Welcome to St. Virgil’s… Mass Intentions for the Week

Sat., Feb. 9 5:00 PM Anthony Fiore Edmund Keyes

Sun., Feb. 10 7:30 AM Jean Williams Mary Sittmann

9:00 AM Edward P. Kerrigan—1st Anniversary Kathleen Lakeland Mary Sittmann

10:30 AM Joseph Loia Mary Sittmann

12:00 PM Ann Marie Lagan Art Grant—2nd Anniversary Alex Vargo

Mon., Feb. 11 6:30 AM Jack Palumbo 12:10 PM Nanette Rodormer Tues., Feb. 12 6:30 AM ErmaLinda Longo

Richie Esposito 12:10 PM Julie Balacco

Rose Prisco Donna Prisco Phylis Resh Lester Resh

Wed., Feb. 13 6:30 AM Mickey Toye-Young—Special Intentions

12:10 PM Elaine Kaiser Patricia Meade Scanlon—23rd Anniversary

Thurs., Feb. 14 6:30 AM Lottie & John Martin 12:10 PM Pam Antonaccio

Fred Mandato Marsha Contrucci

Fri., Feb. 15 6:30 AM Grant Morgan 12:10 PM Special Thanks to St. Jude Sat., Feb. 16 8:00 AM Jack O’Brien—3rd Anniversary 5:00 PM Anthony Cerrato Sun., Feb. 17 7:30 AM Jean Williams

Phyllis & Francis D’Annunzio 9:00 AM Alice Morris 10:30 AM Brian Boucher

Devon Adair 12:00 PM Robert Roche

We offer our prayerful condolences to the family and friends of Judy Anderson, Jeffrey Paul Leloia and Karen Yannaconne who were called home to the Lord. We pray that Judy, Jeff and Karen rest peacefully with the Lord.

This Week at St. Virgil’s

“Find Your Greatness” With Dr. Allan Hunt

From Dynamic Catholic Tickets available the weekends of

February 9/10 and 23/24 or in the Parish Office

Saturday/Sunday, February 9/10 Dynamic Catholic Ticket Sales after Mass

Sunday, February 10 Choir Rehearsal, 9:30 AM, CR

PREP K-4, 10:15-11:45 AM, School Youth Mass, 12 noon

Jr. High PREP, 1 – 3:15 PM, School 1st Yr. FISH, 6:30 – 9 PM, School

Monday, February 11 Miraculous Medal Novena following the 12:10PM

Mass Jr. High PREP, 7 – 8:15PM, School

Tuesday, February 12 Return Support Group, 11 AM, TC

Knights of Columbus Meeting, 8 PM, TC

Wednesday, February 13 RCIA, 7 PM, CMR

Thursday, February 14 Bible Study, 10:30 AM, TC

Divine Mercy Novena, 6:30 PM, Chapel Bible Study, 7 PM, TC

Friday, February 15 Eucharistic Adoration following the 6:30 AM Mass

Prime Time, 1 PM, TC

Saturday, February 16 Confession, 3:30 – 4:15 PM

Sunday, February 17 Choir Rehearsal, 9:30 AM, CR

Youth Band Practice, 5 – 6 PM, Church

Among Ourselves

Please remember in your prayers: Margaret Ellis, Mary Eileen Prisinzano, Noreen Ballon, Eileen Langan, Karen Cullen, Mary Sullivan, Colleen Dillon & Family, Bob Taylor, John & Elizabeth Zisa, Kamasha Redhead, Stephen Burke, Sandra Buck, Janet Dittrich, Mallory Miller, Miah Tully, Domenico & Teresa Procopio, Sue & Silvano, Anne Benson, Baby Emma Scannelli, Barbara Bock, Mary Maffeo, & Rose Marie Warrick.

We are very grateful for your on-going generosity during the year. The regular collection for the weekend of February 2/3 was $11,405 ($9,473 for in pew donations and $1,932 from Faith Direct).

