lenten schedule - nativity catholic church · lenten penance service with bishop burbidge thursday,...

Nativity Catholic Church, Burke Virginia Third Sunday of Lent March 24, 2019

My dear parishioners,

Tradition says that Moses spent 40 years away from Egypt before the Lord called him to lead the people out of slavery. During that time he had a family and tended his father-in-law's animals. It was an opportunity to develop the survival skills he would need to bring the Lord’s flock into the same area. The mountain of the burning bush is also the mountain where they will receive the commandments. It is significant that Moses did not seek out God; rather, the Lord called Moses while he was doing his everyday task. God finds us and calls us to use the gifts we have right where we are.

Paul reminds the Corinthians that although all the Israelites who left Egypt with Moses “ate the same spiritual food” (v 3), many displeased the Lord and “were struck down in the desert” (v 5). He sees this as a lesson for us, “so that we might not desire evil things, as they did” (v 6). Paul knows that despite our experience of God’s steadfast love, we too are in danger of straying. We are to learn from the example of the Israelites so that we do not fall away from God.

In the Gospel today Jesus calls us to repentance. Using the parable of the fig tree, he admonishes us to produce a good harvest. In the parable we learn that while God is patient with us, his patience is not endless. There will come a time when that which refuses to “bear fruit” (v 9) will be cut down. Now is the time for repentance, for we do not know when the time of judgment will be. We must cultivate the seed of faith that was planted in our hearts. The best way to bear good fruit is by doing as much good as possible - sharing generously our time, talent and treasure, especially with the poor and needy.

Love and Blessings,

Fr. Bob Cilinski, Pastor

A Message from our Pastor Fr. Bob Cilinski

THE 2019 BISHOP’S LENTEN APPEAL

Thank you, Nativity parishioners, for the great support of our Diocese’s Bishop’s Lenten Appeal. As of March 7, our pledges and donations amount to $416,184 with more than one in eight families participating. That’s well more than half of our $635,000 dollar goal! We’re off to a strong start, but still need more participation. If you haven’t yet pledged, please consider a sacrificial offering for Lent. Your support helps the many charities, ministries, and programs throughout the Diocese and here at Nativity. Thanks again!

LENTEN SCHEDULE

Extra Weekday Lenten Masses Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12:00 noon

Stations of the Cross Fridays at 7:00pm in English, 8:00pm in Spanish

Extra Confession, The Light is ON for You Celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation,

Each Wednesday evening during Lent From 6:30pm - 8:00pm

Adoration in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel Every Wednesday during Lent from

8:00am to 2:00pm

A Parish Mission - ”Renewing Hope” Will be held at Nativity on Tuesday, April 2, Wednesday, April 3 and Thursday, April 4

at 7:00pm with Dr. Greg LaNave

Lenten Penance Service with Bishop Burbidge Thursday, April 11 from 6:30 - 8:00pm

(25 Priests available for Individual Confessions)

Thank you to those who have already returned all the tickets you have sold. Where else can you get a chance to win all five 2019 vehicles from Koon’s of Manassas (Honda Odyssey Van, Honda CRV Sport Utility, GMC Sierra truck, Buick Verano & a Honda Civic) plus up to $20,000 in cash prizes for only $5. Please mail your sold ticket stubs directly to All Saints in the envelope provided. We have additional tickets if you sell all of yours! Questions? Contact PGK Sam Morthland @ 703-455-2186 or visit:

https://nativityburke.org/2019-car-raffle/

LENTEN FAST AND ABSTINANCE All Fridays in Lent are days of abstinence, Good Friday is a day of fast and abstinence. Catholics 14 years of age and older are obliged to abstain from meat and those 18-59 are obliged to fast (1 full meal and 2 smaller ones to maintain

strength) medical or serious reasons exist.

PLEASE NOTE: The 9:00am morning Mass on Saturday, March 30th

has been rescheduled to 7:30am, to accommodate for the Confirmation Masses.


About The Speaker

Dr. Gregory LaNave is Professor of Theology at the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. He began working at the House of Studies in 1996 as managing editor of

The Thomist, an academic journal of philosophy and theolo-gy—a position he has held ever since.

