March 22, 2014

In his homily at a penance service in Saint Peter's Basilica on March 13, Pope Francis announced an upcoming extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy. The Gospel story he talked about was Luke 7:36-50, in which a "sinful woman in the city," knowing that Jesus was dining in the home of a Pharisee, brought ointment, wept over the feet of Jesus, wiped them with her hair, and anointed them. Despite criticism from those at the dinner, Jesus said to the woman in compassion, "Your sins are forgiven." Here is an excerpt from the Holy Father's homily about this Gospel and the Holy Year of Mercy:

The Gospel we have heard opens for us a path of hope and

comfort. It is good that we should feel that same compassionate

gaze of Jesus upon us, as when he perceived the sinful woman in

the house of the Pharisee. In this passage two words return before

us with great insistence: love and judgment.

There is the love of the sinful woman, who humbles herself before

the Lord; but first there is the merciful love of Jesus for her,

which pushes her to approach. Her cry of repentance and joy

washes the feet of the Master, and her hair dries them with

gratitude; her kisses are pure expression of her affection; and the

fragrant ointment poured out with abundance attests how

precious He is to her eyes.

(continued on next page)

He said

to her,

“Your

sins

are

forgiven.”

Holy Year of Mercy

(continued from front page)

This woman’s every gesture speaks of love and

expresses her desire to have an unshakeable

certainty in her life: that of being forgiven. And

Jesus gives this assurance: welcoming her, He

demonstrates God’s love for her, just for her! Love

and forgiveness are simultaneous: God forgives her

much, everything, because “she loved much” (Luke

7:47); and she adores Jesus because she feels that in

Him there is mercy and not condemnation. Thanks

to Jesus, God casts her many sins away behind Him,

He remembers them no more (cf. Is 43:25). For her,

a new season now begins; she is reborn in love, to a

new life.

This woman has really met the Lord. In silence, she

opened her heart to Him; in pain, she showed

repentance for her sins; with her tears, she appealed

to the goodness of God for forgiveness. For her,

there will be no judgment except that which comes

from God, and this is the judgment of mercy. The

protagonist of this meeting is certainly the love that

goes beyond justice....

The call of Jesus pushes each of us never to stop at

the surface of things, especially when we are dealing

with a person. We are called to look beyond, to

focus on the heart . . . . No one can be excluded

from the mercy of God; everyone knows the way to

access it and the Church is the house that welcomes

all and refuses no one. Its doors remain wide open,

so that those who are touched by grace can find the

certainty of forgiveness. The greater the sin, so

much the greater must be the love that the Church

expresses toward those who convert.

Dear brothers and sisters, I have often thought about

how the Church might make clear its mission of being

a witness to mercy. It is a journey that begins with a

spiritual conversion. For this reason, I have decided to

call an extraordinary Jubilee that is to have the mercy

of God at its center. It shall be a Holy Year of Mercy.

We want to live this Year in the light of the Lord's

words: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful (cf.

Lk 6:36).”

This Holy Year will begin on this coming Solemnity of

the Immaculate Conception and will end on November

20, 2016, the Sunday dedicated to Our Lord Jesus

Christ, King of the Universe – and living face of the

Father’s mercy. I entrust the organization of this

Jubilee to the Pontifical Council for Promotion of the

New Evangelization, that [it] might animate it as a

new stage in the journey of the Church on its mission

to bring to every person the Gospel of mercy.

- Pope Francis

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC: 2447-2448)

The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities.

Instructing, advising, consoling, comforting are spiritual works of mercy, as are forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently.

The corporal works of mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead.

Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God.

Read more at www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/homiletics/works-of-mercy.cfm

+ Masses +

SATURDAY MARCH 21

VIGIL, FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

8:30 AM Thomas Hallett

5:30 PM Paul Freda

SUNDAY MARCH 22 FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

7:30 AM Deborah Trees

* 9:00 AM George “Bud” Brown

11:00 AM Sandra L. Woods

MONDAY MARCH 23

LENTEN WEEKDAY

7:00 AM Eric M. Hitchcock

9:00 AM Intentions of Reverend Michael Messner

TUESDAY MARCH 24

LENTEN WEEKDAY

7:00 AM Catherine Wagman

9:00 AM Garrett Punch

WEDNESDAY MARCH 25

THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE LORD

7:00 AM Pauleen Lynch

9:00 AM Dorothy Bassler

THURSDAY MARCH 26

LENTEN WEEKDAY

7:00 AM Allen Werne

9:00 AM Murray Forbes

FRIDAY MARCH 27

LENTEN WEEKDAY

7:00 AM Joshua Kohner

9:00 AM Dr. Robert Lambert

7:00 PM Del and Paul Rodrigo

SATURDAY MARCH 28

VIGIL, PALM SUNDAY

8:30 AM David Betton

5:30 PM Rebecca Albright

SUNDAY MARCH 29 PALM SUNDAY

7:30 AM People of the Parish

**9:00 AM Isabel Fitzgerald

*11:00 AM Julio Julian

* Adult Choir singing at Mass ** Youth Choir singing at Mass

Vigil Mass, March 28, Palm Sunday 5:30 PM *EMHC: Ron Mull, Bonnie Seymore, Brenda Slagle Lectors: Don Gleichman, Mike Soisson Servers: Peter Scripko, Luba Scripko, Martin Manning, Anne Marie Manning

