SAINT MARGARET OF SCOTLAND CATHOLIC CHURCH AND SCHOOL APRIL 7, 2019 FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST Saturday 4:30 p.m. & Sunday 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Monday thru Friday at 6:30 a.m. and Fridays at 8:00 a.m. on school days Holy Days and holidays as published in Sunday Bulletin SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Saturday 3:45 to 4:15 p.m. PǑǢǙǣǘ MǙǣǣǙǟǞ SǤǑǤǕǝǕǞǤ SǓǘǟǟǜ MǙǣǣǙǟǞ SǤǑǤǕǝǕǞǤ Saint Margaret of Scotland Church St. Margaret of Scotland Parish School is a diverse, urban, Catholic parish. is a diverse, urban, vibrant, and Inspired by the Holy Spirit and the inclusive Catholic community. We example of our patroness, we are promise a challenging learning called to be a vibrant voice and beacon environment for children, pre- of the Catholic faith in our kindergarten through eighth grade, in which they neighborhoods. realize their academic potential and giftedness in body, mind and spirit. Our students embody the We proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and example of our patron saint as responsible leaders action by: and caretakers of our community through works of Praying and celebrating as a Eucharistic service and social justice. community, Educating children and adults to live a full Christian life in today’s world, Serving others with unconditional generosity, and Living just lives and working for a more just society. CǟǞǤǑǓǤ IǞǖǟǢǝǑǤǙǟǞ PASTOR: Rev. Matthew L. O’Toole [email protected] TǟǗǕǤǘǕǢ ǙǞ BǑǠǤǙǣǝ RECTORY: 3854 Flad Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63110 We welcome to the church the Office: 314-776-0363 newly baptized John Michael Carmody son of Patrick and Laura STAFF DIRECTORY AVAILABLE AT: Carmody and Vera Rae VerHeul www.stmargaretstl.org/Staff daughter of Aaron and Amanda SCHOOL : 3964 Castleman Avenue VerHeul. Please join us in congratulating these Saint Louis, MO 63110 parents upon the baptism of their children. We Office: 314-776-7837 pledge them our continued, prayerful support ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY: throughout the journey of Christian parenting. For emergency assistance call: 314-772-2219 PARISH WEBSITE: www.stmargaretstl.org PARISH EMAIL: [email protected] SCHOOL WEBSITE: www.smos-school.org FACEBOOK PAGE: www.facebook.com/SMOSstl BULLETIN ARTICLE DEADLINE Youth Group host Lenten Dinner - Friday, April 12 : Monday, 2:00 p.m. Masterworks Chorale Celtic Music Concert - E-mail submissions to: Friday, May 3 [email protected] School Auction “Kentucky Derby”- Saturday, May 4 Parish-School Picnic - Friday, May 17 Julie Hesed - Principal Celebration - Sunday, May 19 SǠǕǓǙǑǜ AǞǞǟǥǞǓǕǝǕǞǤ It is with great joy I announce today that Clare Abkemeier will become the new principal of St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic School. After two months of collaboration with those in our parish and school, listening sessions, networking, and an extensive interview process, Ms. Abkemeier was unanimously and enthusiastically recommended to me by the committee as the next leader of our parish school. She will succeed Juliann DePalma Hesed, who has wonderfully served St. Margaret of Scotland for thirteen years as principal. Ms. Hesed shepherded our school during an era of remarkable growth while fostering our reputation of individual care for each student’s academic and spiritual development. Based on Ms. Abkemeier’s professional experience and widespread accolades, the committee and I are confident she will serve our students, faculty, parents, and community in a way that continues to promote our most cherished values. Ms. Abkemeier has been an educator with the Archdiocese of St. Louis since 2012. She previously served as the founding principal of the St. John Paul II campus of Holy Cross Academy from 2016-2019. Prior to this, she was a second and third grade teacher at the St. Michael the Archangel campus of Holy Cross Academy. She received her Bachelor of Arts with a focus in Elementary Education from Benedictine College and a Master of Arts in Catholic School Leadership from Saint Louis University. Ms. Abkemeier was born and raised in St. Louis. She attended St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and Ursuline Academy. In her free time, she likes to spend time with her family, friends, and golden retriever, Cooper. Ms. Abkemeier is excited to join the St. Margaret of Scotland parish and school community, and she is committed to preserving the tremendous progress St. Margaret has made while continuing to promote our mission and unique charism. In the weeks and months ahead, Ms. Abkemeier will become more familiar with the St. Margaret of Scotland community through meet-and-greet opportunities as well as transitional planning with Ms. Hesed, faculty, and staff. She will also be involved in the search for an assistant principal