St. Matthew Parish 19 Dora Lane, Limerick, Maine 04048-3527

Tel. 207-793-2244

website: www.stmatthewlimerick.org

Diocese of Portland Diocesan website: www.portlanddiocese.org

We welcome you to the Catholic Community of

St. Matthew and the celebration of the Eucharist.

ST. MATTHEW PARISH STAFF:

Very Rev. Philip A. Tracy, V. F. Pastor

E-mail address: philip.tracy@portlanddiocese.org

Rev. Jack Dickinson, Parochial Vicar

E-mail address: jack.dickinson@portlanddiocese.org

Deacon Paul Lissandrello, Pastoral Associate

E-mail address: paul.lissandrello@portlanddiocese.org

Heather Silva, Secretary/Bookkeeper

E-mail address: heather.silva@portlanddiocese.org

Deacon Paul Lissandrello, P.C.L.

Deacon Paul Lissandrello Altar Server Coord.

Gail Libby, Music Director, 793-8998

FINANCE COMMISSION:

Henry McKeown Kevin LaFreniere Theressa Harrigan

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS:

Jon DiCentes, Grand Knight, 247-8875

BIRTHPLACE HELPLINE:

Abortion Alternatives/Project Rachel, 1-800-227-3002

WEEKEND MASSES:

Saturday at 4:00 p.m. Sunday at 8:00 and 10:30 a.m.

WEEKDAY MASSES:

9:00 a.m. - Monday*, 8:00 a.m. - Tuesday*, Thursday*, Friday* *Check weekly bulletin for possible time changes.

BAPTISMS: Parents who want to have their child(ren) baptized are

asked to please call the parish office (793-2244).

WEDDINGS: Anyone planning to get married must call the parish

office at least SIX MONTHS PRIOR to the proposed wedding date.

CONFESSIONS: Saturday at 3:00 p.m., AND ANYTIME BY APPOINTMENT.

NEW PARISHIONERS: Welcome to St. Matthew Parish. Please fill out the Par-

ish Membership Form below and drop it in the collec-tion basket or mail to the parish office.

DOMESTIC ABUSE HOTLINE: 324-1802 or 1-800-239-7298

PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN: www.portlanddiocese.org/protecting-gods-children

We joyfully welcome back to the Church any of our brothers and

sisters who may have been away.

PARISH MEMBERSHIP:

Name ______________________________________________

Address ___________________________________________

City _______________________________________________

Zip Code ___________________________________________

Phone No.___________________________________________

Email Address________________________________________

Check

_____New Registration _____Updating Info.

_____Change of Address _____Moving out of Parish

MASS INTENTIONS THIS WEEKEND

Saturday 4:00 p.m. Intentions of the Parishioners

Sunday 8:00 a.m. Thomas & Kathleen Hennessey by the Family

10:30 a.m. Anita McKeown (44th Anniversary) By Henry McKeown

MASSES FOR THE WEEK

Monday 9:00 a.m. Our Lady of the Rosary by Constance Cote

Tuesday 8:00 a.m. John Daley by the Marsessault Family

Wednesday

8:00 a.m. Miraculous Medal Novena &

Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament

Thursday 8:00 a.m. Wayne Hennessey by the Family

Friday 8:00 a.m. Sr. Mary Gillespie by Constance Cote

MASS INTENTIONS NEXT WEEKEND (July 7 & 8th)

Saturday 4:00 p.m. Glen Googins by the McKeown Family

Sunday 8:00 a.m. Scott Dixon by Gavin & Priscilla Dixon

10:30 a.m. Alivia Welch by Mr. & Mrs. Maurice Lamontagne

ST. MATTHEW CHURCH LIMERICK

TODAY IS THE 13TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME. THE READINGS BEGIN ON PAGE 34 OF THE MISSALETTE.

