OUR MISSION STATEMENT

Called by Christ to unity in our Roman Catholic Faith, we bring together and welcome the faithful from

diverse walks of life and ethnic backgrounds. We stand for the sanctity of life and the dignity of every

person. We dedicate ourselves to formation in faith, pastoral care and service to all generations.

Saint John the Evangelist Parish 115 Middlesex Street . North Chelmsford, Massachusetts

Tel: 978-251-8571 . Fax: 978-251-7873 . www.saintjohnchelmsford.org

Parish Office Hours

Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Sacrament of Holy Orders

See a priest

or visit info@vocationsboston.org

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Saturdays: 3:00 - 3:45 PM,

Wednesdays of Lent: 6:30 - 8:00 PM

or by appointment

Sacrament of Baptism

Second Sunday of the month.

Call the Parish Office to register

for baptismal preparation.

Sacrament of Marriage

Couples should contact the priest 6

months prior to their wedding date.

Sacrament of The Sick

Sunday following the 10:30 AM Mass.

Call the Parish Office

when someone is very ill.

Weekend Mass Schedule

Saturday: 4:00 PM

Sunday: 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM & 5:00 PM

Weekday Mass Schedule

Monday - Saturday: 9:00 AM

preceded by The Rosary at 8:30 AM

Worship With Us!

March 22, 2015

The Parish Family of Saint John the Evangelist, North Chelmsford, Massachusetts page 2

In John 12:23, Jesus

described his approaching

death on the cross as his “hour of glory” when he would be

“lifted up from the earth” and would “draw all men to

himself” (12:32). Jesus saw his death on the cross as

triumph over the powers of sin and darkness. Jesus drew an

illustration of the “grain of wheat” to show how this

principle works in God’s kingdom. Seeds cannot produce

new life by themselves. They must first be planted in the

earth before they can grow and produce fruit.

What is the spiritual analogy which Jesus alludes to in the

image of the grain of wheat that must die in order to rise to

new life that bears great fruit? Is this simply a veiled

reference to his own impending death on the cross and

his resurrection? Or does Jesus have another kind of "death

and rebirth" in mind for his disciples? Jesus, no doubt, had

both meanings in mind. Jesus' obedience and death on the

cross obtain for us freedom and new life in the Holy Spirit.

His cross frees us from the tyranny of sin and death and

shows us the way of perfect love. However, if we want to

experience the new life which Jesus offers, then the outer

shell of our fallen sinful nature must first be broken and put

to death. In Baptism our “old nature” enslaved by sin is

buried with Christ so that we may we rise in new life

through the power of Christ's resurrection. Paul the Apostle

describes this death and rebirth in Christ as a “new

creation” in Christ. This process of death to the “old fallen

self” is both a one-time event, occurring in our baptism, and

a daily, on-going cycle in which the Holy Spirit buries us

more deeply into Jesus' death to sin so we might rise anew

and bear great fruit for God. There is a great paradox here.

Death leads to life. When we "die" to our selves - our

rebellious sinful nature and willful rejection of God's

commandments - we receive God's forgiveness and

life-changing power and grace to walk and live in the power

of his transforming love, righteousness (moral goodness),

and holiness. It is God's free gift of grace (his blessing and

favor towards us) and the transforming power of the Holy

Spirit that enables us to live as sons and daughters of God.

How do I practically "die" to myself so that Jesus Christ can

live in me and transform me into his likeness? It certainly

means that what is contrary to God's will must be

"crucified" or "put to death". God gives us grace to say "yes"

to his will and to reject whatever is contrary to his loving

plan for our lives. Jesus also promises that we will bear

much "fruit" for him, if we choose to deny ourselves for his

sake. Jesus used forceful language to describe the kind of

self-denial he had in mind for his disciples.

"Lord, let me be wheat sown in the earth, to be harvested for

you. I want to follow wherever you lead me. Give me fresh

hope and joy in serving you all the days of my life."