and the hiring of new teachers for next school year. I am grateful for the time and wisdom shared by the members of our principal search committee: Sean Agniel, Eric Clark, Elizabeth Deboo, Becky Finnegan, Rita Harvatin, Bryan Kujawa, Michael Marquard, Virginia Purcell, and Arsenia Tate. They took a professional and prayerful approach to the search, ensuring that the application process and discernment were rooted in the values of St. Margaret. Equally important were the ongoing prayers of the community, in particular the novena to St. Margaret. Thank you for your prayerful support. Join me in giving God thanks for what has been accomplished and asking good counsel for how our school will be led to grow in Grace as we move into our future. St. Margaret of Scotland – pray for us! Reverend Matthew O’Toole Pastor In the Masses at which we celebrate a Scrutiny Rite, the A cycle readings are used. These are the ancient archetypal Gospel narratives for Christian Initiation. The year C readings are used for Masses at which there is no Rite. From Cycle A: This raising of Lazarus is surely seen as one of the greatest of Jesus’ miracles. The unfolding of the narrative is a deeply engaging human story, ǒǩ PǕǤǕǢ FǙǣǘǕǢ HǕǣǕǔ full of love and sorrow, resentment and hope, culminating in an awe inspiring, indelible dramatic moment. But this was not the action through which Jesus vanquished death and brought eternal life to all who believe. Jesus’ friend Lazarus returned to his earthly life, causing joy and wonder, but only for a time. He would die again. The raising of Lazarus is a miracle, and like every miracle it postpones sickness and death. But the miraculous works of Jesus are important signs, promises made in this life of the gift of the life to come. The eternal life promised in this Gospel is experienced in the Resurrection of Jesus. This gift does not abolish death, just as it did not negate Jesus’ own passion and death. Rather, it transcends it. We are all challenged to believe this whenever a loved one dies. Jesus’ words to Martha are spoken to us: “Do you believe this?” She answers on our behalf: “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.” We all aspire to this faith in Jesus, who reveals himself as the resurrection and the life. If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his Spirit dwelling in you. (Romans 8) STEWARDSHIP CORNER ThePreserving Our Future campaign is well underway, and the generosity of our St. Margaret of Scotlandcommunity isevident! To date, our campaign has raisedover $1,137,540 toward our goals: air conditioning for our school and necessary renovations for our church. Our volunteers have already begun reaching out individually to members of ourparishand school. Thank you for being receptive to their call! It’s an exciting time for our parish, and your cooperation, your consideration and your support ofSt. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church is much appreciated! April Is Alcohol Awareness Month DON’T DRINK and DRIVE Drinking too much alcohol increases people’s risk of injuries, violence, drowning, liver disease, and some types of cancer. This April, during Alcohol Awareness Month, educate yourself and your loved ones about the dangers of drinking. ǒǩ MǑǢǩ BǕǤǘ CǥǢǢǑǞPǕǤǕǢǣ If you are drinking too much, you can improve your health by cutting back or quitting. Here are some strategies to help you cut back or stop drinking: Limit your drinking to no more than 1 drink a day for women or 2 drinks a day for men. Keep track of how much you drink. Choose a day each week when you will not drink. Don’t drink when you are upset. Limit the amount of alcohol you keep at home. Avoid places where people drink a lot. Make a list of reasons not to drink. If you are concerned about someone else’s drinking, offer to help. Check with your doctor about drinking if: You're pregnant or trying to become pregnant. You've been diagnosed with alcoholism or alcohol abuse, or you have a strong family history of alcoholism. You've had a stroke (when a blood vessel in your brain leaks or rup- tures). You have liver or pancreatic disease. You have heart failure or you've been told you have a weak heart. You take prescription or over-the-counter medications that can interact with alcohol. If you don't drink alcohol, don't start. However, if you drink a light to moderate amount and you're healthy, you can probably continue as long as you drink responsibly. Be sure to check with your doctor about what's right for your health and safety. http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm. MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR BULLETIN ARTICLES Dragon Derby Day DEADLINE FOR EASTER HOLIDAYS Join us for a Kentucky Derby-themed dinner, entertainment, and silent & live auctions on Palm Sunday, April 14 need articles Monday, April Saturday, May 4 from 5:00 p.m.