St. John of the Cross Catholic Cluster

NOTRE DAME du MONT CARMEL OUR LADY OF THE VALLEY ST. PETER CHANEL St. David St. Agatha St. Bruno - St. Remi St. Gerard-Mt. Carmel St. Luce St. Joseph (Hamlin) St. Thomas Aquinas St. Joseph (Sinclair) St. Michael (Summer Months)

NOTRE DAME DU MONT CARMEL

309 St. Thomas Street, Suite 103 Madawaska, ME 04756

Parish Office / Cluster 2 Business Office - 728-7531 notredamedumontcarmel@portlanddiocese.org

Faith Formation Office - 728-7135

OUR LADY OF THE VALLEY 379 Main St./PO Box 10, St. Agatha, ME 04772

Parish Office - 543-7447 Faith Formation Office - 543-6119

ST. PETER CHANEL 174 Main St., Van Buren, ME 04785

Parish Office - 868-2718 StPeterChanelParish@portlanddiocese.org

February 2, 2020

Pastor

Fr. James Plourde

james.plourde@portlanddiocese.org

Parochial Vicar

Fr. Antony Alexander Maria Doss, HGN

Deacons

Rev. Mr. Donald R. Clavette

Rev. Mr. Rodney Deschaine

Cluster 2 Business Coordinator

Greg Cyr

Sacramental & Pastoral Care

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Please call your parish office for appointment. SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

Saturday before 4pm Mass or by appointment. SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE Please call your parish office at least 6 months prior to date. SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK Please call your parish office. FUNERALS Please contact the Cluster 2 business office.

New Parishioners

If you are new to the parish or have an address or phone number change, please contact your parish office.

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time / Presentation of the Lord February 2, 2020

Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Mass Schedule

St. Peter Chanel Mass Schedule

Our Lady of the Valley Mass Schedule

Saturday, February 1 6:00pm SA: Maude Marin by Ken & Arlene Lerman Sunday, February 2 4th Sunday in OT / Presentation of the Lord 10:30am SL: Bert Paradis by Robert Michaud 4:00pm SJ: Claire Coolidge by Rella & Jean

Monday, February 3 Sts. Blaise & Ansgar 6:00pm SA: Lionel Dionne by Joel Corriveau

Tuesday, February 4 8:30am SJ: Lawrence & Hilda Bossie by Jim & Nancy Chandler

Wednesday, February 5 NO MASS / St. Agatha

Thursday, February 6 St. Paul Miki & Companions 6:00pm SL: Blanche & Jackie Ouellette by Jean Paul & Cleo Ouellette

Friday, February 7 1:30pm SJMC: Carmella Roy by SJMC

Saturday, February 8 Sts. Jerome Emiliani & Josphine Bakhita 6:00pm SA: Lucille Paradis by Roland & Phyllis Paradis Sunday, February 9 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time 10:30am SL: Alverie & Irene Tardif & Deceased Children by Family 4:00pm SJ: Jeannette Ouellette by Sisters

Saturday, February 1 4:00pm ST: Ulysse Grondin by Wife, Louise & Dan 6:00pm SG: Jeannie, Lionel, Ken & Gail Parker by Family

Sunday, February 2 4th Sunday in OT / Presentation of the Lord 8:30am ST: Edwina Sirois (1st Anniv.) by Reno 11:00am SD: Ronald Gagnon by Wife & Family

Monday, February 3 Sts. Blaise & Ansgar 8:30am ST: Gilman Trudelle by Hermine

Tuesday, February 4 9:00am-5:45pm ST: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 6:00pm ST: Armand Dumais by Family

Wednesday, February 5 St. Agatha 8:30am SD: Fernand Morin by Lorraine Talbot

Thursday, February 6 NO MASS / St. Paul Miki & Companions

Friday, February 7 1:30pm CV: George Dugal by Andre & Pauline Proulx

Saturday, February 8 Sts. Jerome Emiliani & Josphine Bakhita 4:00pm ST: Gladys Deprey by Deprey Family

