MASS SCHEDULE Saturday Vigil: 5:00 pm, Sunday: 7:30, 9:00 & 11:00 am, Morning Mass: 8:00 am (Monday-Friday) Confessions: Saturdays 3:30-4:30 pm Our Divine Savior Catholic Church 566 East Lassen Avenue, Chico, CA 95973 530-343-4248 / Fax 530-343-3538 E-mail: [email protected]www.ourdivinesavior.org Parish Office Hours: Monday - Friday 10:00 am-3:00 pm M S Our Divine Savior Parish, a Roman Catholic community, nourished by God’s grace and the sacraments, embraces the mission of Jesus Christ. Guided by the Holy Spirit, we live the gospel through our worship of God and through loving service to one another and to the greater community. Fourth Sunday of Lent March 15, 2015 God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. — John 3:17
Our Divine Savior Parish, a Roman Catholic community, nourished by God’s grace and the sacraments,
embraces the mission of Jesus Christ. Guided by the Holy Spirit, we live the gospel through our worship of
God and through loving service to one another and to the greater community.
Fourth Sunday of Lent
March 15, 2015
God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world might be saved
through him.
— John 3:17
“Where two or more are gathered, there am I.”“Where two or more are gathered, there am I.”“Where two or more are gathered, there am I.”“Where two or more are gathered, there am I.” PARISH PERSONNEL
Wednesday: Is 49:8-15; Ps 145:8-9, 13cd-14, 17-18; Jn 5:17-30
Thursday: 2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16; Ps 89:2 -5, 27, 29; Rm 4:13:16-18, 22; Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a or
Lk 2:41-51a
Friday: Wis 2:1a, 12-22; Ps 34:17-21, 23;
Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30
Saturday: Jer 11:18-20; Ps 7:2-3, 9bc-12; Jn 7:40-53
Sunday: Jer 31:31-34; Ps 51:3-4, 12-15; Heb 5:7-9; Jn 12:20-33
“Reading the holy Scriptures (the Bible) confers two benefits. It trains the mind to understand them; it turns man's attention from the follies of the world and leads him to the love of God. St. Isidore (560-636 AD) Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Sat 14 5:00 Leonard Costa, d (Chris & Rita Sauer)
John Decker, d (Pat Decker)
Rose & Edward Schafer, d (Solveig Stephens)
Fr. Ben De Leon, (Fr. Francis
Stevenson)
Sun 15 7:30 Fr. Ben De Leon, (Fr. Francis
Stevenson)
9:00 Harold Worley, d (Jackie
Griswold)
Jim Canfield, Health (Andy & Janet Bertagna)
Fr. Ben De Leon, (Fr. Francis
Stevenson)
11:00 Jack Brown, d (Kathryn Barrett-Brown)
Joan Dolan, Special Intention (Tom & MaryAnn Ward)
Fr. Ben De Leon, (Fr. Francis
Stevenson)
Mon 16 8:00 Pilgrims traveling to Spain/Portugal
Tue 17 8:00 Alexandra Severe, d , (Tony & Maryse Lemaistre)
Wed 18 8:00 Bob Perry, d (Marion Perry)
Betty & Ray Frandrup, d , (Walter & Eileen Bird)
Thu 19 8:00 O’Malley/McCarthy Families, d (Lorraine Hanson)
Mass IntentionsMass IntentionsMass IntentionsMass Intentions
RAISED UP BY THE MESSIAH
Last week, when Jesus referred to the destruction of the temple, the account from today’s first reading is what would have come to the minds of his listeners. But, as Jesus was speaking on a deeper level, so does today’s first reading. In the first paragraph we hear that Israel had, in effect, “fallen” already through its infidelity to the covenant. Lest we get too cozy, this account reminds us that God, though just, loving, and merciful, is capable of punishing sin when that sin is unrepentant. But we are also reminded that God, rich in mercy, anoints individuals to be vessels of salvation as well (in Hebrew, King Cyrus of Persia is called “messiah”). In the Gospel reading, we hear of another Messiah being “lifted up” for our salvation in one of the best‑known passages from the New Testament. As Lent concludes and we enter Holy Week, we need to keep our gaze steadfast upon the cross of Christ, the Son of God who came into the world to raise us who had fallen.
