even uprooted. Jesus is the faithful vine that will flourish forever. At the Last Supper, Jesus faced the prospect of leaving his disciples. He wanted them to know that although he would no longer be with them physically, his presence would nonetheless still be very real and active among them. And so, Jesus used the image of the vine to describe the ongoing connection he would have with his followers even after his death and resurrection. When Jesus calls himself the he makes clear that no one can grow in spiritual fruitfulness and moral goodness unless they are rooted in God and in his life-giving word. Jesus offers true life - the abundant life which comes from God and which results in great fruitfulness. How does the vine become fruitful? The vine dresser must carefully prune the vine before it can bear good fruit. Vines characteristically have two kinds of branches - those which bear fruit and those which don't. The non-bearing branches must be carefully pruned back in order for the vine to conserve its strength for bearing good fruit. Jesus used this image to describe the kind of life he produces in those who are united with him - the fruit of "righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit". Jesus says there can be no fruit in our lives apart from him. The fruit he speaks of here is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Those who reject Jesus are the branches that are entirely removed. Those who believe in Jesus remain part of the vine, but they need help to become stronger, more faithful, and more productive disciples. In this passage, Jesus teaches his disciples that his relationship with them will not end after his death; he will remain with them always. This unity between Jesus and his disciples is the basis for their ability to continue to do the work that he began. Just as the branch is vitally connected to the vine, so the believer is vitally connected to Jesus. And just as, apart from the vine, the branch shrivels up and dies, so those who are not connected to Jesus have no life within them. Similarly, Jesus’ presence with us through the Gift of the Holy Spirit enables us to continue the work of love and reconciliation that he began. The gift of the Spirit will help believers to remain part of the true vine. To remain part of the vine is to become one with the Father because Jesus and the Father are one. Since the Father alone is the vine grower, only by remaining in Jesus can a person bear fruit. The disciples are entirely dependent on Jesus, who, for his part, has entirely entrusted himself to his Father. Just as Jesus perfectly does God’s will and so is heard by his Father, so will God hear the prayers of Jesus’ disciples, as long as their prayers flow from their love for and commitment to Jesus. God’s intention in creating the world was that all people, all creation, would be in perfect love and unity. Such a perfect world would reflect the goodness of the God who created it. God is thus glorified whenever people treat one another with sincere love. Since Jesus is the symbol of perfect love, those who believe in him and live as he taught glorify God. We are either fruit-bearing or non-fruit-bearing. There is no in-between. But the bearing of healthy fruit requires drastic pruning. The Lord promises that we will bear much fruit if we abide in him and allow him to purify us. Religious affiliation or association with spiritually minded people is not sufficient by itself - one must be firmly rooted in the "Tree of Life" who is the eternal Father and his only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus makes a claim which only God can make - he is the true source of life that sustains us and makes us fruitful in living the abundant life which God has for us. It is only through Jesus Christ that one can be fully grafted into the true "vineyard of the Lord". Jesus also teaches his disciples about the importance of the words he has taught to them. Just as Jesus will remain in the disciples, so too will his words. We come to know Jesus through the Scriptures, the living Word of God. Our commitment to be Christ’s disciples is sustained through God’s Word. This commitment is also strengthened by our life of prayer and nourished by the . Through the Eucharist, Jesus dwells in us, remains with us, and transforms us so that we might bear fruit in his name. At the Eucharist, we gather to witness the transformation of “the fruit of the vine and work of human hands” into the very life blood of Christ. It is the source of our life and its highest expression. We offer with the gifts of bread and wine all that we are and all that we have done. It does not always seem like much. But we offer it precisely so that it can be transformed into something beyond our power to achieve. Pondering the mystery of the life of Jesus within us will make us grow in our longing to be united with him through Holy Communion. And it strengthens our sense of unity with other Christian believers throughout the world. We observe many people who act in ways that show their commitment to serve their neighbor. Christians and non-Christians feed the hungry, care for the sick, shelter the homeless, and give alms to the poor. These actions become acts of Christian discipleship when they are motivated by our relationship with Jesus. Whatever the immediate results, Jesus promises us that these actions will bear fruit when we undertake them in his name. Jesus uses the metaphor of the vine and branches to describe how closely we are called to remain with him— so close that we bear the fruit of his life and love in the way we live. When we do this, Jesus says, we give glory to God the Father, which Jesus did perfectly through his life, passion, death, and resurrection. Like plants that rely on the sun and nutrients from the soil, we rely on the Lord Jesus through whom we can do all for which we are called. Without the Lord, we can do nothing. We can do nothing good without God’s grace. Though this may be hard to hear at first, we should ponder it regularly. And if we do ponder it and embrace this truth, two things will happen in our souls. First, we will grow in humility. Humility is the most important virtue in which we can grow. It’s been referred to as “the mother of all virtues.” This is because from this virtue, all other virtues flow. Humility means we realize that God is everything and that we need Him with a 100% need. This humble truth will enable us to seek God in all things and to invite Him deeply into every part of our lives. A second thing that will happen in our souls when we realize that we can do nothing without God is that we will grow in gratitude. As we see that God is everything AND we begin to see that He provides us with constant grace in our lives, our only appropriate response will be “Thank you!” We will be grateful to God for everything because we will realize that everything that is good is a gift from Him.