Scripture Reflection Staff Directory

Christine Trznadel PARISH SECRETARY/ BULLETIN EDITOR

ext 214; christine@saintjohnchelmsford.org

Fran Anderson COORDINATOR OF REL ED & FAITH FORMATION

ext 212; fran@saintjohnchelmsford.org

Paul Ciotti DIRECTOR OF WORSHIP

ext 234; ciotti.sje@verizon.net

Liliana Lucas BUSINESS MANAGER

ext 213; liliana@saintjohnchelmsford.org

Eileen Marcotte ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

ext 229; eileen@saintjohnchelmsford.org

Stephen Webber FACILITIES MANAGER, ext 231

Luis Nieto YOUTH MINISTRY COORDINATOR

ext 230; luis@saintjohnchelmsford.org

Reverend Martin Dzengeleski ADMINISTRATOR, ext 218

frmartin@saintjohnchelmsford.org

Reverend Hal Obayashi PAROCHIAL VICAR, ext 226

frobayashi@gmail.com

MON, MAR 23

Daniel 13: 1-9,15-17,

19-30,33-62 Psalm 23

John 8: 1-11

WED, MAR 25

Isaiah 7: 10-14; 8: 10

Psalm 40

Hebrews 10: 4-10

Luke 1: 26-38

This Week’s Readings

FRI, MAR 27

Jeremiah 20: 10-13

Psalm 18

John 10: 31-42

SAT, MAR 28

Ezekiel: 37: 21-28

Psalm: Jer 31

John 11: 45-56

TUE, MAR 24

Numbers 21: 4-9

Psalm 102

John 8: 21-30

THUR, MAR 26

Genesis 17: 3-9

Psalm 105

John 8: 51-59

SUN, MAR 29

Isaiah 50: 4-7

Psalm 22 Phil 2: 6-11

Mark 14:1 - 15:47

“YOUR WORD IS A

LAMP UNTO MY

FEET AND A LIGHT

UNTO MY PATH” -PSALM 119:105

page 3 March 22, 2015: Fifth Sunday of Lent

R o s e f o r L i f eR o s e f o r L i f eR o s e f o r L i f eR o s e f o r L i f e

In Memory of Priscilla Rega ��������������������������������1st Anniversary�

From your friends To book a Rose for Life, call Christine; ext 214.

Rose donated by Blossoms Florist

2015 Easter Flower Offerings…2015 Easter Flower Offerings…2015 Easter Flower Offerings…2015 Easter Flower Offerings…

in order for your intention to be published in the Easter Sunday bulletin, we will need to receive

your donation/intention NO LATER NO LATER NO LATER NO LATER than the THIS THIS THIS THIS weekend, March 21/22.

Mass Intentions

“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,

and let perpetual light shine upon them”

SATURDAY, MARCH 21ST 4:00 PM: Jon Doherty, Priscilla Rega

AND Marty T. Leonard

SUNDAY, MARCH 22ND 8:30 AM: Pro Populo, For the People of the Parish

10:30 AM: The men who just returned from ACTS retreat

5:00 PM: Edward & Irene Spinelli

MONDAY, MARCH 23RD 9:00 AM: Jim Lorrey

TUESDAY, MARCH 24TH 9:00 AM: Eileen Lorrey Muldoon

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25TH 9:00 AM: William & Dorothy Conlon

THURSDAY, MARCH 26TH 9:00 AM: Rita McGowan

FRIDAY, MARCH 27TH 9:00 AM: Rose Serra

SATURDAY, MARCH 28TH 4:00 PM: Rita McGowan

SUNDAY, MARCH 29TH 8:30 AM: John Ciotti, Sr.

10:30 AM: Damien Breau (1st Anniversary)

5:00 PM: Pro Populo, For the People of the Parish

May the souls of the faithful departed, especially Leonard Maille, through the

mercy of God, rest in peace. -Amen

Lenten Almsgiving Boxes

If you took a Sierra Leone Almsgiving box home as your Lenten practice, we ask that you please return

it to church NEXT Weekend… Palm Sunday… March 28th/29th. Thank you and God Bless!

Please Remember the PoorPlease Remember the PoorPlease Remember the PoorPlease Remember the Poor

As you leave church today, please pick up an SVdP envelope in the back of the church, and bring it

back with your donation next weekend. Thank you for helping us fulfill the Lord’s command to help

“the least of my brothers and sisters.”

Thank you to all who

have participated in

St. John’s 2015

Catholic Appeal

campaign. Your

support is the most

effective way our

parish community

can join together in

the Church’s universal

work to care for our neighbors. If you have yet to participate

in the Appeal, please visit www.bostoncatholicappeal.org,

or pick up a pledge form in the back of the church.

Thank you for your prayers and support!

Looking for Experienced Caregiver for sweet, elderly, 91-year-old woman

Qualifications/ Duties include, but not limited to...

♥ Provide companionship

♥ Prepare lunch, light housekeeping

♥ Need to be on call (may not be often) to serve as back-up

when regular caregiver is unavailable

♥ Must reside locally

If interested, please contact Camille at 978.250.1058.