US AGAIN: "Don't be afraid to go to the Sacrament of Confession, where you will meet Jesus who
forgives you."
MONDAY is the day: Penance service here at noon. It may be the most life-changing hour you spend
all Lent!
Priority will be given to those who
are coming on their lunch hour.
GRIEF EDUCATION /
SUPPORT SERIES: The Consolation Ministry is sponsoring a series of support/education meetings beginning on Saturday, March 7th through April 25th. The meetings will be held from 10am –noon in the Large Meeting Room in the Education/Office Building at 566 E. Lassen Ave. The sessions will focus on the various aspects of grief when we have experienced a major loss. To register please contact Lyn Dorenzo at 891-8026 – evenings or the church office at 343-4248.
SOUP SUPPERS AND
STATIONS OF THE CROSS: This Friday is our last weekend for Soup Suppers. Soup at 6 pm in the social hall and Stations of the Cross at 7 in the church.
CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICE: Today, we take up the Catholic Relief Services Collection. You are invited to give hope to Jesus in disguise. Give hope to the community that has lost its livelihood to a crop disease. Give hope to a refugee child, separated from her mother. The Catholic Relief Services Collection helps to fund programs that give hope to refugees, immigrants, and the impoverished, including victims of war, natural disaster, and drought. Through humanitarian, economic, pastoral, and advocacy efforts the Catholic Relief Services Collection gives hope.
CATHOLIC SCHOOL CATHOLIC SCHOOL CATHOLIC SCHOOL CATHOLIC SCHOOL
EVENTS EVENTS EVENTS EVENTS
“30 THIRTY CHALLENGE”
SCHOLARSHIP
FUNDRAISING DRIVE: Mercy High School will be kicking off a new scholarship drive during the month of March, and you can help! Here’s how: with just a $30 donation, the cost of tuition can be made more affordable to new and current students desiring the benefit of a college prep education in a small school setting who otherwise might not have this opportunity. The more people who donate; the more the students at Mercy High School will benefit! Students will be outside following masses on the weekend of March 22 ready to share with you the ways that the privilege of being at Mercy has made a difference to them, and happy to accept your tax deductible
donation. Call Mercy at 527-8313 with any questions.
ADULT ADULT ADULT ADULT
CONFIRMATIONCONFIRMATIONCONFIRMATIONCONFIRMATION Are you an adult who never received the Sacrament of Confirmation? Bishop Jaime Soto is extending an opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation to practicing adult Catholics of the Diocese of Sacramento who were never confirmed. Contact the office of Religious Education now at 345-
6201. A series of short classes will begin on March 29th.
FROM THE LIBRARYFROM THE LIBRARYFROM THE LIBRARYFROM THE LIBRARY
Library Hours:
Parish Office, M-F 10:00-3:00; Sundays 11-12:00
Readings for Lent
A Lenten Hobo Honeymoon
The Essential Lenten Handbook
Lent & Easter Wisdom From Thomas Merton
The Passion of Love
The Power of the Cross
The Way of the Cross With Pope Francis
The Easter Story (for children)
The Way of the Cross for Children
40 DAYS OF LIFE40 DAYS OF LIFE40 DAYS OF LIFE40 DAYS OF LIFE
BE ENCOURAGED! We are beyond the half-way mark!! More literature is being handed out with resources for those who want to keep their children as well as those interested in adopting and being healed from past abortion experiences. Please pray fervently this week for the workers inside the Planned Parenthood. The wounded-ness is so strong for some of them. Pray that they may realize the humanity of the preborn, seek
Second CollectionSecond CollectionSecond CollectionSecond Collection
and know God’s forgiveness. May we all absorb the truth that God is paying attention to us, and to each human life, personally and individually. We will have a prayer meeting Tuesday 5 pm 435 Chestnut street up in the Mother Theresa room at St. Johns offices
Service. Catholic Schools offer academic excellence and faith-
filled education for students nationwide. National test scores, high school graduation rates, college attendance and other data show that Catholic schools frequently outperform schools in both the public and private sectors.
