Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time – February 16, 2020

Weekend Masses: Saturday @ 5 p.m.; Sunday @ 8:30 a.m. & 11

a.m.

Weekday Masses: Monday, Wednesday & Friday @ 9:30 a.m.;

Tuesday & Thursday 12:10 pm.

Feast this week: Saturday – Chair of St Peter the Apostle

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: Wed. after 9:30 am. Mass

Rosary: Recited one half hour before weekday Masses

Music Rehearsals: Will resume in September

Reconciliation: Saturdays @ 3:30 - 4:15 p.m.

Sacrament of Baptism: Preparation to be completed before the

Sacrament is celebrated.

Sacrament of Marriage: At least six months notice must be given.

Mass at Bonaventure Retirement Home: Third Thursday of each

month

Prayer…we ask that you remember the sick of our parish: Fr. Pat

Power, Fr. John Costello, Br. Dave Murphy, Gerard Carey, Tony

Murphy, Marie Joy, Frank Fowler, Peggy Reid, Peggy Walsh,. Lord,

comfort them in their time of sickness and bless those who care for

them. If you would like to have a friend / family member named in

the Bulletin & remembered at our Eucharistic celebrations please

ask their permission and call the Parish Office @ 754-2170 or email

basilica@rcsj.org by Wednesday noon.

“It is loyalty to do His will”. Are you considering following the will of

God in the consecrated life or priesthood? Call Father Jeff Kolonel

@ 745-8183; Father Ray Earle @ 754-1195, Father Philip Melvin

@ 754-1195 or email vocations@ rcsj.org.

BASILICA CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

LENTEN MISSION WITH ARCHBISHOP PETER HUNDT

MARCH 1ST – MARCH 3RD .

The Basilica Parish will hold a Lenten Mission led by our Archbishop Peter J. Hundt on the evenings of Sunday, Monday and Tuesday (March 1st, 2nd, & 3rd). Archbishop Hundt will also preside and preach at all the Parish weekend Masses on February 29th and March 1st. The theme of the Mission will be “You must come away to some lonely place…” (Mark 6:31). The Mission each day will include a talk, with Eucharistic Adoration on Sunday @ 7:00 pm., Sacramental Confession on Monday @ 7:00 pm. and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on Tuesday @ 7:00 pm. Parishioners from all parishes are invited to attend.

PILGRIMAGE TO THE SHRINES OF FRANCE –

October 21-31, 2020 with Father Cecil Critch.

Highlights: Shrine of Miraculous Medal, Paris Churches and other sites, Church of St. Joan of Arc in Rouen, Shrine of St. Theresa of Lisieux, Chartres Cathedral, St. Bernadette of Nevers, St. Jean Vianney, La Salette, Avignon, and ending in Lourdes. If interested, please call Colleen Williams at Carson Wagonlit, Harvey’s Travel, Mt. Pearl, 747-5018. JOURNEYING WITH MATTHEW (facilitated by Dr. Gerard Whitty,

D.Min) Thursday, February 27 @ 7 pm. in the Parish Room.

Parking available behind the Basilica which is through the Arch or

behind St. Bon’s, from there you can enter directly in to the Parish

Room. Please call 754-2170 or email basilica@rcsj.org to register.

MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSE --- upcoming Marriage Preparation Course dates in St. John’s for 2020 are March 6&7; April 17&18, May 22&23; June 12&13. To register for a course please complete the registration form on the Archdiocesan website rcsj.org. Select Chancery/Marriage Tribunal and then Marriage Preparation. Anyone requiring additional info call Theresa Whiffen @ 726-3660 ext. 236 or email twhiffen@rcsj.org

Do you want a closer relationship with Jesus?