The Parish Family of Saint John the Evangelist, North Chelmsford, Massachusetts page 4

From the Office of From the Office of From the Office of From the Office of &Religious Ed Faith Formation

Fran Anderson, ext 212

FIRST COMMUNION REHEARSALS

Friday, April 24th at 4:00 pm For those scheduled for the weekend of April 25th/26th

Friday, May 1st at 5:00 pm

For those scheduled for the weekend of May 2nd/3rd

So Long! See You Next Year!

Please join us for our Year-End Mass on Sunday, April

12th at 8:30, followed by light refreshments in the Hall,

and at the same time, take the opportunity to catch the

Early Bird Registration Rates for the 2015/16 School

Year. Please note that we will NOT hold

registrations on Palm Sunday as we have

in past years. See you there!

YOUTH MINISTRYYOUTH MINISTRYYOUTH MINISTRYYOUTH MINISTRY www.chelmsfordyouthministry.weebly.com

Luis Nieto, ext 230

Middle School EventMiddle School EventMiddle School EventMiddle School Event

“Lent Relay”

THIS Friday, March 27

6:30 - 8:30 pm: Church Hall

Saint PatrickSaint PatrickSaint PatrickSaint Patrick's Day Dinners Day Dinners Day Dinners Day Dinner

Thanks to ALL who supported

last weekend’s St. Patrick’s Day

Dinner through attendance, the

purchase of raffle tickets, and the

greatly appreciated assistance

with set-up and clean-up! A special

shout-out to Brian Muscato and his

team, for again, putting on a

delicious dinner…. to Drew

Jubinville, whose playing of the

bagpipes warranted a standing

ovation… and to Ed Ciampa for his

accordion entertainment. It was an evening

enjoyed by all!

And… Join us in congratulating

Christopher Garrahan, who was

winner of the door prize (a beautiful

floral arrangement generously donated

from Blossoms) and Dot Proulx

who won the 50/50 raffle.

Easter Egg Hunt following 8:30 am Mass

Easter Sunday

Passion of our Lord at 7:00 pm

Holy Thursday

followed by Adoration, ending night prayer at 10:00 pm

Holy Week Schedule

Pasta Dinner at 5:30 pm

Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:00 pm

Stations of the Cross at 3:00 pm

Easter Vigil Mass at 8:30 pm

Masses 8:30 and 10:30 AM Only

Good Friday

Holy Saturday

The Light is on For YouThe Light is on For YouThe Light is on For YouThe Light is on For You (Sacrament of Reconciliation)

Wednesday, March 25th: 6:30 - 8:00 pm

Receive God’s unending mercy and be gifted with

His graces through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Make this an Easter Gift to yourself.

High School EventHigh School EventHigh School EventHigh School Event

“St. Patrick’s Night”

TONIGHT, Sunday, March 22

6:00 - 7:30 pm: Church Hall

VBF Planning Meeting Sunday, March 29th: 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Old Parish Center

Page 5 March 22, 2015: Fifth Sunday of Lent

U P C O M I N G P A R I S H E V E N T SU P C O M I N G P A R I S H E V E N T SU P C O M I N G P A R I S H E V E N T SU P C O M I N G P A R I S H E V E N T S

Parish Calendar

SUNDAY, MARCH 22ND

NO COFFEE & DONUTS TODAY 9:30 - 11:00 AM: Grade K-6 Religious Education: NPC

11:30 AM: Men’s ACTS Return Reception: Hall 11:30 - 1:00 PM: Grade 7-8 Religious Education: NPC 11:30 AM: African Liturgy Committee Meeting: OPC

MONDAY, MARCH 23RD 6:00 PM: Quilter’s Guild : Hall

7:00 PM: Women’s ACTS: Church

TUESDAY, MARCH 24TH Tuesday Morning Coffee Group following 9:00 AM Mass: Hall

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25TH 4:15 - 5:30 PM: Grade 1-6 Religious Education: NPC

6:30 - 8:00 PM: Confession: Church

THURSDAY, MARCH 26TH

10:00 AM: Charismatic Prayer Group: OPC 6:45 PM: BINGO (doors open at 3:00 PM): Hall

FRIDAY, MARCH 27TH 3:30 - 7:30 PM: Cor Unum Trip

5:30 PM: Stations of the Cross (Church) followed by Soup (Hall) 6:30 - 8:30 PM: Middle School YM Event: Hall

SATURDAY, MARCH 28TH

3:00 - 3:45 PM: Confession: Church

SUNDAY, MARCH 29TH

Coffee & Donuts/ Capital Club Drawing following 8:30 Mass 9:30 - 11:00 AM: Grade K-6 Religious Education: NPC 11:30 - 1:00 PM: Grade 7-8 Religious Education: NPC 11:30 AM: African Liturgy Committee Meeting: OPC