After receiving his Ph.D. in Theology from Catholic University in 2001, he began to teach part-time at the House of Studies, and in 2006 was appointed as a full-time member of the faculty. He also serves as director of “Mercy U.,” a program for lay studies in theology taught by professors from the Dominican House, and hosted by Our Lady of Mercy parish in Potomac, Maryland.

Greg is a specialist in medieval theology, especially the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Bonaventure. He has published one book (Through Holiness to Wisdom: The Nature of Theology according to St. Bonaventure) and a number of scholarly articles. He is currently working (rather slowly) on two books: one on the connection between theology and holiness, and the other on the Church. Greg is a proud native of Minnesota, but moved to the DC area in 1991. He and his wife, Anna, have lived in northern Virginia since they were married 20 years ago, and in 2004 they moved to Burke, where they have raised their four children: Lucia, Dominic, Antonio, and Vincent. Since 2012, Greg has been leading a men’s prayer group at Nativity—the “Men’s Prayer and Reflection Group,” which meets at the church every Saturday morning from 8:00 to 9:00.

When not engaged in theology, Greg’s passion for the past several years has been community theater. Last summer he was thrilled to be on stage at Nativity with two of his children for a fabulous production of Seussical (he played the Grinch and Yertle the Turtle). This March (right before the week of the parish mission) he will be starring, along with several other Nativity parishioners, in a production of Bye Bye Birdie put on by the Good Shepherd Players, in Burke.

In keeping with our tradition, we are again asking the Nativity community to help us in bringing even a small bit of joy to local children

served by organizations in our community and congregation at this Easter season. Requested donations include:

Easter candy - individually wrapped candies, chocolate rabbits, chocolate lambs, etc.

Individually wrapped healthy snacks

Small toys - to include small stuffed animals, jump ropes

Bubbles, playdoh, story books, etc.

Crayons, markers, coloring books

Personal care items for pre-teens

The organizations that we assist request that we NOT accept the following:

NO Easter baskets, NO Easter grass, NO plastic eggs

NO candy that is not individually wrapped, i.e., jelly beans

We will collect items before and after all Masses ONLY on the weekend of April 6th and 7th. Please drop your donations in the boxes located in the church vestibule. Thank you for your continued generosity and support!

If you have any questions, please contact: Kathleen Powers at 703-455-1853, email: [email protected] or visit: nativityburke.org/won-easter/


Catholicism 101: A Refresher On Who Are We and What We Believe?

Adult Confirmation Preparation and Continuing Education All Classes will be held from 7:15-8:45pm

(Assigned readings and videos to be completed for the class under which they are listed)

• Monday, April 1, 2019 – Meeting One: Introduction [Fr.Vaccaro]

• Monday, April 8, 2019 – Meeting Two: Revelation (Who is God? Who are we? How does He speak to us?) [Dan Blair]

Catechism for Adults – Chapters 1-8 Symbolon (Knowing the Faith) – Videos 1, 2, 3

• Monday, April 29, 2019 – Meeting Three: The Church and Her History [Dcn. Kelly]

Catechism for Adults – Chapters 9-13 Symbolon (Knowing the Faith) – Videos 4, 5, 6, 7 [For those receiving Confirmation – all paperwork returned by

this date]

• Monday, May 6, 2019 – Meeting Four: Prayer [Ron Riggins] Catechism for Adults – Chapters 22, 35-36 Symbolon (Knowing the Faith) – Videos 8, 9, 10

• Monday, May 13, 2019 – Meeting Five: The Sacraments [Dan Blair] Catechism for Adults – Chapters 14-21 Symbolon (Living the Faith) – Videos 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

• Monday, May 20, 2019 – Meeting Six: Christian Morality [Fr. Vaccaro] Catechism for Adults – Chapters 23-30

Symbolon (Living the Faith) – Videos 6, 7, 8

• Monday, June 3, 2019 – Meeting Seven: The Christian Apostolate of Service [Ron Riggins] Catechism for Adults – Chapters 31-35 Symbolon (Living the Faith) – Videos 9, 10

Books: Catechism for Adults - http://ccc.usccb.org/flipbooks/uscca/index.html#92

Videos: The Symbolon Series

Adult Confirmations with the Bishop will take place at the Cathedral of Saint Thomas More at 2:30pm

on Pentecost Sunday, June 9, 2019

Our Parish Lenten Soup Suppers continue on March 27th from 6:00-7:30pm in the cafeteria! Join us for delicious

homemade soups as we enjoy a meal with our parish family. No cost to attend - a free will offering will benefit the ministry hosting each week. We also still need YOU to sign up to make

soup, we can't do it without you!