TRY ALPHA …ALPHA is a series of interactive sessions exploring the basics of the Christian faith. Each session looks at a different question and is designed to create conversation. There is no pressure, no follow-up and no charge; it’s just an open, informal and honest space to explore and discuss life’s big questions together. Tuesday evenings (6:00 pm.) until April 7th, 2020. For more information contact us at catholicnl@gmail.com. RUAH Counselling Centre provides individual, couple and family counselling. For more info contact Samantha Lake @ 579-0168.

Prayer to Know My Vocation

… Lord, I want to be happy in

this life and spend eternity

with You in the life to come.

From the first moment of my

existence, You knew my

vocation. Please help me

discover Your plan for my life.

Help me to know myself. Help

me to overcome my fears.

Help me to want what You

want. Help me to trust You

completely. Send Your Holy

Spirit into my mind and heart

so, I can see the gifts You

have given me and hear Your

call to serve the Church.

Increase my desire to bring

others to You and to help

them reach heaven. Mary,

Most Holy Mother of God,

pray for me, that I can

discover my vocation and

have the courage to respond

in faith. AMEN

“Faith is the assurance of that

which is hoped for.”

If you believe in the Giver of

the call, you can hope to be

true to it. Will you follow Christ

as a priest, deacon or in the

consecrated life? Call Father

Jeff Kolonel at (709)745-8183

or Father Ray Earle (709)781-

1696 or Father Philip Melvin

at (709)754- 1195 or email:

vocations@rcsj.org

Information on the Columbaria in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery … The Columbaria is presently

almost full. A new section is scheduled to open in April. However, in the meantime some committals may

have to be delayed. We apologize to all those families that may be affected by this unforeseen circumstance.

“The Two Popes” … St. Pius X Parish will be showing this movie about Pope Francis and Pope Benedict

XVI this Sunday, February 16th @ 12:15 pm. in the church, Smithville Crescent. Come along and bring a

friend. Admission is free.

The Blessings of Aging – This series from Joan Chittister continues this Monday, February 17th @ St. Pius

X, 12:15 pm. in the church with Maria Kelsey, MT.

THE CENTRE FOR LIFE “Computers for Seniors” is open for registration for classes. If you are interested

in registering or want more information please call 579-1500. >>> Counselling and support services are

available for post-abortive women and any woman in an unexpected pregnancy. Professional confidential

counselling services are available by contacting 709-579-3818 or by email counsellors@centreforlife.ca.

There is no fee for the services provided by the Centre for Life.

DIPLOMA IN THEOLOGY & MINISTRY OFFERED BY THE ARCHDIOCESE OF ST. JOHN'S AT

QUEEN'S COLLEGE Are you interested in learning more about your faith and growing in understanding

of it? The Archdiocese of St. John's offers a two-year Diploma in Theology and Ministry through Queen's

College. One weekend each month for two years, you will gather with a group of believers who are curious

and committed to explore many areas of theology under with the help of qualified, committed, faithful

facilitators. For more information, contact Anne Walsh at (709) 579-0065, ext 227, or amfwalsh@gmail.com

New Evangelization Summit – April 25, 2020 …. On Saturday, April 25th join thousands of Catholics from

around the world at the premier conference on the New Evangelization. The event will be held live in Ottawa

and webcast to host sites across Canada and the USA. This year’s Summit is once again featuring world-

class Catholic speakers: Fr. Robert Spitzer, SJ, Michael Dopp, Barbara Mason, Sherry Wedell and Brett

Powell. The NES has been designed to inspire Catholics and help them live out their personal call to

evangelize. This year the Summit is FREE for all attendees! Be inspired, receive formation and connect with

other Catholics. Register now at www.newevangelization.ca Location: St. Peter’s Parish (110 Ashford Dr.,

Mt. Pearl). Contact: Heather @ 364-8606 – St. Peter’s Parish or youthsaintppmaryqueen@gmail.com.

BINGO! Cowan Plaza – Corner of Topsail Road and Burgeo Street – seven nights a week.

Please support this Bingo as it financially supports our parish We have just received a cheque in

the amount of $2,270.00 – Thank you.

