MASS SCHEDULE

Mon., March 12 8:30 am	Lenten Weekday Margaret Avolio req Attilio & Asunta Bianco
Tues., March 13 8:30 am	LentenWeekday Alice Renna req Herman & Bobby Flynn
*Wed., March 14 8:30 am	Lenten Weekday Health & Blessings-Maura Knoffer req The Stoller Family
Thurs., March 15 12:10 pm 7:30 pm	Lenten Weekday Alexis Clark req A Friend Health & Blessings-Barbara Kearns req Stan & Mary Bender
Fri., March 16 8:30 am	Lenten Weekday Lorella Colatto req M/M Mark Tressito
Sat., March 17 8:30 am 5:30 pm (Vigil)	Lenten Weekday Edwin Zuczek req M/M John Drwal Josephine Starr req Jason & Allison Sorrentino
Sun., March 18 8:00 am 9:30 am 11:00 am	Fourth Sunday of Lent Robert Mottes req The Mottes Family Anna Adamczyk req Ida & Stanley Kocur People of the Parish

* Rosary for Peace – After the Wednesday 8:30 a.m.

FROM THE DESK OF FR. LEN

You will notice in today’s bulletin an insert concerning next week’s Parish Mission. For those not old enough to remember, in “olden times” a Parish Mission was an annual opportunity for a guest preacher to come to a parish to offer a week’s worth of prayer and reflection. Times have changed and now a parish normally offers a day or an afternoon of reflection. However, Fr. Dave Nicgorski and his community are trying to reintroduce this practice. I encourage you to come to this week’s experience. Monday and Tuesday will be prayer services, Wednesday will be a Lenten Penance Service and Thursday we will conclude the event with a special closing mass. We all could use a spiritual tune-up; make the most of this valuable opportunity.

THIS WEEK AT OLL

Monday, March 12 4:30-5:45 pm 6:30-8:00 pm 7:30 pm	Religious Education NO Religious Education PARISH MISSION
Tuesday, March 13 10:00 am-Noon Noon-3:00 pm 7:30 pm	Beyond Sunday (Rms. 9 and 10) Lourdes Senior Meeting (CH) PARISH MISSION
Wednesday, March 14 4:30-5:45 pm 5:30 pm 6:30 pm 6:30-8:00 pm 7:30 pm	Religious Education NO Youth Bells NO Advanced Bells NO Religious Education PENANCE SERVICE
Thursday, March 15 4:30 pm 7:00 pm 7:30 pm	Children’s Choir NO Cantors NO Adult Choir
Friday, March 16 6:30 pm 7:30 pm	Soup Supper Traditional Stations of the Cross
Saturday, March 117 12:00-6:30 pm 4:00 pm 6:30 – 9:00 pm	Confirmation Retreat Youth Choir K of C Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner
Sunday, March 18 2:00-3:30 pm 9:00-12 Noon	Starfish Food Collection Scripture for Special Needs Family Ministry

GOD’S PLAN FOR GIVING

Sacrificial Giving

Weekend of February 24/25 $14,253.30

Identifiable Donors (626) $13,134.02

Loose Cash $ 1,119.28

Our 5% tithe of $713.00 will be sent to The Father Andrew Scholarship Fund. Last year’s collection for the weekend of February 25/26 amounted to $16,308.58 and the donors totaled 668.

Weekend of March ¾ $1

Identifiable Donors (626) $1

Loose Cash $ 1,

Our 5% tithe of $xxx will be added to the Second Collection and sent to Catholic Relief Services. Last year’s collection for the weekend of March 4/5 amounted to $16,667.82 and the donors totaled 676.

TITHING FOR MARCH 18th

The 5% tithe of next weekend’s collection will be sent to Operation Smile, a non-profit organization that provides free surgery for children born with cleft lips and palates. For more information, visit www.operationsmile.org.

LITURGICAL SYMBOLISM

This week’s liturgical symbol is the lion. Folklore associates the sun with the zodiacal sign of Leo, perhaps because the warmest days in the northern hemisphere are during the weeks that the sun passes through this sign, perhaps also because the golden mane of a male lion is imagined to resemble the sun.

STEWARDSHIP RECOGNITION CORNER

Special recognition and gratitude is given this week to Dottie Dargis and her committee for coordinating the photo sessions for our new Parish Directory.