Sign up at: nativityburke.org/soup-suppers-2019

Nativity Religious Education nativityburke.org/re/

Student Registration for the 2019-2020 School year is now open!

Registration Requirements:

1) A completed 2019-2020 Student Registration Form (one per family).

2) Emergency Care Form (one per student).

3) Payment (cash or check) at time of registration. Please make payable to: Nativity Religious Education.

4) A copy of student’s Baptism certificate (a copy of Baptism Certificate is a requirement for registration including stu-dents baptized at Nativity) Note – returning students, please check with the RE office if we have a copy of the baptism certificate on file.

Classes start the week of September 15th Parents are encouraged to register early. Classes fill up fast! Visit our website for more information or call 703-455-0372

**************************

Coming up Confirmation Parents:

GROUP 1 Confirmation Rehearsal: Wednesday, March 27, 2019, 7:00pm, in the Church. Mass Celebration: Saturday, March 30, 2019, 10:00am. Students and Sponsors are required to arrive at: 9:00am in the school gym.

GROUP 2

Confirmation Rehearsal: Thursday, March 28, 2019, 7:00pm, in the Church. Mass Celebration: Saturday, March 30, 2019, 1:30pm. Students and Sponsors are required to arrive at: 12:30pm in the school gym.

50% off for volunteer catechists and assistant catechists for a full school year of service

Early Bird Discount Applies to registrations received prior to August 1

1 child = $110 2 children = $130 3 or more children= $150

Regular Tuition after August 1 1 child = $140

2 children = $160 3 or more children= $180

Session 1 (Sunday, 2:00 - 3:15pm) Session 2 (Sunday, 3:45 - 5:00pm) Session 3 (Sunday, 7:00 - 8:15pm)

Nativity Catholic School

Session 4 (Monday, 4:30 - 5:45pm)

Session 5 (Monday, 7:00 - 8:15pm)

Session 6 (Tuesday, 4:30 - 5:45pm) Session 7 (Tuesday, 7:00 - 8:15pm)


Monday, March 25 7:30am † Gail Thompson Caplongo Tuesday, March 26 7:30am † Carole Houpt 12:00pm † Elizabeth Atkinson Wednesday, March 27 7:30am † Ursula Shean (Heatherwood) 10:00am † Paul Posluszny Thursday, March 28 7:30am † Thomas Green 12:00pm † Patricia Bradshaw Friday, March 29 7:30am † Thomas Murphy (School Mass) 9:00am † Joseph Orsino Saturday, March 30 7:30am † Anneliese Staton 5:00pm † Emma Wahl 7:00pm † Cheryl Feliciano Sunday, March 31 7:30am Parishioners 9:00am † Franz Arakaky 11:00am † Bernard C. Phalen 12:45pm † Michael Ponti 5:30pm † Conner McGowan

The priest schedule for Masses is found on our webpage: nativityburke.org

In prayer, let us remember the sick and deceased of the parish.

“Abortion affects countless marriages more than many people recognize. But there is no doubt that God will bring great healing to those who trust in his infinite mercy. If a past abortion can be acknowledged and

addressed, a married couple can make great strides in experiencing even more fully God’s design that ‘the two shall become one’ (Mt 19:5).” “Healing within Marriage from an Abortion,” USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities

The Falls Church 40 Days For Life continues through Palm Sunday, April 14, 2019. 40 Days for Life is a focused Pro-Life effort that consists of 40 days of prayer and fasting, 40 days of peaceful vigil, 40 days of community outreach. See full details at https://40daysforlife.com/local-campaigns/falls-church/ Sign Up For Vigil Hours, become a "Prayer Warrior" and Stand Up For Life! For more info, please contact Soledad Olivera, 703-863-0710, [email protected]

A WOMAN’S CHOICE is a pregnancy resource center that provides free pregnancy testing, referrals for medical treatment,

housing, social service assistance and tangible support for pregnant women, including clothing and equipment. www.awomanschoicecenter.com or 703-538-4305.