Knights of Columbus - St. Clare Avenue every Wednesday and Sunday

Sunday Offertory ... $ 6,201.90; Assessment … $220.; Votive Candles … $383.60

Collections for SUNDAY, February 9, 2020

SAVE THIS DATE – THURSDAY, MAY 21ST, COME AND JOIN US FOR OUR ANNUAL

“FLIPPER DINNER” (alternate Stuffed Chicken Breast) AT THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

MORE DETAILS IN FUTURE BULLETINS.

SNOW CLEARING ... During the winter months when there is a heavy snowfall the east and west

doors of the Basilica will be the first to be cleared. These entrances are to be used by all attending

daily Mass. The main entrances will be cleared only after the east and west have been cleared. A

reminder that when the schools in the city are closed because of inclement weather, the Mass for

that day (unless it is a Funeral - check parish phone 754-2170) will be cancelled. Of course,

sometimes it does snow on the weekend ... if in doubt about whether or not Mass is being celebrated

... please check the parish phone or tune in to the local radio stations.

Your 2020 Sunday offering envelopes are available at the front entrance to the Basilica. They

are arranged in ALPHABETICAL ORDER of your SURNAME. If you do not presently use

envelopes, but would like a set, please put your name and complete mailing address on the form

provided on the table. Envelopes will be available for you next weekend.

LRemember, that when you leave this earth you can take with you nothing that you have

received – only what you have given.” (St. Francis of Assisi)

WHEN YOU DO YOUR ESTATE PLANNING, PLEASE CONSIDER YOUR CHURCH.

MUN – Weekday Mass time change – now 12:00 NOON (instead of 12:15 pm.),

UC 4018.

Home Again Furniture Bank - A local o-profit organization that provides gently-used

furniture and housewares to individuals and families in need. Each week Home Again volunteers

ensure that our neighbours have beds to sleep in and tables to share a meal around. – Donations

Requested … Donating your gently-used furniture could change a life! For more information on

how you can help to transform homes and lives please connect with Home Again today

info@homeagainfb.com or visit www.homeagainfb.ca.

Canadian Cancer Society Daffodil Campaign….. The society is preparing for its 2020

Daffodil Campaign and are looking for volunteers to help sell daffodils at various outlets across

Mount Pearl, CBS and St. John’s during the week of April 3rd to April 11th. If you are interested in

volunteering please email Sarah Neil at sneil@nl.cancer.ca or call Sarah (Senior Development

Officer) @ 709-757-8536;; 1-888-753-6520 ext. 236 or fax 709-753-9314.

Weekly Reflection

Jesus came to fulfill the Law and not to abolish it.

In the Gospel what draws all these pronouncements of Jesus together is a sense of human life as

essentially relational: it flourishes where respect, faithfulness and consideration of the other

prevail.

ITEMS NOT INCLUDED IN OUR PUBLISHED BULLETIN ....

WELCOME TO OUR PARISH We welcome all newcomers to worship with us. If you would like to resister with our

parish, please complete the census forms at the back of the Church and place it in the collection next weekend or drop

it off at the parish office.

.. We would like to get to know you! If you would like to become a registered member of the Basilica Parish please

complete a Parish Census Form. The forms are available on the tables at the entrances to the Basilica or can be picked

up at the Parish Office. When completed, the form can be dropped off at the Parish Office or placed in the Sunday

collection.

Stewardship Prayer .... Almighty and ever-faithful Lord, gratefully acknowledging your mercy and humbly admitting

our need, we pledge our trust in you and each other. Filled with desire, we respond to your call for discipleship by

shaping our lives in imitation of Christ. We profess that the call requires us to be stewards of your gifts. As stewards, we

receive your gifts gratefully, cherish and tend them in a responsible manner, share them in practice and love with others,

and return them with increase to the Lord. We pledge to our ongoing formation as stewards and our responsibility to call

others to that same endeavor. Almighty and ever-faithful God, it is our fervent hope and prayer that you who have begun

his good work in us will bring it to fulfillment in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

COMMUNION OF THE SICK … If you know of a parishioner who is aged and shut-in and would like a priest to visit

them for the sacrament of the sick; or if they would like a Pastoral Worker/Eucharistic Minister to bring them Holy

Communion, please contact the Basilica Parish Office (754-2170 or basilica@rcsj.org) to arrange a date and time for

the visit.