Readings for the Week of July 1, 2018

Sunday: Wis 1:13-15; 2:23-24/Ps 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11, 12,

13 [2a]/2 Cor 8:7, 9, 13-15/Mk 5:21-43 or 5:21

-24, 35b-43

Monday: Am 2:6-10, 13-16/Ps 50:16bc-17, 18-19, 20-

21, 22-23 [22a]/Mt 8:18-22

Tuesday: Eph 2:19-22/Ps 117:1bc, 2 [Mk 16:15]/Jn

20:24-29

Wednesday: Am 5:14-15, 21-24/Ps 50:7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-13,

16bc-17 [23b]/Mt 8:28-34

Thursday: Am 7:10-17/Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11 [10cd]/Mt 9:1-8

Friday: Am 8:4-6, 9-12/Ps 119:2, 10, 20, 30, 40, 131

[Mt 4:4]/Mt 9:9-13

Saturday: Am 9:11-15/Ps 85:9ab and 10, 11-12, 13-14

[cf. 9b]/Mt 9:14-17

Next Sunday: Ez 2:2-5/Ps 123:1-2, 2, 3-4 [2cd]/2 Cor 12:7-

10/Mk 6:1-6a

Pastor’s Pondering In an effort to free up some time over the summer, my plan is to

write a series of synopsis’ on Fr. Martin Pablo’s book, Remain-

ing Catholic: Six Good Reasons for Staying in an Imperfect

Church. If the need arises, I will interrupt the series for a more

timely pondering.

A common objection these days is that one does not need to go to

Church to be with God. This arises from our current distrust of

most institutions, the clergy abuse scandal, and the general ten-

dency in society to be more comfortable interacting with people

through technology. Well meaning people conclude that they can

read the bible by themselves, find God in nature, and be spiritual

without belonging to a Church. Pablo notes God’s plan in Scrip-

ture is for people to find blessedness, happiness and union with

God. In the Old Testament, God called the Israelites to be part of

a covenant community. To be outside the community was un-

thinkable for the Jew. Jesus builds upon this in his message. He

calls his disciples together, teaches them how to avoid selfish-

ness and to be servants to one another. He offers the Eucharist as

a means of remaining in him and his last words are for the Apos-

tles to go forth and to baptize people into the community of faith.

The rest of the New Testament tells how the Church came to be

organized, and calls it the Body of Christ, the Bride of Christ. If

we want to love God, how can we ignore his clear intention for

us to be Church? Pablo goes on to say from a human experience,

being in a community encourages us to reach out in concrete

ways to others. Furthermore, a community brings with it a sense

of tradition. Questions can be answered because previous genera-

tions have wrestled with issues, overcome sin and provided tools

to discern the presence of God and the things of God. Without a

community, people need to figure those things out strictly by

themselves. He asks, if you want to succeed in accomplishing a

task, like losing weight, you usually try to do it with others. Fi-

nally, he addresses the examples of frailty within the Church.

Pablo points out that the Apostles often made poor choices, the

early Church ignored the needs of the Greek speaking widows,

but Jesus always gave them a chance to get things correct, and

the Holy Spirit helped overcome the moments of weakness. The

Church may have its share of black eyes, but it also has a mag-

nificent record of overcoming problems, building a tradition of

art, culture and teaching that creates a sense of hope, peace and

love. We need to go to Church because that is what God’s plan

for us requires, and in time, God’s grace overcome the obstacles

we encounter.

THE 13TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

OFFICE CLOSED: The office will be closed on Monday, July

4th in observance of the holiday. July 4th Community Luncheon BBQ The Congregational Church on Main Street in Limerick is hosting the July Community luncheon on Wednesday, July 4th with a BBQ at their church. They will also have rides in a vintage Model T Ford as a special treat, as well as

a door prize. This is open to anyone who would like to attend. Please RSVP to Joyce Mains at 793-2207

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: Will be on First Friday, July 6th,

beginning after the 8:00 a.m. Mass - 5:00 p.m. Please sign up

in the narthex to come and be with the Lord. Each moment you

spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament brings joy, pleasure,

and delight to His Sacred Heart! “My joy, my pleasure, my

delight is to be with you.” (Prov 8:31)

Welcoming Committee: There will be a meeting of the

Welcoming Committee on July 7th at 2:30pm.

NEXT WEEK: We will welcome Rev. Fr. Carlos Arturo Ferrero, IVE, as a member of the Institute of the Incarnate Word. Rev. Ferrero is a member of the Province of the Death and Resurrection of the Lord in Cyprus who has been assigned as priest at St. Paul’s Catholic Parish. He will be here for Masses July 7th and 8th as he participates in the 2018 Mission Cooperative Program The Institute of the Incarnate Word is a congregation of diocesan right, founded by Carlos M. Buela in Argentina in 1984; currently, it has 823 religious of whom 390 are priests, currently working in 85 Dioceses and Ecclesiastical Jurisdictions. It is present in 38 countries on five continents including the Middle East. The funds collected in the second collection during these Masses will be used for the day-to-day support, to supply material goods, to finish projects, and to meet the basic needs (food, medicines) in areas where they work.