6:00pm SG: Muriel Gendreau by James & Family

Sunday, February 9 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:30am ST: Jacqueline Roy by Gilbert & Family 11:00am SD: Bob & Rina Martin by Rick & Audrey

Abbreviations for Cluster Church Sites and Facilities

NOTRE DAME DU CARMEL OUR LADY OF THE VALLEY ST. PETER CHANEL

SD - St. David SA - St. Agatha SB/SR - St. Bruno/St. Remi SG - St. Gerard SL - St. Luce SJ - St. Joseph (Hamlin) ST - St. Thomas Aquinas SJ - St. Joseph (Sinclair) BVM - Borderview Manor CV - Country Village SM - St. Michael’s Chapel RDG - Ridgewood SJMC - St. Joseph Memory Care HVM - High View MH - Montfort Heights RDG - Ridgewood Estates

Saturday, February 1 4:00pm SB/SR: Therese Gagnon by Wayne & Alice Marquis Sunday, February 2 4th Sunday in OT / Presentation of the Lord 8:00am SJ: Jeannine Cyr by Vern & Elaine Ouellette 9:15am SB/SR: Kim Beaulieu by Jim & Jackie Duplessis

Monday, February 3 Sts. Blaise & Ansgar 6:00pm SB/SR: Loretta Levesque Pelletier by the Class of 1949

Tuesday, February 4 NO MASS

Wednesday, February 5 St. Agatha 6:00pm SB/SR: Raymond Lebel by his Sisters & Brothers 6:30pm - 7:00pm - Eucharistic Adoration & Reconciliation

Thursday, February 6 NO MASS / St. Paul Miki & Companions

Friday, February 7 10:00am BVM: Don Dumond by his wife Dora

Saturday, February 8 Sts. Jerome Emiliani & Josphine Bakhita 4:00pm SB/SR: Carroll Madore by Ronald & Sandra Levesque Sunday, February 9 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00am SJ: Beecher King by Vi & Family 9:15am SB/SR: “Lighting of the Tree” Memorial Mass

Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Parish Corner St. David, St. Gerard-Mt. Carmel/Grand Isle, St. Thomas Aquinas/Madawaska

LAMP FOR THE UNBORN BURNS FOR: St. David - for the Unborn by a Parishioner St. Gerard - for Greg by Leona Roy

Worship & Spirituality

Parish Life

Finance & Administration

Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Financial Update

Offertory: July 1, 2018 to January 19, 2020

Budget: $209,135 Actual: $217,762 Over Anticipated: $8,627 Amount given Weekly goal St. David $2,797 $1,958 St. Gerard $1,318 $1,231 St. Thomas Aquinas $4,155 $4,023 Weekly Totals $8.270 $7,212

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION EVERY TUESDAY at St. Thomas Aquinas Church from 9am – 5:45pm

This week’s intention: For our priests and vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life, and also for our area businesses and their workforces.

MADAWASKA 3RD DEGREE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS SUPPER/MEETING: February 3rd; supper at 6pm, followed by meeting.

DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA MEETING: Monday, Feb., 10th; Rosary at 5pm, meal at 5:15pm followed by meeting at 6pm. Theme: Respect Life (Money donations will be collected for Pregnancy Care Center).

ST. DAVID LADIES OF ST. ANNE: Tuesday, February 11th. Please meet at High View Manor at 2pm to mingle with residents. Join us.

ST. GERARD LADIES OF ST. ANNE: Wednesday, February 12th, meet at the Grand Isle General Store at 12 noon for lunch. Dress in RED for a special prize.

DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA PRAYER LINE: If you are in need of prayers for you or a loved one, the Daughters of Isabella can

help through the Prayer Line. Many persons who have been placed on the prayer line have found great comfort in the power of prayer and some have witnessed miracles. This is open to anyone – not only for members. To add a name to the prayer line, contact Lorraine Talbot, 316-7035.