Notre Dame School is now
accepting applications for all
grades (TK-8th) for 2015-16! Interested in learning more? Contact our principal, Terri Sobieralski, at 342-2502 or [email protected] to set up a school tour.
REFLECTIONSREFLECTIONSREFLECTIONSREFLECTIONS
GETTING OUT OF THE TAPE-
LOOP: What do you do when you feel trapped? Do you sometimes feel as though life is simply one endless loop of tape, that you live each day basically as you lived the last and that tomorrow will be little different from today? Are you in a physical or mental or spiritual rut or maybe all three? Well, join the club. In case you may think this is a
new psychological condition of life in the late twentieth century, Nicodemus, an intriguing Bible character from the New Testament, faced some of the same hurdles. Nicodemus did not know how to break out of his ritualistic life that was making him spiritually empty. Then, one evening, he sought out this Jesus that everyone had been talking about. Jesus told Nicodemus to change, to be born again. You can be born again, too, and begin to live a life of joy, expectation, and abundance. God loved the world and you so much that He was willing to give us Christ. All you need do is accept Him. That can get you out of the tape-loop and on with your life.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATIONRELIGIOUS EDUCATIONRELIGIOUS EDUCATIONRELIGIOUS EDUCATION
SACRAMENTS
It's the season of Sacraments. We currently have 19 students preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation and 32 students preparing to receive their First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.
Do you have children who need and want to receive the Sacraments? Students are eligible to receive their first sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion any time after 2nd grade. Our program is designed to accommodate students in 2nd-7th grade when they and their family are ready. Students are eligible to receive their Confirmation after 8th grade when they and their family are ready.
How do you know if your student and your family is ready? You are probably ready when your family is able to attend Mass and religious education classes regularly. Sacrament preparation is 2 years. We look forward to preparing for and celebrating this special time with our Parish families. Please contact the Religious Education office at 345-6201 for more information.
A FUN AND EASY WAY TO HELP OUT!
We are preparing for another amazing and life changing Vacation Bible School experience this summer at Our Divine Savior. The theme for our June 15-19 VBS is "Everest—Conquering Challenges with God's Mighty Power.” We are organizing a Decorations Team and need lots of help! No creative abilities are necessary. We need visionaries, busy people with very little time, creative people, and many who just want to help in some way but can't join us June 15-19 (or who can). Truly, we need a mighty team of many to share the work of turning our social hall into a snow-capped majestic mountain. Our VBS will be full of icy colors, craggy tundra, and breath taking views that kids will be excited to explore. Please call the Religious Education office or come to our first build day in the social hall on Wednesday, March 18th at 6PM.
ODS High School Youth MinistryODS High School Youth MinistryODS High School Youth MinistryODS High School Youth Ministry
SUNDAYSSUNDAYSSUNDAYSSUNDAYS————12:1512:1512:1512:15————2:00 P2:00 P2:00 P2:00 PM IN THE SOCIAL HALLM IN THE SOCIAL HALLM IN THE SOCIAL HALLM IN THE SOCIAL HALL. . . .
DIVE DEEP BIBLE STUDDIVE DEEP BIBLE STUDDIVE DEEP BIBLE STUDDIVE DEEP BIBLE STUDY IS FOR JUNIOR HIGHY IS FOR JUNIOR HIGHY IS FOR JUNIOR HIGHY IS FOR JUNIOR HIGH
AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. WEDNESDAY AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. WEDNESDAY AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. WEDNESDAY AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. WEDNESDAY
NIGHTS IN THE SOCIALNIGHTS IN THE SOCIALNIGHTS IN THE SOCIALNIGHTS IN THE SOCIAL HALL.HALL.HALL.HALL.
