Of New Bedford North

St. Joseph-St. Therese—St. Mary—Our Lady of Fatima

“PARTNERING IN MISSION”

The Churches are Handicap accessible.

Weekend Masses

.

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Saturday 3-3:45 PM St. Joseph-St. Therese

3:15-3:45PM Our Lady of Fatima

Sunday 6:15-6:45PM St. Mary

Adoration Rosary & Divine Mercy Chaplet

7PM Tuesdays at Our Lady of Fatima

COLLABORATIVE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES

& MAILING ADDRESS 106 Illinois Street, New Bedford, MA 02745

Telephone 508-995-3593 Fax 508-995-2453

Email secretary@ccnbn.org

www.ccnbn.org

VISION STATEMENT

To renew the presence of Christ in our Community by being

disciples and stewards of

Jesus Christ.

MAY 17, 2020

During the month of May consider praying the Rosary daily with your family. If you multiply the statistics here by the number of people in your family, then by the number of days, it becomes staggering. Just imagine if every family in our Collaborative were to pray the Rosary, if every family in our diocese did so! We are all looking for relief from this pandemic, what better way than through the intercession

of Our Blessed Mother!!

Below are two prayers to Our Lady that you can recite at the end of the Rosary, that Pope Frances will also pray

in the month of May, in spiritual union with all of you.

First Prayer

O Mary, You shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, who, at the foot of the cross, were united with Jesus’ suffering, and persevered in your faith.

“Protectress of the Roman people”, you know our needs, and we know that you will provide, so that, as at Cana in Galilee, joy and celebration may return after this time of trial.

Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform ourselves to the will of the Father and to do what Jesus tells us. For He took upon himself our suffering, and burdened himself with our sorrows to bring us, through the cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen.

We fly to your protection, O Holy Mother of God; Do not despise our petitions in our necessities,

but deliver us always from every danger, O Glorious and Blessed Virgin.

Second Prayer “We fly to your protection, O Holy Mother of God”.

In the present tragic situation, when the whole world is prey to suffering and anxiety, we fly to you, Mother of God and our Mother, and seek refuge under your protection.

Virgin Mary, turn your merciful eyes towards us amid this coronavirus pandemic. Comfort those who are distraught and mourn their loved ones who have died, and at times are buried in a way that grieves them deeply. Be close to those who are concerned for their loved ones who are sick and who, in order to prevent the spread of the disease, cannot be close to them. Fill with hope those who are troubled by the uncertainty of the future and the consequences for the economy and employment.

Mother of God and our Mother, pray for us to God, the Father of mercies, that this great suffering may end and that hope and peace may dawn anew. Plead with your divine Son, as you did at Cana, so that the families of the sick and the victims be comforted, and their hearts be opened to confidence and trust.

Protect those doctors, nurses, health workers and volunteers who are on the frontline of this emergency, and are risking their lives to save others. Support their heroic effort and grant them strength, generosity and continued health.

Be close to those who assist the sick night and day, and to priests who, in their pastoral concern and fidelity to the Gospel, are trying to help and support everyone.

Blessed Virgin, illumine the minds of men and women engaged in scientific research, that they may find effective solutions to overcome this virus.

Support national leaders, that with wisdom, solicitude and generosity they may come to the aid of those lacking the basic necessities of life and may devise social and economic solutions inspired by farsightedness and solidarity.

Mary Most Holy, stir our consciences, so that the enormous funds invested in developing and stockpiling arms will instead be spent on promoting effective research on how to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

Beloved Mother, help us realize that we are all members of one great family and to recognize the bond that unites us, so that, in a spirit of fraternity and solidarity, we can help to alleviate countless situations of poverty and need. Make us strong in faith, persevering in service, constant in prayer.

Mary, Consolation of the afflicted, embrace all your children in distress and pray that God will stretch out his all-powerful hand and free us from this terrible pandemic, so that life can serenely resume its normal course.

To you, who shine on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope, do we entrust ourselves, O Clement, O Loving, O Sweet Virgin Mary. Amen

SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM: Congratulations on the birth of your child! The church celebrates with you and is ready to prepare you if this is your FIRST child being baptized at our Parishes. A welcoming instruction for parents and god-parents is required. Please call the Administrative office to schedule the preparatory meeting and sacramental celebration.

INITIATION OF ADULTS: Adults expressing an interest in becoming Catholic are invited to search through our RCIA formation process. For more information, please call the Parish Office.

FAITH FORMATION: Grades 1-9. First Eucharist is a two year program, grades 1 and 2. Confirmation is a two year program, grades 8 & 9.

SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE: Congratulations on your engagement! Please speak to Fr. Raposo at least one year in advance of the intended date to allow adequate time for Parish and Diocesan Marriage preparation.