FATIMA ROSARY: Recited every 13th of each month at 12pm (noon) at St. Gerard Church. Everyone invited to attend.

††REST IN PEACE Please pray for those who have died and for their families:

† Lorette Chasse, 85, who passed away on January 22nd. She was the wife of Armand (Mickey) of our parish.

† Brenda Levesque, 56, who passed away. She was the daughter of Geraldine Levesque of our parish.

PRAY FOR OUR SICK Rosanne Chasse, Roger Ayotte, Gene Lavoie, Bernice Martin, Joel Albert, Odette Pelletier, James Lavoie, Michael Rossignol, Danny G. Cyr, Louise Hebert, Patsy Madore and Donna Neill. FMI call 728-7135.

MADAWASKA FOOD PANTRY PICK UP: Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month from 7am-11am.

GOOD SAMARITAN THRIFT SHOP HOURS: Monday: 12pm - 4pm Thursday: 10am - 3pm

ST. GERARD SANCTUARY LAMP BURNS IN JANUARY FOR: Special Intention by Sabastian Family; Special Intention by the Lausier Family.

2019 CONTRIBUTION REPORTS: If you wish to obtain a copy of your contribution report for tax purposes, please write it on your contribution envelope or call the business office at 728-7531.

Community Events

GRAND ISLE SENIOR LUNCH: Thursday, February 6th. Menu: Spaghetti

CABIN FEVER RELIEVER: Friday, February 7th at the Madawaska Senior Center from 6-8pm. Music by: DJ Bobaroo

SPECTACULAR VALENTINE DINNER: Friday, February 14th; social begins at 5:30pm, dinner at 6pm. Music by: Denis Dube. A 5-Course meal will be served by our dedicated Historical Society servers at your table. Cost: $25.00 per person, by reservation only! Call Angela at 895-6949. Proceeds for church roof.

SNOW MOBILE CLUB BREAKFAST: Sunday, February 16th from 7 to 11am at the Grand Isle Community Center. This is a fund raiser for groomer repairs and trail grooming.

DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA ANNUAL CARD PARTY

Sunday, March 1st at 1pm Madawaska Knights of Columbus Hall

Admission: $5.00 American money Bring your friends. This is open to the public! Many prizes to be won!!

NOTRE DAME du MONT CARMEL PARISH SCHOLARSHIP: For high school youth from our parish community. This scholarship up to $500 will be awarded to a deserving candidate(s). Criteria for scholarship: Involvement in parish community. Applications can be picked up at the Madawaska Middle/High School Guidance Office and must be completed by applicant. Please type or print clearly. Return completed application and support materials to the Madawaska Middle/High School Guidance Office by May 1st.

PRAYER LINE CONTACTS St. Joseph: Cecile Ouellette 543-6073

Worship & Spirituality Finance & Administration

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT Monday’s after 6:00 p.m. Mass until 7:30 p.m. at St. Agatha Thursday’s after 6:00 pm. Mass until 7:30 p.m. at St. Luce

Our Lady Of The Valley Parish Corner St. Agatha, St. Joseph/Sinclair, St. Luce/Frenchville, St. Michael Chapel

Our Lady of the Valley Financial Updates Offertory: July 1, 2018 to January 19, 2020

Budget: $111,539 Actual: $106,552 Under Anticipated: -$4,986

Amount Given Weekly Goal Weekly Totals $2,638 $4,703 This Year Last Year Average Collections $3,674 $3,817

Sacramental Life

SACRAMENT of RECONCILIATION / CONFESSIONS Mondays at St. Agatha: After 6pm Mass Thursdays at St. Luce: After 6pm Mass

Community Events

††REST IN PEACE Please pray for those who have died and for their families:

† Philip Corriveau, 75, who passed away on January 22nd. He was the husband of Aline of our parish.