SPIRITUAL EXERCISES OF ST. IGNATIUS:

19TH ANNOTATION RETREAT

Are you:

Looking to deepen your relationship with God?

Wanting to rekindle your prayer life?

Yearning for a greater connectedness with all of creation?

Facing a major decision?

Wondering about Pope Francis’ beautiful spirituality?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, consider making the

Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, 19th Annotation Retreat. This 30-

week retreat begins in September and ends in May. It is commonly

called, “The Retreat of Daily Life”. It is held at St. Martha Church, in

Kennebunk, on Wednesdays. You would have the choice of EITHER

Wednesday morning OR Wednesday evening. Each session consists of

meeting one on one with a prayer guide (spiritual director), and listening

to a reflection done by one of the guides. Daily praying with scripture is

also part of the retreat. The Exercises are the background out of which

Pope Francis comes.

You are welcome to call Maureen Fulford (207-468-4070) or Ellie Flavin

(207-985-2971) with any questions you might have and to receive the

application.

Free Support Group for Weight Loss and Healthy Living

Come meet with others in your community who seek weekly support and accountability to step on a scale or measure your own progress in whatever method you choose. There is no charge. No donations/dues will be accepted. Please contact Theressa Harrigan at theressa.harriganarc@gmail.com for more information or to sign up. Meetings to be held at the Bonney Memorial Library in Cornish on Mondays 6 – 7pm beginning 7/2.

PARISH FINANCES

Amount needed weekly to operate parish $ 3,900.00 WESHARE Online Giving 06/24/18 $ 440.00 Offertory 06/24/18 $ 3,825.00 JUNE OFFERTORY AS OF 6/24/18 $ 14,542.25

WHAT SHALL I BRING TO THE LORD, THE GOD OF HEAVEN, WHEN I COME TO WORSHIP HIM? - Micah 6:6

THIS WEEK’S SECOND COLLECTION: Parish Expenses, those with envelopes will have one Parish Expense envelope that can be turned in any time during the month of July.

ST. MATTHEW CHURCH FOOD PANTRY THE PANTRY SCHEDULE IS AS FOLLOWS:

1st & 3rd Tuesday 10am-12pm 1st Monday 6-7pm

2nd Friday 10am - 12pm

**Serving residents of Limerick, Newfield, Parsonsfield or parishioners.

St. Matthew Food Pantry is always in need of a few items they

have a hard time purchasing from Good Shepherd. Would you

be willing to donate these items? A collection container can be

found in the Narthex.

Mayonnaise Peanut Butter Canned Meat

Jelly & Jams Spaghetti Sauce Chef Boyardee

Ketchup Mustard Relish

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!!

Plastic & paper bags are needed for the Food Pantry. You may leave them in the narthex.

IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROGRAM “PROTECTING GOD’S CHILDREN”

In the interest of children’s safety, we ask that children not be allowed to leave Mass to use the restrooms downstairs, unless they are accom-panied by an adult. Because we are a public building, doors are required to be unlocked, allowing entrance to all.

THE BOTTLE RELIEF FUND, sponsored by the Knights of Co-

lumbus, has gotten even easier. While celebrating

with family and friends this summer season, please

save your bottles and cans. For the convenience of

parishioners, you can drop your bottles and cans off

at JD’s Package Store & Redemption, 13 Sokokis Trail,

E. Waterboro (across from Hannaford). Let them

know they are for “St. Matthew Bottle Relief Fund”.

Those who wish to continue dropping off at the Bottle

Shed here at church, may continue to do so. Thank you for all

your support.