6:00 - 8:00 PM: VBF Planning Committee Meeting: OPC 6:30 PM: PPC: Mariotti

Tuesday Morning Coffee GroupTuesday Morning Coffee GroupTuesday Morning Coffee GroupTuesday Morning Coffee Group

Meets the 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the Month in the Church Hall following the 9:00 AM Mass

Join us THIS Tuesday, March 24thJoin us THIS Tuesday, March 24thJoin us THIS Tuesday, March 24thJoin us THIS Tuesday, March 24th

FINAL night! Join us TONIGHT as Fr. Hal

concludes the Lenten Study

of Lectio Divina. See you in

the Mariotti Room at 7:00 PM!

Soup and Stations Friday evening March 27th

Stations�at�5:30,�followed�by�a�simple�meal�of�soup�and�bread.�Join�us�for�this�beautiful�tradition.���

Fifth Annual

Holy Thursday Pasta Dinner Our simple way of ending Lent and beginning the

Three Sacred Days of Easter

Thursday, April 2nd from 5:30 - 6:30 PM followed by the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:00 PM �

You are invited to enjoy the Pasta cooking talents of our very own Muscato Family, followed by the Mass of the Lord’s Supper and Washing of the Feet. PLEASE SIGN UP so we can be sure to have enough food for all. Menu includes pasta, garlic bread, salad and water (bring your own drink if you would like something other than water). Sign-Up sheets can be found in the Church vestibule. �

On Easter Morning, following the 8:30 AM Mass, our Annual Easter

Egg Hunt will take place. All children are welcome to participate.

Bring your own Easter Egg Basket!

Capital Club Drawing ! �

The LAST OFFICIAL Capital Club Drawing will be held

after the 8:30 AM Mass NEXT Sunday, March 29th.

So…. take part in the action and be a part of our

history! You can purchase a number for the day for

$5, giving you four chances to win any or all of the

cash prizes… $50, $200, $300 and $500! Good Luck!

The Parish Family of Saint John the Evangelist, North Chelmsford, Massachusetts page 6

O P E N H O U S E

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

The Theological Institute for the New Evangelization

St. John’s Seminary

“Laity, deacons and religious immerse themselves in the

Catholic faith, prepare for service in parishes, learn to

evangelize work, culture, family life and become better

communicators of the truth of Christ”

Offering two degree programs:

Master of Arts in Ministry

Master of Theological Studies

for the New Evangelization

• join us for evening prayer at 7:00 pm

• meet our faculty and students

• ask your questions during panel discussion

• learn about admissions and scholarships

*** Summer courses begin week of May 25th ***

RSVP to 617.779.4104

For additional program information,

visit www.theologicalinstitute.org

An Invitation to a St. John’s Women’s ACTS Retreat Adoration * Community * Theology * Service

Join us for a spiritually uplifting weekend!

April 16 -19, 2015: Espousal Retreat Center, Waltham

This weekend will be an opportunity to strengthen your

faith, renew yourself spiritually, and build and grow

friendships with some great women. ACTS is an acronym

for Adoration, Community, Theology and Service.

All Christian women age 21+ are welcome to attend.

Registration forms with additional information are avail-

able at the entrance of the Church.

For more information, contact Beth Jacavanco

at bjacavanco@comcast.net or 978.256.6642.

Special Needs Family Bowling EventSpecial Needs Family Bowling EventSpecial Needs Family Bowling EventSpecial Needs Family Bowling Event

On Sunday, April 12th, the Knights of Columbus will sponsor a Spring Bowling Event for children with disabilities and their families. It will be held at the Collins Bowladrome in Billerica from 1:00 - 3:00 PM. The event includes

Duckpin bowling, followed by pizza.

Interested families are asked to register for this FREE event by calling Ken Desilets at 978.692.6866 or kgdesigned@gmail.com BEFORE April 6th.

Respect Life SeriesRespect Life SeriesRespect Life SeriesRespect Life Series

St. Matthew Parish; Windham, NH 4th Thursday of the Month at 7:00 PM

The talks are sponsored by the Windham, NH Knights

of Columbus Council 7572. The evening will start with

Mass, followed by a speaker and a question/answer

session. Below is a list of the scheduled subjects:

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Monsignor Anthony on Humane Vitae

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Kathy Sousa on Respect Life Bills

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Joe Williams on Home for Pregnant Women

Please join us for these interesting and informative

talks. To learn more, please contact Mike at

603.505.7654.

unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth

and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies,

it bears much fruit.