ST. BLAISE FEAST DAY - FEBRUARY 3RD

2019 CONTRIBUTION REPORTS: If you would like a copy of your contribution report for tax purposes, please write it on your contribution envelope or call the business office at 728-7531.

KITCHEN PARTY Sunday, February 9th from 1-3pm

Frenchville Community Center

SENIOR LUNCHES Frenchville: Monday, February 11th at 11:30 a.m.

Menu: Shephard Pie Sinclair: Monday, February 17th at 11:30 a.m.

Menu: Pork Loin

SUBSIDIZED HOUSING APPLICATIONS Montfort Heights in St. Agatha, ME is accepting applications for subsidized housing. For more information contact Eric Fruge at

207-543-6325, 384 Main St., St. Agatha, ME 04772 or by email at EFruge@ehdoc.org.

BLESSING OF THROATS FEBRUARY 1ST & 2ND AFTER ALL MASSES!

Join us on Monday, February 3rd at the 6pm Mass for the Feast of St. Blaise and St. Agatha. After Mass we will have a movie,

popcorn and refreshments.

NO ADORATION THAT EVENING!

mailto:talbert@ehdoc.org

St. Peter Chanel Parish Corner St. Bruno-St. Remi Church/Van Buren, St. Joseph Church/Hamlin & Borderview Nursing Home

Bulletin Memorials In Memory of:

Finance & Administration

50/50 KC & Columbiettes Weekly Drawing (drop off at KC mailbox or mail: 284 Main St, VB)

Name: _____________________________________ Address_____________________________________ Phone #____________ Amount Enclosed $_________

$10 = 5wks, $26=13wks, $52=26wks, $104=52wks

ST. BRUNO-ST. REMI CHURCH SPONSORS BREAD & WINE SPONSOR / IN LOVING MEMORY OF:

Gerald Morrow by John & Noreen Pelletier

SANCTUARY LAMP SPONSOR / IN LOVING MEMORY OF: Cecile & Noel Ouellette by daughter, Georgine

WANTED: Bread & Wine & Sanctuary Lamp Sponsors : There are currently available dates* for the 2020 new year for

Bread & Wine ($25) and *Sanctuary Lamp($15) sponsors. Please consider coming into the office to reserve your dates and memorialize a family member while helping to defer Parish costs.

Thank you for your consideration to help us eliminate the lack of sponsorship. God Bless.

St. Peter Chanel Outreach Committee News

Food Pantry News: It's SOUP time! Norstate is partnering with ACAP to help our pantry. This time the target food is soup. Contributors may either donate soup at the Norstate CU building or funds with which the Norstate employees will purchase soup. This is another wonderful campaign to stock pantry shelves. Thank you in advance for all donations and hard work. For more information check out the site online: https://mainecul.org/news_views_story/souper-bowl-of-caring-tackles-hunger-in-aroostook-county/

Next Regular Distribution is Thursday, February 27, 1-3pm Never hesitate to call for emergencies: Please be clear if leaving message.

Dan 868-5707, Nancy 868-5324, Norm 498-9570. Serving Van Buren, Cyr Plantation & Hamlin

Outreach Committee Breakfast Schedule The Next breakfast is February 16th

2020 Breakfast Schedule / Cost: Free will donations What you give helps those in need. God bless you!!

Feb. 16th, March 29th, April 19th & May 17th

Matt 25:40 “Amen I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”

St. Peter Chanel Parish Financial Updates Offertory: July 1, 2019 to January 12, 2020

Budget: $77,162 Actual: $76,102 Under Anticipated: -$1,059 Amt. Given $1,555 Wkly Goal $2,756 Average Collection: This yr. $2,718 Last yr. $2,784 Christmas offering: $3,532.68

