February 19, 2006 BulletinSEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY
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February 19, 2006 Week of Feb. 20, 2005 - Feb. 26, 2006 It is I, I who wipe out, for my own sake, your offenses; your sins I remember no more. --Isaiah 43:25 Today's Readings Readings for the Week Priest Intentions for the Week Ash Wednesday & Lent Announcements --Parish ----School of Faith and Formation ----Youth Ministry and Confirmation ----Other Parish Announcements --Diocese --Community Finances Today's Readings First Reading - Isaiah 43:18-19, 21-22, 24b-25 Psalm - Psalm 41 Second Reading - 2 Corinthians 1:18-22 Gospel - Mark 2:1-12 UNMERITED FORGIVENESS As hard as it may be for us to forgive others, it may be even more difficult to believe that we ourselves can be forgiven. We keep remembering that we don't deserve forgiveness. And we are right. The paralyzed man in today's Gospel did nothing to merit mercy. We don't even know if he believed in Jesus! Jesus forgave his sins--not because he deserved forgiveness, but in order to manifest God's astounding, even unbelievable, mercy. Paul tells us that Christ is the "Yes" who faithfully fulfills "the promises of God" to us. He fulfills the new promise of God in Isaiah to "wipe out your offenses" and remember our sins no more. He fulfills the words of the psalm, having pity on us and healing us, though we have sinned against him. Our response must be to glorify God with our resounding "Amen! Amen!" (c) Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co. TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION Over time, the crisis of last illness and the way the faithful met death changed. In earliest times, a sickbed vigil was an occasion for the community to gather and strengthen the dying person with assurances of love. A thousand years ago, in part because of massive upheavals in society, a new emphasis on individual repentance captured the imagination of millions. Death was to be feared, because it was about judgment. The delights of heaven's banquet dimmed, since most people saw God's just judgment and inevitable punishment intervening. If a community gathered at all, it was not to express faith in the Resurrection, but to seek forgiveness for those who were powerless to help themselves. The dead couldn't improve their situation, but their loved ones, by expressing sorrow for sin, could. Better yet, the clergy could, if they intervened in a timely fashion, provide the absolution needed for everyone to relax. Ministry to the sick shifted away from a ministry of consolation toward a challenge to repent before it was too late. As the sense grew that most people died with their work of repentance incomplete, the color black was reintroduced to funerals. It was the old pagan way of expressing despair. No wonder they call this time in history the "Dark Ages." Many layers have had to be peeled away to reveal the deepest, most positive expressions of our tradition of care for the dying. --James Field, (c) Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co. Readings for the Week
Priest Intentions
Ash Wednesday Palms for Ash Wednesday Please bring in last year's palms the weekends of February 18 & 19, and 25 & 26. The palms will be burned and used during this year's Ash Wednesday services. Ash Wednesday Masses Ash Wednesday Masses will take place on March 1, 2006 at 8:00 AM , 12 noon, 5:00 & 7:30 PM. Announcements School of Faith & Formation President's Day Holiday NO CLASSES on Monday, February 20 - School is closed. First Communion We Belong - This week the young people of our parish preparing for Eucharist are reflecting on their Baptism. Through Baptism we are initiated into the life of Christ and his Body, the Church. Our membership in the Christian community is both a privilege and a responsibility. How are we as a parish witnessing the Holy Spirit's presence to others? First Communion Candidates - Mandatory Parent Meeting Students & at least one parent are required to attend one meeting for the Sacrament of First Communion (Eucharist): Tuesday, February 28, 7:30 pm, Church or Saturday, March 4, 10:30 am, Church Youth Ministry and Confirmation Youth Ministry There will be no meeting on Monday, February 20 due to the President’s Day holiday. For Guys Only!! We're trying something new. . . only the guys of St. Anne Youth Ministry will meet on Monday, February 27 at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall. The group will watch Pam Stenzel's DVD: "Sex-Ed. . . No Screwin Around" a faith-based presentation about experiences, character, STD's, pregnancy, boundaries, abstinence, friends, respect, body parts, good relationships and bad ones, boys and girls. The girls of St. Anne Youth Ministry met on February 13 and had a GREAT meeting. Confirmation St. Anne Confirmation candidates meet again on Sunday, February 26 at 3:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Save the Environment & Raise Funds For Charity: Collecting Used Cellphones and Empty Inkjet Cartridges Do you have a used cellphone taking space in a drawer or cabinet? Do you have empty inkjet cartridges lying around? Did you know that these items contain metals that harm our environment if thrown in the trash or improperly disposed of? Bring your used cellphones and empty inkjet cartridges and place in the specially marked bins at the church entrances this weekend or next weekend (Feb 26). The phones and cartridges