1617 W. Pine Street | Appleton, WI 54914 | 920.739.0331

Welcome and inspire all to share Christ’s love

through faith and service.

St. Bernard Congregation of Appleton

MASS TIMES CONNECT:

ONLINE stbernardappleton.org

FACEBOOK stbernardappleton

EMAIL stbernard@stbernardappleton.org

5th SUNDAY OF LENT March 29 2020

PRIEST: Father Jude Egbuna

ACTIVE DEACON: Mike Eash

RETIRED DEACONS: Don Nass Maury Reed Bob Vincent

Effective Friday, March 20, All Public Attendance at Masses in the Diocese of Green Bay is suspended through Mid-April.

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life;

whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live.” Jn 11:2

DEAR PARISHIONERS FROM FATHER JUDE

WORDS OF HOPE Hello brothers and Sisters of St. Bernard Parish. I want to let you know that I and the staff have you in our thoughts and prayers, especially at this critical time when we should be unrelenting as far as praying is concerned. I hope you are staying safe, and are abiding by all the regulations enforced as safety measures. As we obey and abide by those rules we are actually obeying God who inspired such wise guides. Let us keep connected and united by whatever means that can be explored, and at the same time be conscious of social distancing. Remember that out of sight is not out of mind. Pray for one another and let us remember to be grateful and thankful always to our Almighty God who has kept us safe and alive at this time. Let nothing worry you, God is in control. If God closes the door, somewhere He opens the window, all for His good purpose. Jesus said to the Samaritan woman at the well, “Believe me woman, the time will come when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father…but the time is coming and is already here, when the true worshipper will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him (Jn.4:21 &23)”. There is no time like now when this statement is very relevant. It is so true with the COVID-19 pandemic which has caused the Governments and Religious Leaders to modify people’s normal way of life and worship. This is so true with the banning of public celebration of the Holy Eucharist and allowing priests to have private celebration without the Christians present. For Catholics, the Eucharist is the highest form of prayer since it brings Christ physically down to encounter his people and put them in physical contact with him. My dear friends, not to worry about this denial because Christ is actually suffering with you at this time. Remember that you are his body and members. He said, “Where two or three of you gather in my name, I am there in your midst (Mt. 18:20)”. Following these words of Our Lord, Catholics should use this time to strengthen their understanding of the Christian family as the ‘Domestic Church’. What does this mean?. It means that they can turn their families into Churches where the parents or a designated person will be the Chief celebrant who presides daily or weekend celebration of ‘Mass without a priest’. Such practice has existed in mission land where it is difficult to find priests on regular basis. How does this work? It begins like a normal Mass. The presider acts like the priest and presides over the celebration following the normal order of the Eucharistic celebration.

1. Greetings 2 Penitential service or confession of sin to God 3. The Gloria (if outside lent and advent) 4. The liturgy of the words of God with a reflection by the presider 5. Credo and the prayer of the faithful 6. Our father 7. Spiritual Communion 8. Dismissal

Brethren, it is our faith and manner of believing that is put to the test by COVID-19, and we shall rise up to it. Instead of this time dividing us and keeping us separated, let this trying time be a golden moment to strength-en family relationships, parish unity and make our love and faith more visible. This will put the devil to shame. Be still! God is watching over you. Fr. Jude

MUSINGS FROM THE DEACON CAVE

Putting on the Ritz One of Lisa and my favorite films is Young Frankenstein. A Mel Brooke’s film with a star-filled cast in a movie that spoofs the earlier, classic Frankenstein movies. Scene after scene seems to have some sort of twist to the original films that makes you laugh or chuckle. One scene in particular that is recited at our house quite often is when Dr. Frankenstein (Gene Wilder) and Igor (Marty Feldman) are in a cemetery digging up a recently deceased body to use in their experiment. As they lift the coffin from the grave, Dr. Frankenstein says, “What an awful job.” Igor says, in reply, “It could be worse, it could be raining.” And immediately the skies open up and a downpour begins. When Lisa or I find ourselves complaining a little to much about something, the other will chime in with, “It could be worse, it could be raining.” Not only does this usually lighten the mood, it is a good reminder that almost always things could be worse than they are at the moment. There is no doubt that life is challenging for so many right now. Even if we are not personally affected by the COVID-19 virus, we likely know someone who’s life is in turmoil because of it. Aside from the virus itself, people are working from home, kids are not in school, those in the medical field are being tested to their limits, businesses are closed or are limited, and almost everyone seems to be a little on edge about the unknown of what all of this will bring. It is easy in these times to be focused on the negative. In our second reading, Paul reminds the Romans that they live in the Spirit of God, not in the flesh. This applies for us too. We have been given a great gift through our Baptism that the Holy Spirit dwells in each of us. But with this gift comes the responsibility that as we care for the physical needs of our family, friends, and neighbors, we must also make sure they are spiritually cared for as well. Let people know that you are praying for them through whatever means are appropriate. Cards, letters, phone calls, and emails are all great ways to spread the Good News that even though things may seem bleak in the world, God will take of his children. “I have promised, and I will do it, says the LORD.” Now go wash your hands! Deacon Mike

COVID-19 Updates To access additional information on COVID-19, we invite you to view the following websites; St. Bernard Parish stbernardappleton.org

Green Bay Diocese https://www.gbdioc.org/

Dear Parishioners of St. Bernard Parish, Due to the public health concerns, recent order by the Governor of Wisconsin, and information from the Green Bay Diocese, St. Bernard Parish will be closed until further notice effective Wednesday, March 25. During this time, Fr. Jude and the staff will be available remotely to meet your needs. Please feel free to call our Parish Office at 920-739-0331 and leave a message. One of our staff will contact you within 24 hours of your call.