VIRGINIA MARCH FOR LIFE Wednesday, April 3, 2019, Richmond VA

Departure would be approx. 8:00am and return by approx. 6:00pm. Cost for coach transportation would be approx. $35-$40 per person

based on joining other groups from our area. Interested? Contact George Getek at [email protected]

See additional details and FAQ's at: https://marchforlife.org/virginia-march-for-life/

or https://nativityburke.org/va-mfl/

Nativity Parish and School will be hosting their Annual Auction Saturday, April 6th, 2019, in the Father Martin Center.

Entitled "Swinging on a Star", this year's auction is 1940's themed. All proceeds will continue to expand Nativity School's

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) program and purchasing reading materials for all of

the classrooms. Tickets are on sale after Mass in the vestibule. The annual tradition of Class Raffle Baskets will

also be available for viewing and raffle ticket purchase. Please stop by on your way out or visit.

https://501auctions.com/nativityauction2019/tickets. For more information please visit: nativityschool.org/2019-auction.

Caring for Our Common Home During Lent from Your Nativity Creation Care Ministry

During Lent, we strive to live as Christ taught us, loving our neighbors as ourselves. Adding a plant-based meal to our tables is a thoughtful way to bring that reflection and commitment into our home lives. Many people are surprised to discover that limiting the meat on our plates is a crucial way to reduce deforestation in the Amazon, protecting vulnerable people and communities.

As Catholics, we choose plant-based meals every Friday during Lent. We invite you to expand your choice to one additional day this Lenten season, or strive to eat all plant-based meals during Lent. We pray:

Holy God, earth and air and water are Your creation, and the web of life is Yours.

Help me to be a keeper of your Earth: to simplify my life, to reduce my use of energy, and to choose

plant-based foods that protect all You have created. Help me take my part in the community of people caring for the Earth,

each other, and the Amazon, the lungs of our planet. Holy Spirit, deepen my awareness of our connectedness,

help me to see that I am one strand in the sacred web of creation, and grow in me the mindfulness that all of

creation lives and moves and has its being in You, God of boundless love. Amen.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will take place every Wednesday during Lent from 8:00am - 2:00pm


Join the Knights! Do you want to make a difference as a Catholic Gentleman? Then join the Knights of Columbus! Please contact DGK John Ostrowski at [email protected] if you are interested in joining our order or know someone who is. If you want a quick easy alternative way to join the Knights, try Online Membership. In only 5-10 minutes, just go to www.kofc.org/joinus, fill out the needed information, and put Council 7992 as your preferred Council. We’ll do the rest!

Membership Drive/Open House: We will be having an open house on April 2nd at 7:30pm in the Nativity School Cafeteria. If your interested in learning more about the Knight of Columbus please drop in.

Confirmation Reception: Knights of Columbus will be providing support for two shifts (9:00am to 1:00pm and 1:00 pm to 4:30pm). Confirmations will take place on March 30 at Nativity. We need 5 volunteer Knights for each shift. Duties include preparing cookie trays and juice logistics in the FMC. Please consider signing up using link below: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0849ACAC29A7FD0-knights

Fraternal Committee Caring For Caregivers and Care Recipients! At some point many of us may step into the role of caregiver for a spouse or other family member. What does it mean to be a caregiver? What are some ways to cope with the challeng-es of caring for someone else? What resources are available locally, regionally and nationally? How can you access and develop these resources? What does it take to build a cooperative relationship between the care recipient, family caregiver and professional caregiver? Learn more about advocacy and care for both the caregiver and care recipient! Join us on Saturday morning April 27, 2019, at 9:45am in the Nativity School Cafeteria for a 1-hour presentation by the Fairfax County ElderLink, Options for Caring. Save a seat – RSVP now by email to [email protected].