First Friday Devotion May 7, 2021

The First Friday Devotions are a set of to recognize the of Jesus, and through it offer reparations for sins. In the visions of Christ reported by Saint in the 17th century, several promises were made to those people who practiced the First Fridays Devotions. Jesus told St. Margaret Mary Alacoque to “make reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for the sin and ingratitude of mankind because His heart is wounded. These wounds hurt us.” Jesus told St. Faustina that He is “clamoring to pour His Divine Mercy upon the whole world. But His heart is wounded and by our reparation to that Sacred Heart of Jesus, His blood and water of divine mercy will pour out to the whole world.” We each have the ability to heal the wounds of His heart by making reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, every first Friday of the month. Now Jesus told St. Mary Alacoque how to do that. We call this the devotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Those who faithfully complete the for nine consecutive months are promised the following, as told to Roman Catholic St. Margaret Mary Alacoque by Our Lord Jesus Christ: I will give them all of the graces necessary for their of life. I will establish peace in their homes. I will comfort them in all their afflictions. I will be their strength during life and above all during death. I will bestow a large blessing upon all their undertakings. Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and the infinite ocean of mercy. Tepid souls shall grow fervent. Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection. I will bless every place where a picture of my heart shall be set up and honored. I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts. Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be blotted out. I promise you in the excessive mercy of My Heart that My all-powerful love will grant all to those who communicate on the First Friday in nine consecutive months the grace of final penitence, they shall not die in My disgrace nor without receiving their sacraments. My Divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in the last moment.

To gain these blessings there are just 3 simple requirements to complete each First Friday for nine consecutive months. Attend Holy Mass Receive Communion† Go to Confession ††

† Catholic resources on this devotion say that if you are unable to receive Holy Communion in person you can receive spiritual communion and receive communion in person when possible. †† Catholic resources on this devotion say that in order to receive Communion in a state of grace, a person should also make use of the before attending Mass. You should go to confession within the month of the devotion. If you are unable to go in person, then you can say an act of contrition and go to confession when possible in person.

“The Homily Continues” Mass Readings explained Adult Bible Study by Dr Pietre returning Tuesday, May 11th at 6:30 pm in Social Hall. If you’re looking for a deeper understanding of our Sunday readings this is the place to be! Video presentation begins at 6:30pm. Understand the scriptures like never before.

A lite bagged snack will be available. Come join us for an evening of learning, fellowship and fun.

**Social distancing will be in place and mask are highly recommended as per our Diocese guidelines.

OLSS Hospitality ministry is resuming . If you are looking for a place to serve your parish this might be for you ! We serve in many ways ... kids movie nights, senior homes birthday cakes, parish events, and so much more ! We meet every 3rd Monday at 6pm in the social hall. Come join us ! Next meeting is May 17th, we will be planning the first kids movie night and our big yard sale in September.