FOR OUR HOME-BOUND: Contact the Parish Office to receive Holy Communion at home if you are confined. THE SACRAMENT OF THE SICK: May be received after any weekday Mass or by appointment.

May 3, 2020

CHURCH FIRST SECOND ONLINE

OLF $2174.00 $ 510.61 $ 35.00

SMNB $2854.00 $ 892.00 $1219.98

SJST $1658.00 $ 790.00 $ 484.61

Second Collection (next weekend 05/23-24) is

for Diocesan Assessment.

ST JOSEPH-ST THERESE

The Hosts for the month of MAY are offered in

memory of Marie-Ange Levesque by her daughter

Pauline.

14-day Memorial Candles:

(Church) In memory of J. Robert &

Madeline Cormier, Wedding Ann. Rem.

by daughters Claudette & Therese.

ST MARY’S The Hosts for the month of May are

offered in memory of Edward & Annie

Fernandes by David & Susan Whitney-

14-day Memorial Candles: In Memory of Mr. & Mrs. Antonio Souza by their daughters & family.

In Memory of Lazaro Rosa by his wife Maria & family.

Icon Candle: In Memory ——————-

OUR LADY OF FATIMA The Hosts for the month of May are offered in memory of ___________

Sanctuary Candle in memory Norman L.

Pepin by Lucille Pepin.

Our Lady of Fatima Icon Candle is in

memory of Jacob Fabian by Normand &

Diane Savoie.

Each parish in the

collaborative can now

accept donations online

t h r o u g h t h e

collaborative website at

www.ccnbn.org please click on online giving

and choose your parish. I realize many people

are struggling financially during this crisis,

however, I hope that many will find a way to

support their parish with whatever they can

afford at this time.

Your pastors are aware that some of you

may be struggling at this time with many

needs. Perhaps not enough money for

food, rent etc. please know that the St

Vincent de Paul society of our collaborative

is ready and willing to be of assistance to

you if they can. Please call the

Collaborative Office for assistance.

Someone is there every day from 9-3. We

are here to help each other at this time.

That is what community means and that is

what Christ asks us to do. Confidentiality

is maintained in all instances. St. Vincent

exists to be of assistance so let us help you

if needed .

From: Fr. John Raposo, Msgr. John Oliveira

We want to provide you with an update on a number of matters within the collaborative that may be of interest to

you.

1. Survey

The survey has been completed. We had hoped to have a general presentation(s) by now but the pandemic has

changed the plans.

The response was 10% or 300 responses out of a possible 3000. The responses were interesting but in the most

parted expected. In hindsight, it would have been better to have delayed this for a longer period of time.

After a general presentation, it is suggested that we form a committee to implement the survey recommendations,

As you will see later, the absence of masses has had a devastating impact on the finances of all our parishes in the

collaborative.

Without straining the operating account, we were not able to pay our monthly bill for the Parish Vision survey

and their assistance over the next three years. It costs $500 each OLF, SJST, and $700 St. Mary’s or $1700.00 a

month with the total due $20,500.00. We are probably not able to change the contract terms; however, they did

agree to put a pause on our payments for three months.

2. Real Estate:

The progress on the School at SJST continues with no news to report. There does not seem to be any particular

issues outstanding.

The rectory at SJST may have the possibility of being leased. We are awaiting further information regarding this

matter and what will be needed to be accomplished to make the rectory suitable for leasing. Certainly, a

minimum requirement will be cleaning it out.

3. Finances:

The core group has been acting as a financial council, although cannon law requires that each parish have a

finance council. But for the interim, until Collaborative guidelines are formed, the status remains the same.

To briefly summarize, the profit and loss from each parish at the end of April is: OLF $38.95,

SJST -$8,603.81, St. Mary’s -$19,137.43.

St. Mary’s deficit is in part because collaborative parishes have been unable to pay their portion of the expenses

of the central offices of the collaborative. The Diocese has suspended billings during these days for two

months. If this was not the case every parish would be in the red in the operating account. It will be necessary

to use parish savings in the immediate future to pay the bills.

The salaries of the staff have not been changed and they have not lost vacation or sick days at the suggestion of

the Diocese. We have applied for a payroll protection plan and have been told we have been approved but all is

not yet finalized. This plan should take care of salaries for two months. We will then have to evaluate where we

stand financially.

On-line giving is better, but we are far from our normal receipts. We are roughly 50% down in income. We also

understand that many of our parishioners are having financial difficulties and their needs to pay their expenses

and feed their families are a priority.

Our staff has been working diligently both in the office and from home. We are lucky to have such capable people

in our collaborative.