VA K of C State Convention: Virginia State Knights of Colum-bus is having its Annual State Convention 3-5 May, and there is a need from our Council for State Convention Support. Each NoVA District will be given a block of hours to man our hospitality suite. Presently we do not have that schedule yet, so more to follow.

Save the dates, upcoming event: Friday 12 April – Next Lenten Fish Fry.

Opportunities to advance in the degrees of our Order: 1st Degree (Admission): Tuesday 16 April, 7:00pm, Council 7992, Nativity, Burke. Tuesday, 23 April, 8:00pm, Council 8600, Fairfax Station. 2nd Degree (Formation): Wednesday, 27 March, 8:00pm, Council 6153, Springfield. 3rd Degree (Knighthood): Saturday, 13 April, 11:00am, Council 15256, Ashburn. 4th Degree - (Exemplification): April 27, Edwards Church and School, 11:00am, 2700 Dolfield Dr, Richmond, VA. 23235.

nativityschool.org

NATIVITY CATHOLIC SCHOOL

A Blue Ribbon School of Excellence

Join Us This Tuesday ~~ OPEN HOUSE on Tuesday, March 26, 2019

From 9:00-10:30am Contact us at nativityburke.org/nativity,

[email protected], or (703) 455-2300. We look forward to meeting you!

Nativity Catholic School is committed to making Catholic education accessible to those who desire it, and offers

financial assistance to make their dream come true. Yes, Catholic education is worth the investment!

******************************** Grand Opening! -- You Are Invited -- Today, Sunday, March 24

Community Event Spring Book Fair

-- After All Masses In the School Cafeteria

**************************************

Kindergarten Seats Open for the 2019-20 School Year A couple of Kindergarten seats just opened up for next

school year -- contact Shannon Murphy, at [email protected], or 703-455-2300,

for more information. Join Us!

Photo: Celebrating 100 Days of School -- Sorting & Counting Our Special Snack By 10s!

*******************************

We Welcome Your Help ~~ ‘Swinging on a Star’ When: Saturday, April 6, 2019

What: The Annual Nativity Parish & School Auction Where: Father Martin Center

Have a gift card you’re not using? Please donate it to the school auction. Just place it in an envelope and drop it off at

the Church or School Office - ATTN: School Auction. Thanks!

Auction tickets ($50/person) and Raffle tickets for Classroom baskets will be sold March 23-24 & 30-31 -- after Masses (see Sign-Up Genius) -- as well as online.

Got Questions? Want to Help? Email Kathleen Baldino, Auction Chair,

at [email protected]. We look forward to seeing you there! *******************************

Scholarships Deadline A Week Away!! April 1, 2019 is the deadline for the Kathy Davis and

Knights of Columbus Scholarship submissions. Contact Annie Fernandez for more information at email:

[email protected].

Donut Sunday, next weekend after all Masses in the Fr. Martin Center

http://www.nativityburke.org/nativityschool/

Website: www.nativityburke.org Third Sunday of Lent March 24, 2019

Appalachia Home Building

The Knights continue to seek your help to raise funds to build Nativity's 21st home in the heart of Appalachia. To date, the collections total is at $62,220 towards our goal of $65,000 with new donations arriving every day. Checks may be made payable to Nativity Catholic Church, but please annotate that it is for the Appalachia Home Building. Checks can also be mailed to: Nativity at 6400 Nativity Lane, Burke, VA 22015.

It’s time to start planning the 2019 Fall Festival!

We need your help!

Please prayerfully consider joining the Fall Festival committee. There are openings in various committees. Due to new commitments, some committee members cannot serve in the same capacity they did last year. Specifically, we need new Co-Chairmen for the event. You will have plenty of guidance from committee members!

We are looking for volunteers to help with the planning and coordination of this year’s Fall Festival. If you have ideas for new things, and would like to help plan and coordinate please come to our planning meeting.

