THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT

Pss III  Seasonal prop  EP II of Sun

Prop or from Ritual Masses: The Scrutinies

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

Third Sunday of Lent   Sol Bl

30: Ex 3:1-8a,13-15  Ps 103:1-4,6-8, 11

1 Cor 10:1-6,10-12  Lk 13:1-9 or for Cycle

A (28): Ex 17:3-7  Ps 95:1-2,6-9

Rom 5:1-2,5-8  Jn 4:5-42 or 4:5-15,19b-26,39a,40-42

From the burning bush, Moses is called by God to lead his people out of slavery into freedom (1,Ps). The parable of the fig tree speaks, on the one hand, of God’s patience, but of the urgency of the call to conversion, on the other (3). Like the Hebrews of old, we too have failed to heed God’s call, thinking ourselves to be self-righteous (2).

Stewardship

The parable in today’s Gospel clearly warns that we, like the fig tree, will be judged by our fruit.  While God mercifully provides us with time and opportunity, let us give witness to our faith with deeds of kindness and generosity!

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

& Marie Kelly.

Let us remember in our prayers Adolph Uhrig, whom God has called home.

Collections

March 4^th   $4346.00

Free Will Catholic Relief Services

& Black & Indian Missions Collection  $711.00

March 11^th, 2007

Counters Team #2

Bingo Team #1

DIOCESAN NEWS

www.diometuchen.org

“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.

Chrism Mass

April 2, 7:30 p.m. at St. Francis Cathedral, Metuchen,  Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski will celebrate the 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.

2007 Spotlight on Catholic Education Dinner

April 17, 6 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel, Somerset, NJ. Dinner proceeds will benefit St. Francis Cathedral School, Metuchen & The Foundation for Catholic Education. Tickets are $200.00. Help Support Our Catholic Schools 50/50 Raffle. Cost per ticket: $50.00, 50% of the raffle proceeds will be awarded as follows:

1^st Prize-25%       2^nd Prize-15%    3^rd Prize-10%

A maximum of 1000 shares will be sold!

The drawing will be held at the Catholic Education Dinner on April 17^th. (Winner need not be present). To purchase dinner or raffle tickets call (732) 562-2429 or visit www.diometuchen.org/development/charityevents.htm

MOUNT SAINT MARY ACADEMY

Watchung, NJ 07069-6587

(908) 753-2091 msmhope@msmhope.org

Please, register for all events

Personal Retreat Days

Mar 15, 9:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (Free-will offering). A personal private day to enjoy God’s presence, begins with communal prayer. Bring bag lunch.

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.

Operation Rice Bowl

Through participation in Operation Rice Bowl this Lent, let our daily actions express that all people are precious and that the lives and welfare of all our brothers and sisters around the world are priorites.

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

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 selling Sausage & Peppers, Keilbasi & Kraut, Perogies w/Onions, 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 Orders Are DUE!

Gertrude Hawk Easter candy orders are due back THIS 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. 

MARIANIST FAMILY RETREAT CENTER

Cape May Point, NJ

www.capemamarianists.org

(609) 884-3829 email: mfrc@capemaymarianists.org

Please contact the center for more info on all programs.

The Marianist Center is a full service retreat center owned and operated by The Society of Mary (Marianists), a religious order of priests and brothers.

April 5-8 ($140 pp)  Holy Week Triduum Retreat This time will be filled with the Holy Week liturgies, quiet time and community building. Contact the center for more info.

April 13-15 ($110 pp)  Retreat for Widows & Widowers We will look at our own individual stories for courage and wisdom.

June 8-10 ($220 pc) Retreat for Young Married Couples This retreat is intended for couples who are under 40 years old. We will explore issues that challenge young couples in today’s ever-demanding world.

COMMUNITY NEWS

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.

Fatima, Madrid, Lourdes Pilgrimage, Nov. 5-15

At. Andrew Catholic Church in Avenel is sponsoring a pilgrimage to Fatima, Madrid and Lourdes. $2199 from Newark. Price includes airfare, superior hotels, professional guide, most meals and daily Mass. For more info, please call (732) 634-4355 or email Fr. David Kosmoski at dkosmoski@juno.com

Church Women United Roast Beef Dinner

Church Women United will hold their annual Roast Beef Dinner on March 20^th, 6:30 p.m. We will meet at the Methodist Church located on the corner of Union Ave. and Livingston St. in Bound Brook. Tickets can be obtained from Catherine @ (732) 356-4080. Deadline for tickets is March 15^th. No tickets will be sold at the door.

SBB Fire Company St. Patrick’s Day Celebration

March 17^th Buffet  The celebration will be held at the SBB Firehouse located on Edgewood Terr. Buffet will be held between 3:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. $10 Adults, $9 for Seniors, Children (12 & Under) $6. Menu is Corned Beef, Cabbage, Potatoes, Carrots, Bread, Desserts, Beverages - Chicken Nuggets and Fries will also be available.

March 17^th Dinner/Dance  8 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. Live Music by Carnaby Street. $20 each or $35 a couple. Dinner is included in this price.

For more info or dance tickets, please call (732) 627-9577.