ST. KIERAN CATHOLIC CHURCH March 21, 2021: The Fifth Sunday of Lent St. Kieran Parish, Shelby Township Page 2 PLEASE PRAY FOR Mallia’s Moments THOSE REQUESTING A Gospel reflection from Father Joe and an update on PRAYER upcoming events happening around the parish Names will remain on our sick list for 6 weeks. After 6 weeks contact the Parish Office if you wish to place the name In today’s Gospel, Jesus utters these words, “I am troubled now. Yet back on the list. Names will what should I say? Father save me from this hour?” This verse provides us remain on our military list for with a really good source of reflection on how to approach challenges in 1 year. our lives. Jesus experienced the question that many of us face in difficulty, why? He had just told his disciples that he was going to die, but as difficult as that reality was, he also knew that his strength would come from his SICK LIST relationship to the Father. Andrew Akash No one ever said being faithful to the Lord was going to be easy. We Andy Antishin will all experience moments when we think we should just give up, but what Steve Bartin would that do. Our lives, in joy and in struggle is to witness to the Shirley Besler goodness of God. Jesus said to the above question, “Glorify your name”. Frances Burnett That is what we should all seek to do with our lives as well; to glorify the Lucas Cauley Lord. Carla Daniels It is simply too easy to say that we are “blessed” when things go the way we want, but do we see ourselves as “blessed” when they don’t? Have we Marina Darling not experienced good that came out of difficulty? I know that I have. Life Gedediah Dowd is full of times when we think we are in the depths of darkness, only to see Joyce Hornfischer the glimmer of light that shines and then overtakes the dark. Even in Richard Jakubec death, God has promised us that we would share in his everlasting light. Kevin Klott Now, no one should go and purposely immerse themselves in difficult Jesse Malczyk situations. Life offers us plenty of opportunities to express our faith in Carmella Martz God in difficulty with us adding to the problem, but when challenges come are we ready to glorify the Lord? Pamela Mleczko Even in the Gospel for the scrutiny for today, the reading is the raising Alice Mirochna of Lazarus. Jesus challenged Martha to answer a difficult question at what William Olszewski may have been the hardest moment of her life. Jesus asked her, “do you Charlotte Pelshaw believe this” in regard to him being the resurrection and the life. Once she Fred Posavetz paused to think about what Jesus was asking, she responded by saying that Raymond Schihl she did believe. By doing so, Martha was able to be strengthened by that Lisa Shadeck faith in the Lord and so can we. Tresa Spencer Our faith has to be more than a declaration or an acclamation in times of joy and light. Faith is a lived response to the real presence of God in our Bob Stamos lives. So, as we enter into this Fifth week of Lent, before we prepare to MILITARY LIST draw ourselves to the foot of the cross and to the empty tomb; today, we Drake Blight– NG must answer the question posed to Martha, “do you believe this”? Joseph Deagan-N If your answer is “yes” then be prepared to witness to your yes in joy Brian Hasse—N and in sorrow. You were born again in faith through baptism and given every spiritual blessing in the heavens to not only endure but to glorify the Spenser Horwedel-AF Father at all times. May the Lord be praised through your witness. Mike Kwasnik-N As Holy Week approaches: Rick Kwasnik-N Even though you may have made plans on where you may be for “spring Daniel Otten-A break”, remember that it is still Holy Week on the most important calendar Joseph Pellerito– CG we have, our liturgical calendar. So, I am going to ask you to take some Capt Steven Pickett-M time and think about how you are going to make the most important week Jacob Risner-A of our faith year important this year. No matter where you find yourself Patrick Roberts-A physically, make sure you do not sacrifice yourself spiritually. Have a great week. Scott Socia-AF St. Kieran Parish, Shelby Township Page 3 Deacon Russ Reflects Holy Week Schedule Today is the Fifth Sunday of Lent. Although many of us will hear the scripture readings from Cycle B, those who attend the Mass where the third scrutiny will be held for our RCIA Palm Sunday Masses & candidates will her the story of the raising of Lazarus from Distribution of Palms the Gospel of John. In my reflection this week, I will