The next meeting will be: March 27th in the Father Ready Room at 7:00pm

Nativity Italian Heritage and Cultural Society

From Here to San Cataldo - A Personal Journey in Genealogy

Join us THIS Thursday, March 28, 2019 at 7:00pm, as Martin Novak, chair of our Genealogy Committee, takes us back in time to Sicily at the turn of the 20th Century. He discusses what life was like for Sicilian peasants, why they made the decision to come to America, the challenges they faced in their new world, and a remarkable family trip in 2016 that took him and his family to visit their ancestral hometown of San Cataldo, Sicily.

Martin conducts genealogy workshops here at Nativity. As always, a social hour will follow. Donations of food and drink are needed. For membership, join at a meeting or contact: [email protected].

Visitors welcomed for a $5 fee. Look us up on the Nativity website: nativityburke.org/nihcs.

During the Month of February, through the Sacrament of Baptism, we joyfully welcomed the

following into our Parish Community:

Rachel Logan James Benjamin Allen Diego Torruellas Serra Corin Fischl

CONGRATULATIONS!

SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH RECOVERY If you have a family member or friend, aged 18 years of age

or older, with a mental illness, we would welcome you to a National Alliance on Mental Illness of Northern Virginia Family Support Group where we will share strategies and

information to help ourselves and our loved ones. The next monthly meeting will take place in Classroom 242

in the Nativity School, on Wednesday, March 27, from 7:30 – 9:00pm. For more information, go to

www.NAMI-NorthernVirginia.org and visit the “Families” page. The group is led by co-facilitators trained by NAMI.

Interested in advertising in the bulletin? Call Rick Cortez at 412-292-0132

or e-mail: [email protected]

http://northernvirginia.org/


Contact Director: Alison Fram [email protected], cell: 703-577-5329

Find us on the parish website: nativityburke.org

COLLEGE MINISTRY and

YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY

Young Adult Ministry Serving people ages 21-39

Facebook Group - “Catholic Life Young Adult Ministry”

Instagram - @nativityyam

Weekly: Tuesdays 7:30pm - Small Group Thursdays 8:30pm - Basketball

“Joyful Noise” Praise and Worship, Adoration, Confession - Friday, April 12 *8:00-9:30pm in the Church

*This month only it starts half an hour later

YA Pilgrimage with Fr. Vaccaro - Saturday, April 27

Save the date, more details to come!

Fairfax TOT - Monday, April 15, 7:30pm at The Auld Shebeen, Speaker is Fr. Tipton, Theme: “The Pipe, The Pint and the Cross” (Integration of Public and Private Prayer)

See our full list of u coming events: nativityburke.org/youngadult

COLLEGE MINISTRY

Serving people ages 18 - 21

Follow us on social media!

Facebook Group - Nativity College Ministry

Instagram - @nativitycollege

Our College Mission Trip is July 8 -12, 2019

“I knew God was calling me to something great, but until I got there I had no idea how great it would be. Being able to fully dive into the communities, start to

learn the language, and meet so many beautiful people had me in awe. I quickly learned that love has no

language barrier… it’s something that I learned could come back home with me and be constantly shared.”

Maura Blanchfield, GMU

Applications are online! Visit nativityburke.org/collegemission2019

See our full list of upcoming events: nativityburke.org/college

Serving students in Grades 6 thru 12

For Complete Information nativityburke.org/cym

March - June 2019 High School (HS) - Weekly - Sundays LifeTEEN - 6:30pm dinner, 7:00pm Ministry - Thursdays Boys Small Group - 7:00pm

Middle School (MS) - Grades 6, 7, and 8 Sundays - EDGE - 3:30pm - 5:00pm

Seasonal -One Act Theater Ministry - Winter - MS& HS

-RALLY - Diocesan HS Event - Fall

-BASH - Diocesan MS Event - Spring

-Trunk or Treat - Fall (Family Event)

-Life Is VERY Good - Diocesan HS Event -Winter

-Living Stations of the Cross - 8th and HS - Lent

Summer of Service - HS Summer Mission July 21-28 (registration closed)

- Vacation Bible Camp - June 25-28, 2019

CampEDGE - Grades 5, 6 and 7, June 25-27. 2019

- Volunteers Grades 8-12 and ages 18-99

Find out what’s going on in Youth Ministry

Get the Weekly CYM Instant UPdate!