St. Matthew Church

Saturday: 4:00 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM

10:30 AM

Monday: 9:00 AM

Tue, Thur, Fri: 8:00 AM

St. Therese Lesieux Parish

Saturday: 4:00 PM Holy Family, Sanford

Sunday: 7:30 AM Notre Dame, Springvale

9:00 AM Holy Family, Sanford 11:00 AM Holy Family, Sanford

MWF 7:30 AM During the Winter, Daily Mass is at Holy Family. The Rest of the Year, it alternates Be-tween the two Worship Sites

The Presence Radio Network Week of Sunday, July 1, 2018

A CLOSER LOOK™ Weekdays at 6pm – 7pm

Take A Closer Look with award winning journalist

Sheila Liaugminuas as she interviews newsmakers,

elected officials, scholars, notable experts and clergy

Studio line: 1-888-914-9149

The Presence Radio is your listener-supported Catholic radio. 106.7 FM in Greater Portland, 90.3 FM in Greater Bangor,

89.7 FM Mid-Coast, 89.5 FM Augusta, 97.5 Fort Kent, 1390AM Northern Maine, 105.7 FM in Springvale & Sanford

Listen online www.thepresenceradio.org, Download the free Presence Radio smartphone app or dial 605-475-8037 and listen on your cell phone

or T-Mobile users dial 360-398-4479

JULY 1, 2018

VOCATION VIEW “What will this child turn out to be?” You have been imbued with your vocation from the moment of your conception. Has Christ chosen you to be a priest, brother or sister? Contact Father Seamus G r i e s b a c h a t 2 0 7 - 7 7 3 - 6 4 7 1 ; o r e m a i l : s e a m u s . g r i e s b a c h @ p o r t l a n d d i o c e s e . o r g ; W e b s i t e : www.portlanddiocese/vocations; Facebook: VocationsME.

Jesus said to the synagogue official, "Do not be afraid; just have faith." When they arrived at the house of the synagogue official, he caught sight of a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. So he went in and said to them, "Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep." - Mk 5:36bc, 38-39

Please include the following priests serving in our diocese in your daily prayers this week:

July 01 Bishop Paul Baltakis OFM July 02 Rev. Paul Marquis/Rev. Emile Dube July 03 All Priests July 04 Rev. John McHugh OFM Cap/Rev. Philip M. Tracy July 05 Rev. Anthanasius Wirsiy/Rev. Bernard Welch July 06 Rev. Thomas Lequin/Rev. Theodore Letendre FIC July 07 Rev. John O’Hara/Rev. N. Stephen Savarayia HGN

Precious Blood of Jesus, cover our priests and protect them from the snares of the enemy. Bless them and make them guardians to watch over Your sheep. May the Blood of Jesus always help them..

Ven. Mother Catherine Aurelia, Foundress

JULY 01, 2018 BAKED GOODS: Would you like to help out, but rather do it from

home? Here are two options: 1 We

need people to make calls. We will provide a list and you make calls asking those people to donate goods to the

baked goods table. 2 Do you love to

bake? We would love your special treat that you love to make and are good at. Consider donating to the baked goods table. Call the office FMI 793-2244.

DONATIONS: Items for the Flea Market, Clothing, Toy and Book

booths can now be dropped off under the tents out back. Please be mind-ful of the items you are donating. We would like NEW or GOOD used condition items only. Video surveillance will be utilized during this time to monitor donation drop offs. NEXT MEETING DATE: The next meeting of the Funshine Fair Committee will be this Tuesday, July 10, at 6PM in the Meeting Room.

PENNY AUCTION: The Penny Auction team has placed the WISH BOARD in the narthex. If you would like, please select an item from the board, purchase it, fill out the pink sheet and return both to the parish office by July 22.

NEW THIS YEAR!!! ORDER FROM OUR AMA-ZON WISH LIST AND HAVE IT SHIPPED RIGHT TO THE CHURCH!!! CHECK IT OUT:

http://a.co/abq2dtK

*NOW AVAILABLE*

Anniversary Quilt Raffle

&

Windsor Chair Raffle.

Tickets are

$1 each or 6 for $5.

Get yours outside

after Mass!

PLANT SALE

THIS WEEKS PLANT BOOTH FEATURING:

10” Scaevola Hanging Baskets (Good for full sun areas)

Extraordinaire Strawberry Blonde Marigolds

Red White & Blue Petunias (For the 4th of July)

There are some remaining Pepper Plants from last week.

Make sure you visit Ed

and get yours this weekend.

SUPER RAFFLE TICKETS

Raffle Tickets $15 each

1st Prize - $1500.00 2nd Prize - $750.00 3rd Prize - $500.00 4th Prize - $250.00

5th Prize - 40 drawings @ $50 each

ONLY 1000 tickets will be sold!!! Odds of Winning: 1 in 23