provide some information on the “new” role that these siblings - Mary, Martha, and Lazarus - will play in our Church March 27th: 4:30pm calendar. March 28th Recognizing their welcome of and witness to Christ, on 8:00am February 2nd of this year, Pope Francis approved changing 9:30am the liturgical feast of St. Martha to include her sister and 11:30am brother, Mary, and Lazarus, on the Church’s universal calendar of feast days. The names of Mary and Lazarus will be added to the July 29th feast for the Latin rite of the Holy Thursday Catholic Church. Mass of the Lord's Last Supper Pope Francis approved the memorial for Martha, Mary, and April 1st Lazarus after “considering the important evangelical witness 7:00pm: Adoration they offered in welcoming the Lord Jesus into their home, in listening to him attentively, (and) in believing that he is the until 10:00pm resurrection and the life.” He continued: “In the household of Bethany, the Lord Jesus experienced the family spirit and Good Friday friendship of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, and for this reason the Gospel of John states that he loved them. It said. April 2nd Martha generously offered him hospitality, Mary listened 11:00 am: Church Open for Prayer attentively to his words and Lazarus promptly emerged 12:00pm: Stations of the Cross from the tomb at the command of [Jesus] the one who 1:00pm: Seven Last Words humiliated death.” 2:00pm: Rosary and Mary and Martha are good examples to us of a very Divine Mercy Chaplet important lesson. When they were grieving their brother’s death, they went to Jesus for comfort and relief. In addition, 3:00pm: Proclamation of this story gives witness to the beauty of those who Our Lord's Passion accompany us when we mourn, as is seen by the crowds Adoration of the Cross that were with them at the tomb. Unfortunately, many Communion Service families that lost loved ones during the pandemic were unable to experience the strength and comfort that is brought by friends and family who walk with us in times of Holy Saturday grief. My hope and prayer for each of them is that they find April 3rd consolation in knowing that Jesus was with them during 1:00pm : Blessing of Easter Baskets their loss and sorrow, and that they, at some point, can experience some closure when they can gather with their 8:30pm : Easter Vigil loved ones. Blessed are the mourners and those that walk with them; for indeed they provide comfort and love. Saints Easter Sunday Masses Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, pray for us! April 4th 8:00am Hope to see you at Mass! 9:30am Peace, 11:30am Deacon Russ St. Kieran Parish, Shelby Township Page 4 STATIONS OF THE CROSS Offered every Friday during Living Faith Lent at 7:00pm. March 26 It was around this time that the first ENCOUNTER Augustinians arrived in Japan. As a committed Christian, Magdalene made herself known to them. GROW She served as a catechist and interpreter for the early Augustinian missionaries. She found their WITNESS Augustinian spirituality appealing, with its emphasis on the interior search 52 SUNDAYS . for God and community. She asked to be accepted into the Order of Saint Augustine, and in 1625 was formally received into the Augustinian Third Order. Meet Our Extended Family - She considered becoming a full- fledged Dominican sister, but St. Magdalene of Nagasaki continued religious persecution (Feast Day October 20 1611-1634) kept her from doing so. As persecution of Christians in Japan Magdalene of Nagasaki was a Japanese became stronger, Magdalene fled to the hills, where woman who, in spite of great danger and difficulty, she worked at bringing the Word of God to those remained faithful to Jesus Christ until her who did not know Jesus and strengthening the martyrdom. Magdalene was born in the early faith of those who did. As a follower of Jesus, she seventeenth century into a devout Christian family. was threatened, ridiculed, tortured, and killed, but Her parents were martyred around 1620, when through it all, her Christian witness was strong. Magdalene was in her teens. Pope John Paul II canonized her in 1987. The Gospel For All Ages…Family Catechesis Take the Challenge! Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 5:7-9; John 12:20-23 About the Gospel Jesus explains how God will bring glory from everything that is done according to his will—even Jesus’ upcoming Death. Christ compares his Death to a plant that dies, leaving seeds to grow. He wants us to love God, follow his will, and grow seeds of faith.