4. Liturgical:

Since the pandemic restrictions have been prolonged, we have, with the assistance of Joanne Mercier, our

Religious Education Coordinator - skilled in media matters –, been able to live -stream Mass at 4 PM each

Saturday. It is also available on our web page etc. following the live stream. We will also live stream a noon Mass

for Ascension Thursday (5/21). Perhaps other events can be made available as well.

We do not know when our churches will be able to open again. We are awaiting State and Diocesan guidelines

before we decide what is best for our collaborative. At the present time, we do not foresee adding any masses.

(remember Fr. John is 69 and Msgr. Is 77). There may be a need to change the existing Mass schedule as well as

location of Masses due to social distancing, sanitizing needs etc.

We do foresee having all daily masses at St. Mary’s, in the beginning, because of distancing regulations and the

constant air changing with the air conditioning,

God has brought us to this moment, and He will bring us through it. Most parishes are experiencing some of the

same concerns we are. If we all work together much can be accomplished and the work of evangelization in our

area will continue.

Should you have any concerns or suggestions please contact both of your pastors so we can both know and

respond to you. The most efficient way to reach us will be through our email addresses.

Stay safe, be well. God bless you and we thank you for your collaboration.

Fr. John Raposo Msgr. John Oliveira

Catholic Community of New Bedford North

HOW DOES A PERSON BECOME A CATHOLIC

“I have called you by name" Isaiah 43:1

“What is a holy moment? It is a moment when you do exactly what you sense God is calling you to do. (Matthew Kelly) Is this the moment that you know God is calling you to become fully initiated in the Catholic Faith. Are you ready to make yourself completely available to God at this moment? Take some time this week to seek information regarding the RCIA Program offered through the Catholic Community of New Bedford North by calling the office at 508-995-3593.

VOCATION CHALICE Your personal, prayerful and financial support as part of our Collaborative’s Vocation support Association (VSA) is a great blessing for us as a collaborative and in the lives of our me in formation for the Priesthood! Consider joining the VSA. Our seminarian we are sponsoring is Chris Hughes who is nearly half way through

his second year of Pre-Theology. Will YOU promote vocations by hosting the Parish “Vocations Chalice” in your home? If you are interested in hosting and praying for vocations for one week, please sign up by calling 508-995-3593. The chalice case contains an educational DVD and prayers to say each day for one week.

Act of Spiritual Communion

My Jesus, I believe that Thou art present in the Blessed Sacrament. I love Thee above all things and I desire Thee in my soul. Since I cannot now receive Thee sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. As though thou wert already there, I embrace Thee and unite myself wholly to Thee; permit not that I should ever be separated from Thee. Amen

Prayer for Vocations

Almighty Father,

You have created us for some definite

purpose.

Grant us the grace to know the path you have

planned for us in this life and to respond with

a generous “Yes”.

Make our diocese, parishes, homes and

hearts fruitful ground for Your gift of

vocations.

May our young people respond to Your call

with courage and zeal.

Stir among our men a desire and the strength

to be good and holy priests.

Bless us with consecrated religious and those

call to chaste single life, permanent deacons,

and faithful husbands and wives, who are a

sign of Christ’s love for His Church.

We commend our prayer for vocations to You,

Father, through the intercession of Mary our

Mother, in the Holy Spirit,

Through Christ our Lord. Amen

The Catholic Community of New Bedford

North has begun live streaming the 4pm Mass

from St. Mary's Church on Saturdays .

We're hoping this is going to be a weekly

opportunity for our Collaborative to worship

together while we wait for the return to public

liturgies sometime in the next few months.

Msgr. Oliveira and Fr. Raposo will alternate

weeks as celebrant and the Masses will

stream from St. Mary's because it has internet

service, the best lighting and visual setup.

There are a few ways to view & participate in

this Mass with your family from home:

• If you use the mobile Facebook app, search

for our page CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF

NEW BEDFORD NORTH. At least for right

now the video will go live right around 4pm on

Saturday and will be the first post on the

page. We'll leave it pinned to the top through

Monday morning for those who can't make the

live view and want to watch it later or on

Sunday.

If you are using a computer, you can find our

page by typing in facebook.com/ccnbn in

whatever browser you use.

If you don't use Facebook, we will put the

video up on the front page of our

website www.ccnbn.org after the Mass. We

now have a YouTube channel and access to

that, as well as our Facebook page, can be

found through the buttons on the upper right

hand corner of our website's front page.

Ascension Thursday

May 21, 2020

We will be live

streaming

From St. Mary’s

Church

At 12:00Noon

“SERVICE IS THE PRICE WE PAY FOR

BEARING THE NAME CHRISTIAN”

All Saints Ca†holic School

Preschool—Grade 8

Prayer to St. Thérèse,

the Little Flower

O Glorious St. Thérèse, whom Almighty

God has raised up to aid and inspire the

human family, I implore your miraculous

intercession. I fervently beseech you to

answer my petition…(here state your

request)...and to carry out your promises of

spending Heaven doing good upon earth.