Ministry Schedule for February 16 and 17

5:00pm Vigil 7:30am 9:00am 10:30am 12:00 noon Cantor Nancy Fenimore Nina Rangel Riti Suresh Sam Cifelli Lector Bob Clifford Robert Vigorito Lynn Kelly Rick Kane Ellesa Effner Altar Servers Lia Dyer Anthony Tonini Luken Biggan Anthony Loia Micah Fuentes Natalie Dyer Brandon Kelly Michael Szoke Chris Urriola Extraordinary Marianne Altrui Jackie Donnelley Barbara Fisher Viji Alex Phyllis Bonanno Ministers Packy Doherty Cathy Marshall Lydia Sesso Maureen Kelly Deanna Colasurdo Jane Flynn Debbie Richenaker Kathy Sisler Pearl Law Jackie Colasurdo Marie Hantak Gary Richenaker Mary Jo Tufaro Karen Schwingel Andrew DeBlock Grace Walsh Cheryl Zebick Angela Rangel Bob Zebick Tim Scanlon

“Put out into the deep” - in Latin “Duc in Altum” - a phrase taken from this Sunday’s Gospel when Jesus asked Peter to trust Him over and above his personal expertise in fishing and launch

his boat into deeper waters. Duc in Altum has become the name and title of many organizations, particularly those related to spiritual life and social action. This second week in February is certainly Jesus’ invitation to us: Put out into the deep! Trust Him and His desire to re-create us as dedicated members of His Body. Listen to Jesus inviting you personally to a more engaged life in prayer and sacraments, in service and community building, in personal and spiritual health. For our men and women we have the Cornerstone Retreats (for Men - February 15 and 16; for our Women - March 15 and 16). As a parish family I strongly appeal to each of you to participate in the March 30 - “Find Your Greatness” parish retreat offered by Dr. Allen Hunt. It is truly a miracle that St. Virgil Parish was selected to be the venue for this retreat. The cost - $25 - goes entirely to Dynamic Catholic who use the collected ticket sales for a lot of their ministry to bring the Catholic Faith into our parish and personal lives. So, “Put out into the Deep” and trust in Jesus’ invitation to you to break from your routine and allow His grace to fill up your life.

Lent is about one month away - begins on March 6, Ash Wednesday. Lent is our Catholic “springtime” to cultivate a stronger, affective and effective life with Jesus. It will be most helpful to prepare ourselves for Lent: making a prayer space at home; selecting spiritual reading; joining a bible study; deciding how and when to participate in daily Mass; Lenten devotions; which “virtues” / good habits to practice; definitely celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The purpose of “Lent” (springtime) is to grow “the Garden of Paradise”, to become a “resurrected person”.

So, “put out into the deep” and let us as a parish family involve ourselves in courageously following the invitation of Jesus. May God bless each of us and our families - Fr. Lance

p.s. St. Valentine is celebrated on Thursday, February 14. May God’s gift of Love become more visible and

experienced within our parish families and among all our friends. Happy Saint Valentine’s Day!

Weekly Reflections

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Times Old Testament Isaiah 6:1-2a,3-8 New Testament Luke 5-1-11

As previously observed, the themes from the Old Testament are replicated in the New Testament. The experiences and emotions of the people today are not much different than those of the people then.

In this week’s reading from the Old Testament, Isaiah encountered God, who took a tong to his lips and thereby removed his sin. Isaiah heard the voice of the Lord saying to him: “Whom shall I send?” to which Isaiah replied... “Here I am, send me.” In Luke’s New Testament passage, ordinary fishermen met Christ after they had a failed night on the sea. Christ told them to go out again. They did as they were told and had an amazing catch of fish. Their response was to feel unworthy even to be in the presence of such an amazing act, but they were told not to be afraid. They left all their possessions and followed Jesus, though none were worthy or deserving of this call from Jesus. And neither are we. Yet, generations apart from those undeserving people in the Old and New Testaments we are called to follow Christ. Even in our smallness and emptiness, Christ calls us to do His work every day, in our own way. As it has been said, we are all just ordinary people called to do extraordinary things. These reading tell us we must drop everything and follow Him. Throughout the Bible there are repeated calls, such as these, to others, demonstrating the same response “Here I am Lord!”

As we go about living our lives today, we feel the same “ordinariness” about ourselves as the people in the Old and New Testaments felt - that we, as they were, are flawed, regular human beings. Whom among us also would not feel worthy enough to encounter God, yet compelled to answer His call to us by responding “Yes, of course, send me?”

Here is the hope that we will be alert to His call and choose to follow Him today.

Lord, call us and we shall follow.

Fr. Lance’s Letter

If there is a member of your family serving in the military and you would like their name included, please call the Parish Office.