Stay connected with us via email, Facebook, YouTube, webpage, videos and many other digital resources. We know that God will sustain us.

St. Bernard Staff

UPDATE FOR OUR PARISHIONERS

ST BERNARD PARISH CALENDAR

OUR PARISH STAFF

Bookkeeper Barb Hoffman

Bulletin Editor Lisa Hecht

Business Administrator Dr. Colleen Sargent-Day

Care Ministry Coordinator Cathy Kulibert

Director of Communication, A/V Tech. Rhonda Uschan

Evangelization Coordinator Emily Jenks

Faith Formation Coordinator Deb Holzem

Maintenance Supervisor Jim Piette

Office Manager Edna Ulrich

St. Bernard Parish is grateful for your continued support of all our ministries.

All Parish Activities and Events have been Cancelled. Please review times when our building will be open for prayer. If you have questions or concerns, please call our Parish Office at 739-0331. Effective Friday, March 20, All Public Attendance at Masses in the Diocese of Green Bay is suspended through Mid-April.

St. Bernard Parish Bishop’s Appeal Goal $52,268

Gifts $40,431

Balance $11,837

Church Support-We appreciate your continued financial support! Please consider contributing electronically, if you do not already do so. All you have to do is go to the Parish Webpage stbernardappleton.weshareonline.org/ to access the on-line giving. Giving envelopes may be mailed to our Parish Office along with a check (please do not mail cash).

While we cannot be physically together, Please join us in praying for the intentions of our prayer list

We’ve included prayer intentions in this bulletin and you can access the list on our website Add your own intentions on our website or call our Parish Office

and leave a message Help us reach out to our homebound Parishioners Make a friendly phone call or write notes & cards Volunteer on our website or call our Parish Office and leave

Cathy a message

You’ll find ways to continue sharing and growing in our faith, participate in Mass, and other helpful information, resources and links on our website, Facebook page, and in our bulletin. Let’s stay connected as a Parish Family and Friends in Christ! Prayer Requests

For the health of my parents

For the health of everyone in our Parish

For Michael who is undergoing treatment for colon cancer

For continue income during this time

For all who are ill from COVID-19

For my job

For my son-in-law who is lost his job and for the closer of his Businesses

For my daughter, son-in-law and our two grandsons

For Joe’s mom who is in the hospital

For all the students who are adjusting to learning online and are apart from teacher, friends and classmates

For all healthcare workers; for their personal safety, renewed strength and wisdom of all those they are treating with the virus

For my 86 year old Aunt who is living alone

PRAYER REQUESTS

FORMED

PARISH COMMUNITY

During this time of uncertainly regarding the Covid-19 and all the information around this, we can turn to our Blessed Mother Mary and ask for her intercessions and help. There are many opportunities in FORMED that allow for various ways to participate in praying the Rosary. Look at Praying the Rosary Like Never Before with Dr Edward Siri. Dr Siri is a nationally sought Catholic Speaker who appears on EWTN and is a founding leader of FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students). Dr Siri has a book totaled The New Rosary in Scripture: Biblical Insights on Praying the 20 Mysteries. He shares Pope St John Paul II’s practical strategies for praying the Rosary better so you can encounter Jesus more deeply in prayer.

On the flip side you can listen to and recite the Rosary and each of the mysteries in separate format in FORMED. Search Praying the Rosary or scroll through the offerings

There’s even a Brother Frances episode called The Rosary: A Special Way to Pray. It’s truly a fun episode. Let your child’s faith blossom. Submitted weekly by a St. Bernard Parishioner

At the end of each Mass we are given the instructions to “go and proclaim the Gospel”. Every week this means sharing the message and hope of Jesus with our schoolmates, co-workers, and friends. During this time of isolation, we have the opportunity to think of creative ways to share Jesus while being apart from our usual communities.

One way we are doing this at St. Bernard Parish is by inviting our Parishioners, friends, and family members to “chalk” our parking lot where many of our neighbors walk. Last weekend we put a call out to our Facebook page inviting followers to come add their own messages of hope and love. One of our Parish families took the initiative on and shared beautiful notes of love, peace, and prayer.

If you are walking by our Church Parking lot, we invite you to chalk your “Missionary Messages.” Consider chalking a favorite Bible verse, Psalm or prayer! Draw some symbols of peace and hope.

From a St. Bernard Parishioner:

We are enjoying every day as a gift, regardless of what’s going on in the world. Our personal view is that this may just Humble some people and/or it may help a lot of people reconnect to the fact that we are all God’s children, and need to be treated as such.

We are using this time to reflect on what’s going on in a spiritual sense, to deepen our faith and trust in God. The promise of faith is not life without hardships and challenges. The promise of life is with hope and certain knowledge that we do not face uncertainties alone. God is always with us to calm us and give us hope in the face of everything good and bad.