2015 LENTEN ECUMENIC2015 LENTEN ECUMENIC2015 LENTEN ECUMENIC2015 LENTEN ECUMENICAL AL AL AL
SERIESSERIESSERIESSERIES
Come and let your spirit be filled with hope during the season of Lent. On five Wednesday evenings, February 25 through March 25, an ecumenical gathering will take place and be hosted by Faith Lutheran Church at 667 E. First Avenue in Chico.
Wednesday Evenings 6: - 7:45 pm.
March 18th : Presented by Rev. Michael Newman
Hope in Dark Places: Healing in the Wilderness
March Schedule
3/22 Confirmation 10:05-10:50AM
Religious Ed 10:05-10:50AM
Children’s Liturgy 11AM Mass
3/27 Confirmation w/ Bishop Soto 6:30PM
3/29 Religious Ed 10:05-10:50AM
Children’s Liturgy 11AM Mass
Local Church Penance Services
March 16 ODS, Chico, 12 Noon
March 16 St. John the Baptist, Chico 6:00 PM
March 17 St. Thomas the Apostle, Oroville 7 :00PM
March 18 Our Lady of Lourdes, Colusa 6:00 PM
March 19 Immaculate Conception, Corning 6:00 PM
March 23 St. Monica Parish, Willows 7:00 PM
March 25 St. Thomas More Parish, Paradise 4:00 PM
March 30 St. Dominic Parish, Orland 7:00 PM
March 31 St. Isidore Parish, Yuba City 6:00 PM
April 1 Sacred Heart Parish, Gridley 7:00 PM
ST. JOSEPHST. JOSEPHST. JOSEPHST. JOSEPH Look down to us, St. Joseph,
Protector of our Lord,
Who followed you through deserts,
And gave you blessed reward;
Our foes are yet about us,
Be strength now at our side,
Be light against the darkness.
St. Joseph, be our guide!
We venerate your justice,
The gospels praise your name,
You are the saint all humble,
Who gained eternal fame;
In your devoted family
Our souls in trust confide,
Direct our way to heaven.
St. Joseph, be our guide!
GAELIC BLESSING
Food on your table
Clothes on back
And family or friends
To share what you lack
FAMILY ROOM
PILGRIMAGE
It seems like an old-fashioned word and concept, but
actually pilgrimages are alive and well today! Many
members of the ODS family are leaving on March 16
for a pilgrimage to Fatima in Portugal and to holy
shrines in Spain. Our pastor emeritus, Father Simon,
will be the spiritual guide for the journey. The
pilgrims will bless all of the community when they
return with increased faith, devotion and
participation to help us all grow!
What are the components of a pilgrimage? First of all,
it's not just a "trip." It is a journey of both body and
soul with the intention of deepening one's spiritual
life. It is a sacrificial time. Although pilgrims can and
do have a good time, the point is to focus attention on
our spiritual needs, rather than indulge our "wants."
A pilgrim must be prepared for hardship, since the
journey is unpredictable. There may be late meals, or
meals unusual to our palate. There may be hard beds
or noisy rooms. There will be crowds, including
people from all over the world, with their own
customs and priorities. The unifying factor is the
desire to be in a holy place with others who have come
for reasons of the soul. At a major pilgrimage site,
Mass is offered many times a day in many small
chapels. During this trip, Mass will be offered every
day. Each site has its own traditions, often including
candlelight processions, pilgrims climbing steps on
their knees, or Stations of the Cross. The sick (in mind
or body) come, sometimes in droves, seeking both
physical healing and the inner healing that allows
them to cope with their illness. There is an overall
sense of being on holy ground, walking in the place
where miracles have occurred and continue to unfold.
Please pray for the safety and spiritual growth of the