Marquis & Cyr Families by

Ray & Judy Marquis

Mom & Dad, Matante Julie, Tom & Linda

by Lisa

Rest in Peace Dad Love Gary

Cote & Beaulieu Families by

Bridget Cote & Family

Miss you Bro Love

Gary & Mom

Raymond & Marcella Lajoie by

Bob, Carol & Family

Tardif, Parent & Young Families by

Ron & June & Family

Tom, Omerine & Dan Smith by

Their Family

St. Pierre & Marquis Fami-lies by

Paul & Helen St. Pierre

Parent & Cyr Families by

John & Muriel Parent

Roland Laverdiere by his wife, Matilda

& son, John

Poitras & Laforest Families

by Steve & Diane

Lajoie & Sirois Families by

Mike & Marie Lajoie

Mom, Dad, Ti John,& Claudette Rest in

Peace, Love Glenn

Gervaise Lapierre by

Bob & Family

Our Blessed Mother Mary For a favor obtained

by a Parishioner

AVAILABLE

AVAILABLE

Simon Cyr by

Grandpa & Grandma

Gerard, Isabel & Rick Parent

by Rudy & Dinah

Peter, Jeannine & Ricky Cyr

by Rudy & Dinah

**BULLETIN MEMORIALS**: This is a reminder that there are bulletin memorials available. The cost of each memorial is: (1 mos.): $20; (3 mos.): $50; (6 mos.): $100; (1 Yr.): $200. These memorials honor family members & friends while helping to offset parish expenses.

Card Party Schedules Please Note Date Changes St. Peter Chanel Outreach Committee Parties: Feb. 23rd, March 22nd, April 26th, May 10th Daughters of Isabella Parties: Jan. 26th, Feb. 9th, March 8th, May 24th

Thank you to the Columbiettes for their contribution toward the cost of the Lenten books. They will be available the week of Ash Wednesday.

The Memorial Mass Sponsored by the Acadian Village Lighting of the Tree will be held

on Sunday, February 9th at 9:15 a.m.

https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fmainecul.org%2fnews_views_story%2fsouper-bowl-of-caring-tackles-hunger-in-aroostook-county%2f&c=E,1,NSaktNvQ4EiDYVVDV_02x6p0sDJk47aZxRmvNC8jtHpJ6y4hM5JMKzW4NX0_RUZysspoI86tu4vEKFpJno43QhhJ7nigxHJdzLR0E4XjBAUhttps://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fmainecul.org%2fnews_views_story%2fsouper-bowl-of-caring-tackles-hunger-in-aroostook-county%2f&c=E,1,NSaktNvQ4EiDYVVDV_02x6p0sDJk47aZxRmvNC8jtHpJ6y4hM5JMKzW4NX0_RUZysspoI86tu4vEKFpJno43QhhJ7nigxHJdzLR0E4XjBAU

ST. JOHN OF THE CROSS CATHOLIC CLUSTER / DIOCESAN CORNER

ST. THOMAS GIFT SHOP St. Thomas Aquinas Church Basement

Hours: Monday to Thursday - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday - 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or Call 728-4346/316-8062 Lee

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

BOOKS: “REROUTING" by: Fr. John Riccardo Finding Our Way Back to God and His Church - OR, enforcing our reasons for continuing to go!! When we lack a basic understanding of what the Church teaches, we can feel as if we're on a road without a map, or have the wrong map, or only pieces of the map. So how can we journey to the Father and the eternal life Christ won for us? Rerouting addresses this problem head on, putting the map once again into our hands-or, in today's language, providing us with the voice of a GPS device telling us where we must go in order to come safely home. Fr. Riccardo, in his distinctive, incisive way, brings us face-to-face with Christ as the Church has proclaimed him from its earliest days. Rerouting presents us with a sweeping vista of what we believe in a way that makes sense and causes our faith to grow and flourish, both in our hearts and in the world. $14.95

Gift Certificates are Always available!!

REMEMBER A BOOK IS THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING!!

