SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

Pss II  Seasonal prop

Prop  Cr   Pf of Second Sunday of Lent  Sol Bl

27: Gn 15:5-12,17-18  Ps 27:1,7-9,13-14

Phil 3:17-4:1 or 3:20-4:1  Lk 9:28b-36

Abram’s faith is sealed with a covenant initiated by God (1), our light and our salvation (Ps). The transfiguration of Jesus (3) prefigures the transformation in glory to which we are called by our sharing in the paschal mystery – the dying and rising of Jesus (2).

Stewardship

Peter, James, and John wanted to build a “booth” for Jesus and just stay on the mountain where His transfiguration took place. But the Son of God, the Chosen One, knew that He must instead keep moving toward His crucifixion. We, too, must rise from worship and do what we can to hasten the coming of the kingdom.

PLEASE PRAY FOR ALL OF OUR PARISHIONERS including: Tony Gangitano, David King, John & Peter Foxwell, Haley Weber, Frank Stashak, Josephine Sarnoski, Elizabeth Connelly, Kippy Hale, Loretta Girard & Mary Kelly.

Collections

February 25^th   $4396.00

March 4^th, 2007

Counters Team #1

Bingo Team #3

DIOCESAN NEWS

www.diometuchen.org

Open Your Heart & Your Home

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen’s Therapeutic Foster Care Program is seeking warm, supportive individuals and families to serve as Resource families to children in need.  Many of these children are innocent victims of abuse and neglect. Children of all ages and backgrounds are in need of loving, nurturing homes.

CALL TODAY! 1-866-247-HOME (4663).

You Can Help!!

 “Megatrends” in the Catholic Church

March 15^th, 7:30 pm (Free)  A Discussion with John Allen, Jr., CNN’s Vatican correspondent and The National Catholic Reporter’s “All Things Catholic” columnist and author of the bestselling books Conclave and Opus Dei will be held at the Bakhita Hall, St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, Piscataway, NJ. Please call (732) 562-1990 x1634 for tickets.

MOUNT SAINT MARY ACADEMY

Watchung, NJ 07069-6587

(908) 753-2091 msmhope@verizon.net

Please, register for all events

Weekend Retreat

Mar 9-11, Begins 7 p.m. on opening day concludes at 2 p.m. ($100/weekend)  An experience of personal prayer based on Scripture. Daily spiritual direction. Atmosphere of prayerful quiet. Adaptable to the needs and desires of each individual.

Six Day Retreat

March 9-16, Begins 7 p.m. on opening day concludes at 11 a.m.($350/week)  An experience of personal prayer based on Scripture. Daily spiritual direction. Atmosphere of prayerful quiet. Adaptable to the needs and desires of each individual.

Operation Rice Bowl

Rice Bowls are located at the front entrance of the church. Please have all Rice Bowls back to the Church by March 31^st/April 1^st. You are welcome to put them in the offertory baskets.

OUR LADY OF MERCY NEWS

Special Combined Collection for March 3rd & 4th

Our Lady Of Mercy will be having a special free will offering that will support two causes:

·         Catholic Relief Services –Programs include relief and resettlement services to the victims of persecution, war and natural disasters as well as development projects to improve the living conditions of the poor.

·           Black & Indian Missions – Last year, support went to some of the neediest people across the United States. A total of 135 Dioceses received assistance from this collection.

Offertory Envelopes

If you’re experiencing problems receiving your envelopes, please don’t hesitate to call me at the rectory, I will get new envelopes mailed to you ASAP.

Did you know that:

·         If your not using church envelopes or using an envelope without your parishioner number on it, we cannot track your charitable contributions for taxes?

·         It’s OK if you don’t lick or tape the envelope closed—the counters love loose flaps!

HOLY NAME SOCIETY NEWS

Mark Your Calendars!!

The 2007 Holy Name Society Father – Son Communion Breakfast will be held on Sunday, March 25^th at the Somerset Holiday Inn on Davidson Avenue at 9 am.  All Fathers and Sons will meet for the 8 am Mass at Our Lady Of Mercy Church and proceed to the Holiday Inn afterwards.  The price this year is $ 18 for Adults and $ 12 for Children 10 years and younger.  All men and boys of the parish are encouraged to attend.  Our Speaker this year is Fr. John N. Fell of Our Lady Of Perpetual Help Church in Bernardsville.  Fr. Fell is also a very exciting and inspirational writer for The Catholic Spirit, our Diocesan newspaper.  Tickets may be purchased after all masses held on March 3^rd, 4^th, 10^th, 11^th, 17^th, and 18^th..  No tickets will be sold at the door.

Blessed be HIS Holy Name.

ROSARY ALTAR SOCIETY NEWS

March 18^th - Rosarian Bingo Night!!

The Rosary Altar Society will be having their annual Sunday Night Bingo on March 18th. Bingo will start at 7:00 pm in the Our Lady Of Mercy church hall. The kitchen will be serving Sausage & Peppers, Keilbasi & Kraut, Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, French Fries and home made desserts. Please come and have fun and good food. You may even win the JACKPOT!

Mmmmm – Easter Candy Sale

Gertrude Hawk Easter candy brochures are available at all exits. Orders are due back NEXT Sunday, March 11 by 1 p.m. and may be placed in the collection basket or the rectory mail slot.  No order is too small.  We need at least $1000 in candy sales to make a profit for our church. 

Pro-life News and Action Alert

Sign the Petition

Governor Corzine refuses to apply for New Jersey’s Title V Funding to support abstinence education for 10-14 year olds. The State of New Jersey has accepted these funds for the past nine years for the express purpose of teaching the principles and tools of delaying sexual activity to 10 - 14 year old children. The Governor is rejecting over $900,000 that currently fund programs that are taught in public schools and are offered by other organizations such as St. Peters University Hospital. The NJ Catholic Conference has asked us to support a petition drive sponsored by the NJ Physicians’ Advisory Group, a group dedicated to promoting abstinence education.

Mike Albert will be at the entrance to the church this weekend asking parishioners to sign a petition to be presented to Governor Corzine to reverse his decision in this matter.

Girl Scout Sunday on March 11^th – 10AM Mass

An Invitation to All Girl Scouts Past & Present

On Sunday March 11^th , Troop 245 would like to invite all Girl Scouts past and present to have a seat in the front pews at the 10 am Mass. Parishioners - if you could leave the first few pews open at that Mass for all the Girl Scouts to sit together, it would be appreciated.

Parishioner Needs a Ride

Karen Van Ravenswaay contacted the rectory asking if someone can pick her up on your way to church. She doesn’t care what Mass you’re attending, she can walk to and from your car and she seems like a very nice lady. She lives in the Town Oaks complex on Main Street. Please contact her directly to make arrangements with her.

(732) 369-3712

Daylight Savings Time

Daylight Savings Time will be starting earlier and ending later this year. Set your clocks back an hour for Sunday, March 11^th. Computers and other gadgets are usually programmed to change automatically, but may need patches or manual adjustments this year due to the earlier start and later ending of Daylight Savings Time.