Please pray for all those serving in defense of our Country, both at home and abroad, especially:

Lieutenant Commander Daniel M. Leahey Lieutenant Patrick J. Leahey Lieutenant Mark C. Leahey Lieutenant R. Andrew McGuinness Lieutenant Mark Van Orden Captain Gary Windt Petty Officer 2nd Class Timothy Butchko Master Sergeant. T.J. Hopkins

Parish Postings

In the event that PREP classes, Formation sessions, or meetings need to be cancelled due to inclement weather, a message will be posted on the Parish website (www.stvirgilparish.org) at least one hour prior to the start of session.

Help Wanted: Altar Angels Would you consider being an altar angel? No experience necessary. Work from home. Requires washing and ironing of purificators used at Mass. Washing towels used for drying vessels

at Mass, and when needed washing and ironing of altar cloths. Many hands make the burden light. If interested, please contact Pat Para at 973-452-8417 or email me at motown9@att.net.

Volunteers Needed at Morris View Health Care

For many years, St. Virgil parishioners have assembled at Morris View Health Care Center on West Hanover Avenue on Tuesday mornings to bring the Eucharist to the residents. For residents who are mobile, the volunteers escort them to and from the chapel. For those that are confined to their beds, the extraordinary ministers bring them the Eucharist. If you are available on Tuesday mornings and would like to join the Morris View volunteers, please contact Maureen Kelly at (973) 267-0022 or Deacon Merle Sisler at (973) 538-1379.

Faith Formation

Religious Education Schedule for February

PREP K – 4 Jr. High PREP 5-8 Jr. High Masses 9 AM

FISH (Confirmation)

Youth Masses 12:00 Noon

10:15-11:45 AM February 10 & 24

Sunday: 1-3:15 PM February 10

6:30 PM 1st Yr.: February 10

February 10 & 24

Monday: 7 – 8:15 PM February 11 & 25

Thursday Morning Bible Study A prayerful review of the Sunday readings. Thursday mornings at 10:30 AM in the Tracy Center. Contact: Kathy Sisler (973) 538-1379

Thursday Evening Bible Study: The Book of Exodus In this study we will see it is NOT just an exciting rescue mission but has a goal of freedom from sin. We will learn what God means by calling Himself “I AM”. Join us Thursday evenings in the School Library at 7 PM. Contact: Phil Alcock at philipalcock1@verizon.net.

Return: How to Draw Your Child Back to Church Many of us are concerned about our children, they don’t go to Mass anymore, we may not even be certain they still believe in God. We know the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ, by being part of Christ’s body on earth—which is the Catholic Church. Join us as we explore Brandon Vogt’s book Return: How to Draw Your Child Back to Church and discuss ideas that will lead our children back to church. Join us Tuesday mornings at 11 AM in the Tracy Center. Contact: philipalcock1@verizon.net

Saturday, March 30, 2019

9am – 1 pm

Tickets $25

Tickets on sale in the Sanctuary after all Masses on the weekends of February 9/10 and February 23/24 and in the Parish Office.

Men’s Cornerstone VII

The theme of Cornerstone VII is “God’s Plan for You.” Come join us at the Loyola House of Retreats in Morristown on February 15/16 for 27 hours of reflection, spiritual growth, some good healthy discussions with like-minded men and some great food as well.

Pilgrimage to The Divine Mercy Shrine in Stockbridge, Massachusetts on Friday, June 14

The grounds of the National Shrine consist of 375 acres of land nestled in the beautiful Berkshire Mountains in Western Massachusetts. The name of the property is called “Eden Hill” because of its natural

beauty. On the grounds of Eden Hill, you can explore the National Shrine Church which offers daily Mass, confessions, adoration, rosary, benediction, the chalet of Divine Mercy, the bless of religious articles and a blessing with a first-class relic of St. Faustina. There are five outdoor shrines including lifesize Stations of the Cross. Their gift shop is the larges religious articles store in New England.

Plan to join our Parish Pilgrimage on June 14. Bus transportation and a box lunch will be provided for $45. More details will follow.

Ministries and Outreaches

Youth Ministry Thank You

Thanks to all for your generosity on Souper Bowl Sunday!!! Our youth ministry teams enjoyed doing the skits and your generosity enabled us to raise $2,577 for hungry families. Your gifts will be divided equally between Homeless Solutions and the Interfaith Food Pantry. Give, and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you. Luke 6:38.

Appalachia Outreach 2019

You're invited to an Applebee's Flapjack Fundraiser

Breakfast to support

The 2019 St. Virgil's Appalachian Outreach Team on Saturday, February 23 ~ 8am-10am

Applebee's, 240 Route 10, East Hanover, NJ

Tickets cost $10/person. They can be purchased from any team member or by contacting Julie O'Kane: [juliepokane@yahoo.com OR 973-656-0654]. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the door.