Send Email to Ms. Ingrid [email protected] -Include Child’s Name, School, Grade and Birthdate, Cell -Parent/Guardian names, cell numbers, emails

Follow Us nativi tycym

CampEDGE June 25, 26, 27 Current Grades 5-6-7

VBC June 25, 26, 27, 28 Current Grades PreK-4

Visit: nativityburke.org/cym/summercamps/ On Line Registration Opens May 1

mailto:[email protected]


Libres porque Dios nos libera

Me van a disculpar que comience recordando una de las tiras cómicas de Quino y de su personaje emblemático Mafalda. Es una de las veces en que Mafalda está contemplando el globo terráqueo y siente un natural pesimismo. Tiene presente todo lo que pasa en nuestro mundo: guerras, injusticias, opresión, enfermedad. Y muchas de esas cosas causadas por la misma mano del hombre. Así que echa la vista hacia arriba como invocando la ira y el castigo de Dios. Pero enseguida se arrepiente y en la última viñeta de la tira sale su pensamiento en un globo: “¡Es que nos tiene una paciencia!”.En esa tira Quino ha sabido recoger algo que es central en el Evangelio y en la Biblia entera: la misericordia y la paciencia de Dios con nosotros no tienen límite. Dios es así por la sencilla razón de que somos sus criaturas y nos ama infinitamente y sin condiciones. Desde esta perspectiva deberíamos leer la primera lectura y el Evangelio de este domingo. Yo soy el que libera La primera lectura nos acerca a los primeros momentos del relato de la gran historia del Éxodo. Dios se dirige a Moisés. Se identifica como el Dios de sus padres. Anuncia su intervención en favor de su pueblo. Les va a liberar de la opresión de los egipcios, les va a sacar de aquella tier-ra de opresión e injusticia para llevarlos a una tierra de libertad, que mana leche y miel. Dios se define a sí mismo como “el que soy” y se le conoce únicamente por la acción que va a ejecutar: liberar a su pueblo. Dicho con otras palabras, Dios es el que libera. Y libera porque se apiada de los que sufren opresión e injusticia. Ahí está la motivación profunda de la acción de Dios. No se lleva a su pueblo de Egipto para tener sus propios esclavos. No se trata de una lucha entre el faraón y Dios para determinar quién es el amo del pueblo. Dios quiere la libertad para su pueblo. Y así ha pasado el testigo de generación en generación hasta nuestros días. En el Evangelio parece que Jesús pretende en primer destruir una imagen falsa de Dios que se ha ido creando entre los judíos –y también entre nosotros actualmente–: que la enfermedad, la muerte, el sufrimiento son castigo de Dios. Si así fuese, Dios sería una especie de juez terrible que iría repartiendo castigos a diestro y siniestro a todo el que no cumpliese a la perfección sus leyes. Ante él habría que estar llenos de temor y temblor porque su presencia supondría siempre una amenaza para nuestra vida. “Déjala un año más” Muy al contrario, la parábola que cuenta Jesús ofrece la imagen opuesta de Dios. No es el juez terrible siempre dispuesto a dictar sentencia condenatoria. La idea central de la parábola es que el viñador intercede para conceder una nueva prórroga, un nuevo plazo, a la higuera. Siempre se puede hacer algo más en su favor, siempre se puede abonar más y cavar más. Y esperar a que llegue el tiempo en que dé su fruto. Definitivamente, así es Dios: lleno de misericordia y paciencia, amor incondicional para todos y cada uno de nosotros. Dios desea nuestra vida y que nos liberemos de todo lo que nos oprime y nos impide vivir con la dignidad de hijos e hijas de Dios. Dios nos ha hecho para ser hijos e hijas suyos. Dios nos ha creado para ser libres. Y cuando vivimos en la esclavitud, Dios sufre y se rebela. Con mano fuerte y brazo po-deroso interviene en favor de los oprimidos y lucha con ellos por su liberación. Ese es el Abbá de Jesús, ese es el Dios en quien creemos. Las lecturas de hoy, en el marco de la Cuaresma, nos ayudan a seguir purificando nuestra magen de Dios. Y a recordarnos que nuestro comportamiento, nuestras actitudes, se deben modelar sobre la misma forma de ser de Dios. Ahí es donde nos tenemos que convertir. Para que ni nosotros seamos esclavos de nadie ni de nada ni hagamos esclavos a los demás. Para que nos comprometamos a vivir, nosotros y todos, como hijos e hijas de Dios. Fernando Torres Pérez, cmf


Como te prepares para la Pascua?