Sunday Masses, March 29, Palm Sunday 7:30 AM *EMHC: Daniel Glessner, Dennis Rowe, Walt Wisniewski Lectors: Elizabeth Stanley-Swope, Debbie Wallet Servers: Lucio Martinez, Julia Martinez, John Paul Martinez, Jeremy Fetterhoff 9:00 AM

*EMHC: Pat Buck, Bobby Cheeka, Suzanne Creavey, Bev James, Regina Mowery, Rick Mowery, Julie Ritts Lectors: Patricia Wargo, Rob Weezorak Servers: Andrew Cavada, Max Cavada, Eric Bradley, Ethan Rensel 11: 00 AM *EMHC: Dick Beard, Kim Beard, Rhonda Harpster Lector: Ed Arke, Rick Bradley Servers: Morgan Mansfield, Lily Mansfield, Isabel Martin, Alexandra Malady

* NEW SCHEDULES AVAILABLE IN THE MINISTRY SACRISTY.

STEWARDSHIP COLLECTION March 15 $10,158.20

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

MON Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or 13:41c-62; Ps 23; Jn 8:1-11

TUE Nm 21:4-9; Ps 102; Jn 8:21-30

WED Is 7:10-14, 8:10; Ps 40; Heb 10:4-10; Lk 1:26-38

THU Gn 17:3-9; Ps 105; Jn 8:51-59

FRI Jer 20:10-13; Ps 18; Jn 10:31-42

SAT Ez 37:21-28; Jer 31; Jn 11:45-56

SUN Mk 11:1-10 or Jn 12:12-16; Is 50:4-7; Ps 22;Phil 2:6-11; Mk 14:1-15:47 or 15:1-39

In your charity, please pray for the repose of the soul of Annette Lappano Kunz, sister of parishioner Joe Lappano.

COMMUNAL PENANCE SERVICES Sunday, March 29, 2:00 PM Saint Joseph Sunday, March 29, 7:00 PM Saint Theresa Tuesday, March 31, 7:00 PM Our Lady of Lourdes Wednesday, April 1, 7:00 PM Good Shepherd

RCIA WILL MEET on Tuesday, March 24, at 7:00 PM. We will learn about Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton; Carol Holder, presenter.

THANK YOU TO ALL of the parishioners who are our Ministry volunteers for giving so generously of their time for the Stewardship Fair. Their many selfless hours throughout the year make this parish vibrant and caring. Thank you!

REMEMBER YOUR COLLEGE AND MILITARY OUTREACH donations, through March 29! Questions? Contact

Donna (329-6405), donnachavey@hotmail.com.

EASTER MEMORIAL OFFERINGS of $10 or more are being accepted for Easter flowers to adorn the altar for the Easter season. Names will be published in the bulletin. Please make

checks payable to SAINT ELIZABETH ANN SETON PARISH.

BY: ______________________________________________________

IN MEMORY OF: ______________________________________________________

Please return to the Parish Office.

PARISH MISSION PROJECT WEEKEND is March 28-29. Please be generous to our brothers and sisters in need in Saint Francis Parish, Harrisburg.

SPIRITUAL BOOK CLUB: Our new book is Interior Castle, by Saint Teresa of Avila. We will discuss chapters 1-2. Any translation is fine, and there is no need for advance reading. Join us March 24 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM in Meeting Room 1.

SPONSOR OF THE WEEK

We wish to thank parishioner Mary Baker Nee for sponsoring an ad in our weekly bulletin.

STUDENTS IN GRADES 8-12 INVITE ALL to a presentation of Living Stations of the Cross on Monday, March 30, and Wednesday, April 1, at 7:00 PM in the church. Join our students in experiencing this prayer through tableaux, narration, and music.

THIS SUNDAY, all High School students and their families are invited to a Tenebrae service that challenges us to recognize the realities of the Crucifixion and the necessity for Christ’s Passion and Death for our salvation. Dinner at 5 in the Parish Center, then Life Night in the Bayley Conference Room.

MARCH 29: Life Teen’s pre-registered teens will celebrate World Youth Day with Palm Sunday Mass at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral.

APRIL 5, EASTER: There will be no Life Teen Mass, Life

Night, or Adoration on Easter evening.

DINNER IS SERVED from 4:00 to 6:30 PM on Friday, March 27. Cost: adults $11; children $5; families (2 adults, & 1 child) $24, each additional child $5. Menu: baked fresh haddock with pineapple salsa, potato breaded baked cod, baked potato, hot vegetable, cole slaw or cucumber salad, soup (cheese tortellini & spinach or cream of mushroom), fresh baked pies & cakes, and hot and cold beverages.