Your breakfast includes pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, and a beverage (coffee, tea, juice, or soda). It will be served (and cleaned up!) by a smiling Appalachia Team member.

Donations are also happily accepted and greatly appreciated!

Thanks so much for your support!

Spring Cleaning Early!

If you were lucky and received new tools for Christmas, the Appalachia Outreach Team would love to have your old ones. We are currently in need of cordless (battery powered) drills and circular saws for our work teams. Electricity is in short supply on our sites, so cordless tools work best. We are also in need of good quality screwdrivers, pliers, and wrenches.

Our teams this past year worked on homes that needed plumbing help, flooring replaced, ramps built and of course, our favorite, roofing. As we are now working under Holy Trinity in Harlan, we need a few more tools as we are doing more on-site homeowner repairs. Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

Please look for updates on our upcoming mission to Harlan.

In His Grace, Penny Please remember the Interfaith Food Pantry while you are doing your grocery shopping. Pantry needs are extensive this time of year. Current needs are: canned fruit, spaghetti/pasta sauce, tomato products, cereal-low sugar, high fiber, white and brown rice, dry milk, evaporated milk, calcium-fortified milk alternatives, tuna fish, peanut butter (18oz), canned meats and meals, Rice-A-Roni, Pasta-Roni, Hamburger Helper, Tuna Helper, all varieties of soups, Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3 baby food, baby cereal, baby wipes, reusable grocery shopping bags, Boost or Ensure regular and glucose control.

Around the Diocese

Morris Catholic High School Crusader Cards

Our Crusader Card sale has begun! Cards are $10 each and offer discounts for various restaurants and stores in our local area. Contact Mrs. Pope at the High School if you are interested or visit the school website to download a form at https://www.morriscatholic.org/apps/news/article/964719?mc_cid=4d4774df58&mc_eid=21c38f0a30.

Cards can be used over and over until December 31, 2019!

The Compassionate Friends, a self-help group for bereaved parents, siblings, and grandparents will be meeting on Thursday, February 14, at St. Christopher's Church, Parsippany, at 7:30 PM in room 101. This month’s program: "Choices" (Bring a picture of your child). For more information please call Lily Capriglione at: 973-568-4164.

St. Patrick School Accepting 2019-2020 Applications Now!

Come and see how your child can #BeTheFuture at St. Patrick School! St. Patrick is the only Catholic, National Blue Ribbon, and STEM Certified school in the U.S. And, the teachers at St. Patrick School average 20 years of teaching experience with more than 35% having Masters and/or Doctorate degrees. Want to learn more: Email admissions@st-pats.org or call 973-635-4623.

Upcoming Days of Pray at Loyola Retreat Center

Please join us for a Day of Prayer as we enter the Lenten season.

LOYOLA DAY OF PRAYER – Ash Wednesday

Wednesday, March 6, 2019 9:00am – 3:00pm

Loyola Jesuit Center, Morristown, NJ Cost: $40 Includes breakfast, lunch, Reconciliation, Mass

and distribution of ashes Led by: Rev. Tom Marciniak, S.J.

Register at www.loyola.org

LOYOLA DAY OF PRAYER – Discernment

Learn practical ways to discover what God is calling us do to in the big and small decisions of our lives.

Sunday, March 24, 2019 2:00pm – 7:00pm Includes Dinner and Mass

Loyola Jesuit Center, Morristown, NJ Cost: $40 Includes dinner and Mass

Led by: Marie Santana, Spiritual Director Register at www.loyola.org

Separated and Divorced Catholics Support Group

This is a reminder that we are having the Assumption Separated and Divorced Catholics Support Group this coming Monday, February 11, in Rauscher Hall.

Journey through Lent with Dr. Tim Gray

Set yourself up for a transformative 40 days with FORMED Lenten Reflections. Get daily videos from esteemed Scripture expert Dr. Tim Gray delivered right to your inbox. Don’t miss a day of growing closer to our Lord. Sign up today at www.formed.org.

Don’t Miss Genesis to Jesus This Lent

Based on the covenantal theology of world-renowned scholar Scott Hahn and produced by Matthew Leonard, Genesis to Jesus makes the story of salvation history brilliantly clear and vibrantly alive. Sign up now to watch Genesis to Jesus for free! www.formed.org.