El Miercoles de Ceniza iniciamos la Cuaresma - tiempo de preparacíon para la

celebracíon de los misterios pascuales.

Este año la parroquia te invita a una serie de sábados (durante cuaresma)

de reflexíon sobre como CAMINAR CON ALEGRIA HACIA LA

PASCUA, en los que tendrás la oportunidad de profundizar en los momentos

importantes de la Misericordia de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo y meditar en

Su Pasíon, muerte y resurreccíon.

RETIRO DE CUARESMA 2019

Cuaresma: Camino de Alegria

Hacia la Pascua

PARA REGISTRARTE, CONTACTAR A: Lucy Benavides

FECHA Y HORA:

23 de Marzo: 11:00am-2:00pm Diácono José Pardo

6 de Abril: 11:00am-2:00pm

Diácono José Lopez

13 de Abril: 11:00am-2:00pm Padre Francis Russo, ofm cap.

Lugar: Salon de P. Ready

Costo: Gratis “Traer su almuerzo y biblia”

III DOMINGO CUARESMA - C Evangelio de la Misa: Lc 13,1-9 Responsabilidad personal Hoy se podría leer en la Santa Misa, como todos los años el evangelio de la Samaritana, pues tal es la importancia que este pasaje tiene, especialmente en la Cuaresma. No ob-stante consideramos el propio evangelio de este día, que también se acomoda perfectamente al tiempo cuaresmal, pues ayuda a vivir y profundizar en la Conversión personal, que se debe intensificar en este tiempo litúrgico, preparato-rio de la Semana Santa, y más concretamente de la cele-bración de la Pascua de resurrección de Jesús. En la misma dirección están orientadas todas las lecturas de la Misa. _______________________________________________ Metidos de lleno en la Cuaresma, Señor, sigues clamándonos por la conversión del corazón y de la vida práctica. ¡Gracias por estas llamadas de atención que me haces! Que de verdad las oiga y las medite y las tenga en cuenta en mis obras. También, Señor, me resultan muy oportunas para mí las advertencias hechas a los que criticaban a al-gunos galileos por el modo como ofrecían los sacrificios en el templo. La soberbia, que me acompaña siempre, me domina y me lleva a juzgar ligeramente o a criticar con dureza a los que parecen no tener fe, o viven alegremente sin exigirse en piedad y caridad, o parecen tener poca profesionalidad o seriedad en la vida. Incluso, a veces, me creo mejor que ellos porque cumplo algunos deberes religiosos y hago algunas obras de cari-dad o mantengo las formas externas de vida y convivencia social. Que sea, Señor, humilde y sincero, para escucharte y en-tenderte. Que nunca olvide tus palabras admonitorias: “Y si no os convertís, todos pereceréis de la misma manera”. Con claridad y urgencia, Señor, me invitas a la verdadera con-versión del corazón y de la vida. ¡Gracias, Señor, por estas llamadas! Quiero, Señor, ser viña fecunda, o mejor, quiero cultivar mi viña en mi persona y en mi vida. Comprendo tu amor al darme la vida cuidándola con tantos talentos como estoy recibiendo de Ti: la salud o la enfermedad, la familia y los amigos, el tiempo de trabajar, de convivir, de diver-tirme y de ayudar a los demás; además de tantos bienes materiales y sociales. Esperas, Señor, que sea yo quien per-sonalmente los cultive, los trabaje, los aproveche. Ayúdame a ser verdaderamente responsable de todo ello y por tanto que nunca ceje en mi afán por la santidad personal y por el apostolado. Te prometo, Señor, avanzar en esta re-sponsabilidad durante esta Cuaresma. Padre Segismundo Fernandez Rodríguez

lenten schedule - nativity catholic church · lenten penance service with bishop burbidge thursday,...

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