Let us remember in our prayers Kippy Hale & Ann Rusay, whom God has called home.

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

Pss I  Seasonal prop

Prop or from Ritual Masses: The Scrutinies

Cr  Lenten Pf I-II or, for Cycle A, Pf for the

Fifth Sunday of Lent   Sol Bl

36: Is 43:16-21  Ps 126:1-6  Phil 3:8-14

Jn 8:1-11, or, for Cycle A (34): Ez 37:12-14

Ps 130:1-8  Rom 8:8-11  Jn 11:1-45 or

11:3-7,17,20-27,33b-45

To the exiles in Babylon, Isaiah foretells a new exodus (1), when the Lord will lead his people from captivity to freedom (Ps). True freedom is rooted in the person of Jesus, not in observance of the Law (2). It is he who challenges us to examine our own hearts before self-righteously judging others (3).

Stewardship

In today’s second reading, St. Paul says, “For His sake I have forfeited everything; I have accounted all else rubbish so that Christ may be my wealth.” Does my stewardship suggest that I could say the same?     (See Philippians 3:8)

PLEASE PRAY FOR ALL OF OUR PARISHIONERS including: Tony Gangitano, David King, John & Peter Foxwell, Haley Weber, Frank Stashak, Josephine Sarnoski, Elizabeth Connelly, Loretta Girard, Mary Pokotello, Blanche Ferarro, Marie Kelly Camille Foley

and Joe Tarzan

Collections

March 18^th   $3956.00

March 18^th, 2007

Counters Team #4

Bingo Team #3

DIOCESAN NEWS

www.diometuchen.org

Chrism Mass

April 2, 7:30 p.m. at St. Francis Cathedral, Metuchen,  Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski will celebrate Chrism Mass with the priests of the Diocese. At this Mass, the Bishop will bless the Holy Oils which each parish receives for the rites of anointing.

Tenth Biennial Convention of Catholic Women

April 21  The Metuchen Diocesan Council of Catholic Women will hold their Tenth Biennial Convention at St. John Vianney Parish in Colonia. The cost for the day is $35.00 (includes hot lunch). Registration will be at 8:30 am followed by the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. The theme for the day is “Yes Lord, Your Servant is Listening”. For more info/registration, call Alice (732) 572-2638.

Operation Rice Bowl

Please have all Rice Bowls back by March 31^st/April 1^st. You are welcome to put them in the offertory baskets.

MOUNT SAINT MARY ACADEMY

Watchung, NJ 07069-6587

(908) 753-2091 msmhope@msmhope.org

Please, register for all events

Drum Up Healing

Mar 28, 7:30-9:30 p.m. ($15). Join our Drum Circle where everyone has a healing voice and is empowered  to use it. Drums provided.

Holy Week Retreat Days

Apr 5 & 6, 9:30a.m.-3:00 p.m  Personal, quiet days during the Holy Triduum. Bring bag lunch. (Free-will offering)

OUR LADY OF MERCY NEWS

ROSARY ALTAR SOCIETY NEWS

Rosarian Bingo Night—Resounding Success

The Rosary Altar Society’s March 18^th Annual Bingo Night was a wonderful success with double the amount of players than is usually there. THANK YOU to all who worked this night and THANK YOU to all who attended. The Rosarians raised $900 thanks to all of you.

Rosary Altar Society Easter Bake & Craft Sale

March 31^st & April 1^st After each Mass there will be a Bake & Craft Sale in the church hall sponsored by the Rosarians. Anyone wanting to donate crafts or desserts, please bring them downstairs after 4PM on Saturday, March 31^st.

Easter Egg Hunt for Parish Children

April 1, after 12 NOON Mass  Open to children of the parish ages 2-12. Children are to be accompanied by an adult and must fill out a permission form. Forms can be gotten from the teachers at CCD classes.

FREE! Piano

Father Dan is giving away the old (very old-1903) piano located in the church hall. PLEASE NOTE: You will have to move it out of the hall and to it’s new home-there’s no one young enough working at the rectory to help. Please call the rectory to make arrangements to see the piano. (732) 356-1037

Special Collections in April

March 31^st & April 1^st - The Flower Fund Collection

April 6^th , Good Friday - Holy Land Collection for the preservation of the shrines in the Holy Land.

There are envelopes in your packets for these collections.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Indoor Garage Sale

March 31^st,.9am-2pm  An indoor Garage Sale will be held at the Fellowship Hall at 113 Clinton St., SBB. For more info, call Marion (732) 356-6279

Visiting Nurses Annual Rummage Sale

May 4, 5,& 6  Fairgrounds, Rt. 202, Far Hills, NJ. Saleable Donations accepted at Fairgrounds April 7-25. For more info, (908) 781-6445.

15^th Annual Fish Dinner Buffet

March 30, The Ladies Auxiliary of the SBB Fire Co.#1, 81 Edgewood Terrace will be holding their 15^th Annual Fish Dinner Buffet. Lunch will be from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm. Dinner will be from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm. The menu will include: Baked & Fried Fish, Fried Clams, Fried Shrimp, Chicken Fingers, Pierogies, Vegetable Medley, French Fries, Coleslaw, Salad Bar, Homemade Desserts, Beverages. Adults $9 (lunch)/$10 (dinner), Seniors $9, Kids 12 & Under $6, Kids under 3 eat free. Take out available, call ahead. (732) 627-9577.

Lenten Retreats at Sacred Heart Church, Manville

The English Retreat will run March 17^th/18^th through March 23^rd. The Polish Retreat will begin on March 25^th and run through March 29^th. Childcare will be available. For more info please call (908) 725-0072 or visit www.sacred-heart-church.org.

Live-in Help-Position Wanted

We received the following fax at the rectory. We do not know this person, but you may want to interview Kay if you are in need. She lists on the fax: 5 yrs. experience, cooking, laundry, shopping, housekeeping, owns her own car, speaks English and German and lives in Dunellen. For more info call Kay. (732) 648-5428

Father Herlihy’s Birthday Celebration

In this week’s bulletin you will find an insert with information on Father Dan’s upcoming birthday celebration. There’s not enough space to reprint the letter in the bulletin each week. The specifics are:

·         Sunday April 29^th. Noon Mass to be followed by dinner at the Somerset Marriot Hotel at approx. 2pm.

·         Tickets are $36.00 per person and will cover dinner, gratuity and a monetary gift to Father Dan.

·         Tickets are ONLY available by mailing a stamped, self-addressed envelope with a check payable to “OLM HNS Birthday” in the exact amount for the tickets ordered and with the attached form properly filled out.

·         Mail to: Mr. Keith Fasanella, 226 Howard Ave. Somerset, NJ  08873. Inquiries (732) 356-5780.

·         Cutoff date for sale of tickets is April 11^th.

·         No children please.

·         Extra copies of this letter & form can be gotten from any member of the “Pastor’s Birthday Committee” – Diane D’Ambrosio, Robert & Joan McArdle, Keith Fasanella, Mary Getlik, Joe Graber, Al & Rose Larangeira

·         Laura at the rectory will be happy to mail you a copy. Cell# (732) 259-6665