COMMUNION TO THE SICK ... The Basilica Parish is trying to rejuvenate our Ministry of Communion to the Sick. We

have an aging population in our Parish. We are receiving more and more calls from Parishioners who can no longer get

out to Sunday liturgy and would like to have the Eucharist brought to them. We would sincerely like to be able to fulfil

their request. To accomplish this, we need parishioners who are willing to sign up for this Ministry. It is also suggested

that family members or relatives may also be able to bring Communion to their sick or elderly loved ones. Of course,

the Parish will provide training in this area. If you are able to contribute to this vital Ministry, please call Anne at the

Parish Office, 754-2170.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS …The Christian community has a role in Christian Initiation of Adults.

The Christian community supports the candidates by love, prayer, and witness and by testifying that they are ready to

complete their initiation. Some members of the community help to instruct them in the faith of the Church. Candidates

are also assisted by sponsors who walk with them in faith and present them to the community during the liturgical rites.

If you are interested in the RCIA program please contact the parish office # 754-2170 or basilica@rcsj.org.

Catechetical formation for Confirmation and Holy Eucharist … If you would like to enrol our child in this process of

preparation for the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist, please contact the Parish Office 754-2170,

basilica@rcsj.org or Gerard Whitty gerard.whitty@nl.rogers.com

… The Irish Messenger of the Sacred Heart … IF YOU are thinking of a gift for a grandparent or other relative or friend this year, or even getting a gift for yourself, the little Messenger of the Sacred Heart would be a good choice. This magazine will be sent to your address each month for a full year at a very reasonable price. You would be giving a monthly gift as well as spreading devotion to the Sacred Heart. For more information please call 738-3236.

. EMMAUS HOUSE .... is in need of supermarket bags and twist ties. If you have any at home you may drop them off at Emmaus House, Monday to Friday 1-3 pm. or you may bring them to the Parish Office. Your support of the needy of our Parish is greatly appreciated.

.. SCENT FREE! ... In today’s society, in many public institutions, we see the sign “no perfumes/scents allowed”

because people with allergies are often very severely affected by scents. We have received letters and phone calls asking that we strive to make our churches scent free. As a Church we care for the good of all so we ask your support and cooperation in our efforts to make the Basilica a scent free environment.

“TURNINGS” a non-profit organization is seeking volunteers to assist marginalized, and people in and out

of jail, to integrate into the community in a peaceful manner. We use circles of support and one on one

counseling. Volunteers are required to give one hour a week. If you are interested in helping, please contact

Dan McGettigan, / Kevin Foley (726-9933 or 685-0609

CCO (Catholic Christian Outreach) Annual Founders’ Dinner – Saturday, March 28th @ the K of C on St.

Clare Avenue. To register please go to cco.ca/stjohnsgala or email maryclaire.hoffman@cco.ca. We will hear from

CCO’s Founder, Angele Regnier and also from students involved with CCO wo have bee impacted by God through their

involvement. Doors open @ 5 pm., dinner servd @ 6 pm.

DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE * Solidarity Tour to the Brazilian Amazon! July 7-23, 2020. You will have the opportunity to - visit Development & Peace partners in Brazil! – Deliver Solidarity Letters signed by thousands of Canadians! – learn more about Social Pastorals of the Brazilian Catholic Church! Application deadline: January 6, 2020. Cost: $3,000 (We will help you fundraise!) please contact Selina at shunt@devp.org.