CHRISTIAN LIFE CENTER SCHEDULE

LAVALLEE YOUTH MINISTRY SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

February 2: Meeting (1:30-3:30pm) February 9: Meeting February 16: No Meeting (School vacation) February 23: Meeting March 1: Meeting

February 8 – Living the Eucharist (8:00am – 3:00pm) February 11 – CLC Retreat Core Meeting (6:30pm Caribou) February 12 – LIFT Gathering (6:30pm – 8:00pm) February 14 – Valentine Special for Married Couples– Blessing, Dinner and a Movie (5:00pm – 8:30pm) $50/Couple February 16 – Mid-Winter Spiritual Concert – St. Luce Church (2:00pm – 4:30pm) February 23 – Family Dinner and a Movie (2:30pm – 5:30pm) February 29 – Adult Lenten retreat (8:00am – 3:00pm)

To register, call 207-543-6193 or charlescolin@portlanddiocese.org

CELEBRATING 80 YEARS OF RELIGIOUS LIFE

Sr. Therese Michaud D.W. (Aurelie) Profession February 2, 1940

A Ministry of Hope “ A new call invites us to live that baptismal consecration

in a special manner to express it in all its plenitude. Captivated by the love of Christ Wisdom and in response

to that call, we give ourselves to Christ in the Congregation of the Daughters of Wisdom.”

A Mass of Thanksgiving will be celebrated on Sunday, February 2nd at 8:30am

St. Thomas Aquinas Church

If you would like to send cards to Sr. Aurelie she currently resides at:

Ridgewood Estates 480 Ridgeview Avenue

Madawaska, ME 04756

mailto:charlescollin@portlanddiocese.org

GOSPEL MEDITATION: February 2, 2020 - 4th Sunday of OT

“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you pre-pared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gen-tiles, and glory for your people Israel.” Very often, having more light is not something we desire as it forces us to confront something we really do not want to see. There can be comfort found in darkness. It has an eerie sense of security to it. We do not have to challenge ourselves or be challenged and can simply exist in some fabricated state of self-fabricated blissfulness. Jesus came to bring light, and it is a light that is resisted by many and hated by some. It is a light that causes us to see things as they really are and not as we would want or need them to be.

It is no wonder then that Simeon boldly and honestly proclaims to Mary, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted and you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be re-vealed.” We have to take the Gospel message as it is and not just use those parts that are useful to us or more palatable. Taking Jesus at face value can and will lead to turmoil and dissention. Hearts will be pierced. Whether we like it, Jesus’ proclamation of what the world God created really ought to look like has real and absolute social implications.

It has a lot to say about how we treat our brothers and sisters: spirit-ually, personally, economically, and globally. It has everything to do with the poor, the immigrant, the scared, the unborn, the vulnerable, the sick, and the broken. The light opens us to a challenging, table-turning experience that may not be something we want to see but shows us where we need to be.

EVERYDAY STEWARDSHIP - RECOGNIZE GOD IN YOUR

ORDINARY MOMENTS

Healing our blindness!

The value of stewardship living is difficult to see unless we are expe-riencing that way of life for ourselves. You can read 100 Everyday Stewardship reflections and go to church every Sunday, but unless you are actively growing in faith and trying to live a life of generous stewardship, you cannot see the power of such a lifestyle. Like most things, we need direct, purposeful experiences to really understand.

I worked in a stewardship parish for over 20 years, but it was only after I started treating all I have as God’s, and began to actively offer all I am to Him for His glory, that I really got the message. That doesn’t mean I am a perfect steward. Far from it! However, the stress and anxiety that comes with life has greatly diminished be-cause all is in God’s hands. I choose to act more generously than before, which provides me with a sense of fulfillment and joy. How I act towards my family, friends, and even people I meet daily has changed. Now I am more mindful of their presence, and I seek to give them a part of me that just might change their day and bring them a little closer to Christ. I am transforming into a disciple who seeks to use all I have been given to transform all that is around me.

It would be a shame to be blind to the important things for an entire life. Today, consider taking a path of life-changing stewardship. Give it all to God. In the midst of all you have been given, you just might find God in a profound way. You may even find the real person God created you to be.