will be reconditioned or reused or disposed in an environmentally-friendly manner. Proceeds from this fundraiser will go towards the St. Anne's Confirmation Class Service Project. Click here for more details. Other Parish Announcements Fr. Geoffrey's Installation as Pastor This Sunday, February 19th, at the 12:00 pm Mass, Fr. Geoffrey F. Baraan will be installed as pastor of St. Anne Church. Everyone is invited to attend. There will also be a reception in the parish Social Hall following the Mass. Parish Office Closed for Presidents' Day Holiday The parish office will be closed Monday, February 20, 2006. Eucharistic Ministers Spiritual Growth Seminar The Spiritual Growth Seminar for all Eucharistic Ministers will be held on Wednesday, March 22 at 7:30 pm or Saturday, May 13 at 9:30 am. Both seminars will be in the parish Social Hall. You need to attend one of seminars. Legion of Mary: Invitation to Join Do you honor the Blessed Virgin Mary by praying the Rosary? Have you experienced the Blessed Mother's maternal love and caring in times of trials and suffering in your life? If the answer is "Yes" to these questions, you are invited to join the Legion of Mary as an active member. Parishioners have a choice of the following options to "Come and See" to share in the many graces and benefits of active membership by attending one of the praesiduim meetings. Adult membership: 18 years old and above meets every Wednesday at 7:30 pm or Friday at 7:00 pm in Classroom #103. Junior Legion of Mary: 12-17 years old with adult leadership meets every Sunday at 3:00 pm in Classroom #103. As an active member of the worldwide Legion of Mary organization you share in the following benefits: transformation and ongoing conversion into active faith and prayer life through mutual support in a local parish community, (i.e.,praesidium) and Legion of Mary organization worldwide; live out active faith in ministry through outreach to the least among us in the family, parish, and community; and share in a grace-filled faith journey through prayer, mutual support and community life in a praesidium. Safely Home - Bereavement Grief Support Ministry JESUS SAID; "Blessed are the sorrowing, they shall be consoled. Come to me all who labor and are burdened. I will give you rest" Come join our grief support group. A safe haven for grievers to walk through their grief process. Give yourself permission to grieve. Grieving is the way towards healing. Our group offers compassion, companionship and personal understanding for we have also lost loved ones and know the pain and the healings! The following are the dates and times for the Wednesday night meetings: February 22, 2006 March 8, 2006, March 22, 2006 All meetings 6:30-8:30 pm at the St. Anne Group Meeting Room 101. No reservations are needed. For more information call, Roseann Langley 510-471-6545 or email VIINBUR@AOL.COM St. Anne Spring Dance Tickets are now on sale for the Saturday, April 29th Spring Dance to be held in our Social Hall, 6:30 – 11:30 pm. Tickets are $25.00 for adults and $10.00 For children 13 and under. Diocese Announcements Bishop's Appeal During the month of February our parish (along with all the parishes of the Diocese of Oakland) is participating in the 2005 Bishop's Appeal. Your pledge/donation to the Bishop's Appeal provides the "financial life-blood" for many essential needs of our wider Church: Clergy support and Lay Leadership Training, Education Ministries, Spiritual Ministries, Family & Youth Ministries, Diocesan Services. Last year you raised $29,774.50. This year the diocese has placed our goal at $30,825.00. Thank you for your continuing support. Community Announcements Reflection Day for Young Adult Women Young adult women are invited to Turning Your Heart to God, a time for reflection and sharing, on Saturday, March 11, 10:00 am to 3:30 pm, at Presentation Retreat Center in Los Gatos, This Lenten retreat is for young women who want to deepen their relationship with God and will help them explore their personal call from God. For more information or to reserve a space for this reflection day, please contact Sister Gloria Loya, PBVM at 415-422-5009 or gloya@pbvmsf.org . Tax Assistance For Senior Citizens Volunteers from the AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) will offer free tax help for seniors with middle and low incomes. Assistance will be available on Mondays from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm starting February 6 - April 17. Appointments must be made in advance at the Union City Library's reference desk or by calling 510-745-1464, ext. 7. The Union City Library, a branch of the Alameda County Library is located at 34007 Alvarado-Niles Road and is wheelchair accessible. An ASL interpreter is available with at least seven days notice. Italian Catholic Federation - Anniversary Dinner Italian Catholic Federation, Branch 215 Anniversary Dinner Dance Music by The Larry Stewart Combo Corpus Christi Church Hall, 2nd St, Niles District, Fremont No host cocktails 6 pm, dinner 7 pm, dancing until 11 pm Saturday, Feb. 25, 2006 Donation $25.00 For tickets, call by Feb. 20 NORMA, 651-1641, RALPH, 651-0213, ADRIAN & JOAN: 657-9487 Finances Weekly Collections
SCRIP Program
Special Orders available too. If you shop at Albertson's and do not have a Community Card, pick one up in the SCRIP room after one of the Masses. All proceeds from this fund-raiser go toward the "Building Our Future" project. Home: |