Little Flower of Jesus, give me your

childlike faith, to see the face of God in all

people and experiences of my life, and to

love God with full confidence. Help me to

always believe, as you did, in God’s great

love for me, so that I might imitate your

“little way” each day. Amen.

Safe, Nurturing, Technology Rich, Catholic Environment

Solid Curriculum - Focus on 21st Century Skills & Gospel Values - Strong Parent-

School Communication ~ Affordable & Acces-sible

Extended Care available 6:30AM—5:30PM Full Day Preschool for 3 & 4 year olds

Come & see the opportunities available for your child to grow & succeed in an active, faith-filled community of

learners!

Contact Principal Sue Massoud at smassoud@ascs.dfrcs.org or

508-995-3696 for more information or to schedule a tour. www.ascsnb.org

We invite you to visit All Saints Catholic School and experience our intimate environment where stu-

dents feel safe, welcomed and loved — and form friendships that last a lifetime.

Women’s A.A.

Women’s Closed Meeting Alcoholics Anonymous:

St . Joseph-St. Therese on Saturdays in the parish hall from

9:00-10:15AM Will resume as soon as restrictions are lifted

COLLABORATIVE STAFF

Rev. John A. Raposo Co-Pastor & Moderator Msgr. John J. Oliveira, P.A. Co-Pastor Rev. Deacon Tony Pimentel Permanent Deacon Mr. David Beaulieu Pastoral Associate pastoralassociate@ccnbn.org

Mrs. Peggy Lenihan Finance & Operations financeandoperations@ccnbn.org Mrs. Linda Marie Del Val Bookkeeper Mrs. Lou Bernardo Secretary secretary@ccnbn.org Mrs. Joanne Mercier Director of Faith faithformation@ccnbn.org Formation & Youth/ Young Adult Ministry

Ms. Cherie Jupin Coordinator of Faith Formation 508-264-4820 Grades 1-4 Ms. Amy Rodgers Coordinator of Faith Formation Grades 5-7 Mr. Walter Pires Confirmation Team Leader Mrs. Barbara Bonville Director of Adult Enrichment bbonville@stmarysnb.com Mr. Thomas Leman Stewardship Coordinator Mrs. Suzanne Beaulieu RCIA Coordinator suebee912@aol.com Mrs. Patricia Ferreira SM Music Director pferreira@ascs.dfrcs.org Patrick and Denise Gannon OLF Music Director Barry Turley, Alex Breault & Michelle Rioux SJST Music Ministry

Mr. Tobey Burke Facilities Manager tobeyb.smnb.fm@gmail.com Mr. Alfred Dias Custodian OLF Mrs. Connie Avelar Custodian SJST

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT SIXTH Sunday OF EASTER Those who obey the commandments, Jesus says in today’s Gospel, are the

ones who really love Him. Does my stewardship re-veal my love for Jesus? (Our Sunday Visitor, ibid., page 9).

Sharing the Gospel

If you love Jesus, you will do what he asks. If someone hurts your feelings, Jesus asks you to forgive. If someone is hard to get along with, Jesus asks you to show love. If someone is sick, Jesus asks you to pray. Learn from Jesus. Follow his example. Love all people like God does.

Prayer

Jesus, help me to love you enough to do all that you ask. Readings for the week of May 17, 2020 Sunday: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17/Ps 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20 [1]/ 1 Pt 3:15-18/Jn 14:15-21 Monday: Acts 16:11-15/Ps 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b [cf. 4a]/Jn 15:26—16:4a Tuesday: Acts 16:22-34/Ps 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8 [7c]/ Jn 16:5-11 Wednesday: Acts 17:15, 22—18:1/Ps 148:1-2, 11-12, 13, 14/Jn 16:12-15 Thursday: Acts 18:1-8/Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4 [cf. 2b]/Jn 16:16-20 Ascension: Acts 1:1-11/Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9 [6]/ Eph 1:17-23/Mt 28:16-20 Friday: Acts 18:9-18/Ps 47:2-3, 4-5, 6-7 [8a]/Jn 16:20-23 Saturday: Acts 18:23-28/Ps 47:2-3, 8-9, 10 [8a]/ Jn 16:23b-28 Next Sunday: Ascension: Acts 1:1-11/Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9 [6]/Eph 1:17-23/Mt 28:16-20 7th Sunday of Easter: Acts 1:12-14/Ps 27:1, 4, 7-8 [13]/1 Pt 4:13-16/Jn 17:1-11a