EASTER EGG SALES! LAST DAY IS SUNDAY, MARCH 29! Cost is $1 each for Milk, Dark & White Chocolate Peanut Butter, Coconut Cream & Butter Cream, and Milk & Dark Butter Nut.

Contacts: Colleen Erickson (697-2473) or Vania Jaroch (766-3533).

SUNDAY 22

College/Military Outreach CCD Sessions 8:45 & 10:15 AM Children’s Liturgy 9:00 & 11:00 AM

After Masses Blood Pressure Screening Easter Eggs Trail Life Plant/Seed Orders

12:00 PM That Man Is You

12:15 PM Youth Choir Rehearsal

5:00 PM Life Teen

6:00 PM Adoration

6:30 PM Let’s Play Cards!

MONDAY 23

6:45 AM Morning Prayer

8:40 AM Rosary

9:00 AM Easter Egg Sales

6:30 PM CCD Session

7:00 PM Strategic Planning Meeting

TUESDAY 24

6:45 AM Morning Prayer

8:40 AM Rosary

9:00 AM Easter Egg Sales

6:20 PM Rosary

6:30 PM Trail Life

7:00 PM Knights of Columbus

7:00 PM RCIA

7:00 PM Spiritual Book Club

WEDNESDAY 25

6:45 AM Morning Prayer

8:40 AM Rosary

9:30 AM Faith Matters—Morning

7:00 PM Faith Matters—Evening

THURSDAY 26

6:45 AM Morning Prayer

8:40 AM Rosary

6:30 PM Bereavement Support

7:00 PM Choir Rehearsal

FRIDAY 27

6:45 AM Morning Prayer

8:40 AM Rosary

4:00 PM Lenten Fish Dinner Easter Eggs Sales

7:00 PM Stations of the Cross/Mass

SATURDAY 28

College/Military Outreach Parish Mission Project Weekend

3:30 PM Confessions

After Mass Easter Eggs Sales

SUNDAY 29

College/Military Outreach Parish Mission Project Weekend CCD Sessions 8:45 & 10:15 AM Children’s Liturgy 9:00 & 11:00 AM

After Masses CCD Registration Easter Eggs Sales (Last day!)

5:00 PM Life Teen

6:00 PM Adoration

6:00 PM Traditional Seder

6:30 PM Let’s Play Cards!

FAITH MATTERS—MORNING: As our Lenten journey continues, we contemplate Christ's final words from the Cross with homilies by Father Robert Barron. Come share your thoughts on Wednesday morning at 9:30.

FAITH MATTERS—EVENING: In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus is about to be at both the end and the beginning of a new world. Join us in the Bayley

Conference Room on Wednesday at 7:00 PM for The Trial of Christ.

SAINT JOSEPH SCHOOL HAS 3 TEACHER OPENINGS for the 2015-2016 school year: 1st Grade, 6th Grade English Language Arts, and Art Teacher for Grades 1-8. Details on the school website, www.sjsmch.org/employment.

STRATEGIC PLANNING MEETING: Parish organizational leaders and Pastoral Council will meet March 23 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM to share a time of prayer and reflection, receive further information about mission statements and goals, and learn about each other’s ministries. Contact: Sue Fletcher (697-6929), sfletcher@steas.net. Plan to attend, even if your mission statement is completed.

CALLING ALL COOKS! An integral part of Life Teen’s Sunday fellowship is a shared meal. Volunteers are needed to prepare and deliver a meal for the group. Reimbursement is available. Please contact Bev James (512-8893),

bevjames@comcast.net.

CCD REGISTRATION OPENS AT 8:00 AM ON SUNDAY, MARCH 29. STAFF WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE PARISH CENTER UNTIL 11.

THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL 4068 will meet on Tuesday at 7:00 PM in Rooms 3 & 4. The rosary will be prayed at 6:20 in the church.

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP: Are you mourning a loss? Come and meet with those who understand—Thursday at 6:30 PM in Meeting Room 1.

Diamonds, delaying optional purchases, dividends, deferred gift annuity, donation of goods and services toward construction, dividend assignment ...

Creative Ways of Giving: An Alphabet of Ideas

We’re still looking for Legos™! Got unused blocks in the basement, We’re still looking for Legos™! Got unused blocks in the basement,

garage, or attic? We’d love to have them! Drop them off anytimegarage, or attic? We’d love to have them! Drop them off anytime

on the stage in the Parish Center. Thanks! on the stage in the Parish Center. Thanks!

I I is for is for ——

Invention royalties, Invention royalties, Interest, Inventory, Insurance proceeds, IRA ...Interest, Inventory, Insurance proceeds, IRA ... ... possible resources to generate funds for the ... possible resources to generate funds for the benefit of our parish building project!benefit of our parish building project!