PARISH MISSION

The Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Mission is scheduled for March 12-15, (Monday through Thursday) beginning at 7:00 pm. The theme of this year’s Lenten Mission is a “Journey of Promises” and will focus on promises: The Promises of God, The Promises of Family, and The Four Last Things. Attending the mission is a marvelous opportunity to find a little inspiration and peace in an ocean of troubles and busyness. Parish missions are part of our vibrant, Catholic transition. For hundreds of years the Church has acknowledged the wisdom of scheduling spiritual maintenance for her sons and daughters. All are welcome. Fr. David Nicgorski, a religious from the community of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, will be our parish missionary.

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THE BLESSED SACRAMENT IS RESERVED AT OUR LADY OF LOURDES AND ALL ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHES. WE RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT ALL OBSERVE A REVERENT SILENCE AND APPROPRIATE DRESS.

THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK – 2007

(based on the Passion according to Matthew)

The Lenten reflection book published by the Diocese of Saginaw will be available this weekend for $1.00. They will be in the book rack in the narthex. Please deposit the money in the alms box. These books contain 6 minute daily meditations which will help you “continue the Lenten Journey.”

BEYOND SUNDAY Adult Faith Enrichment

Our study of “Growing Our Images of God” will continue on Tuesday, March 6th, from 10:00 am to noon, in Classrooms 9 and 10. This week, we will discuss Jesus the Icon of God and His Images for God. Newcomers are always welcome. If you would like more information, please call Joline at 534-2319, ext.12.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS

Next Sunday at 9:30 am Mass we will celebrate the “First Scrutiny” with “The Elect”: Olivia Franklin, Tyler Kaziska, Travis Morrell and Victoria Sparrow. These very moving and powerful prayers ask God’s protection on those who will soon become full members of our Catholic Church through the sacraments of initiation. In the scrutinies, we pray for deliverance from evil and protection against all the demonic forces that would enslave the disciples of Jesus. Your prayers and your support are important for our sisters and brothers who have been journeying these past months. Please continue to hold them in your Lenten prayers for they count on you for support in making their faith journey.

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE SERVING ALL OVER THE WORLD. GOD BLESS THEM AND BRING THEM HOME SAFELY TO THEIR LOVING FAMILIES.

Sponsor of the Week

JACK ARGENTO

Coldwell Banker Residential Broker

Thank you for placing an ad in our bulletin.

LIVING STATIONS

Adults and Youth are needed for our Lenten Living Stations on March 23^rd. If anyone is interested, call Joe Systo at 534-6891 or Liz Systo at 534-2319, ext. 17. There will only be one living station experience this Lenten Season. Please call as soon as possible for parts.

SOUP SUPPER/STATIONS OF THE CROSS

Our next Lenten Soup Supper, followed by Family Stations of the Cross, will be Friday, March 9^nd, at 6:30 pm. OLL Families will host the soup supper in Community Hall.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

ST. PATRICK’S DAY DINNER

The Knights of Columbus will be having their annual St. Patrick’s Day Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner on Saturday, March 10^th, from 6:30-9:00pm in Community Hall. Cost: $25 per couple, $15.00 per person, and $5 for children (under 12). Tickets sold at the door only.

HABITS OF THE SOUL

A Lenten Luncheon Journey

Come and enjoy a time of spiritual nourishment during the Lenten season. Habits of the Soul:Learning to Live on Purpose is a very enlightening 40-day journey toward inner peace and joy. We will meet starting on March 8^th, in Rooms 9 & 10 after the Thursday 12:10 Mass. Bring your own lunch. For more information, call or email Anne Kistrup at 534-7980 or annemk18@yahoo.com. All are welcome.

ROSARIAN GIFT SHOP

The Rosarian Gift Shop will be open after all Sunday Masses from March 3^rd through July 1^st. Communion, Confirmation, and other gift items are available. Your support helps our scholarship fund given to a child in our parish each year. Appointments are available during the week by calling Helen at 534-2835.

ROSARY ALTAR SOCIETY

Rosary Altar Society is requesting donations of old or new rosaries, prayer cards, small religious statues (less than 12 inches), prayer books, etc. They will be given to Father William Worman, Chaplain at the Lyons VA Hospital and other Veteran Hospitals in the area. A bin will be in the narthex on Sunday, March 18^th during Lent. Any questions, please call Anna at 534-4617 or Ruth at 534-4039.

A LENTEN MORNING OF REFLECTION, REFRESHMENT, AND RENEWAL

Come for an experience of prayer, personal reflection, and practical insight with Dr. Mary Jo Leddy and Rev. James Martin, SJ, on March 23^rd. Sponsored by the Center for Theological and Spiritual Development at the College of Saint Elizabeth. Please call (973) 290-4300 for a flyer giving all the details, or register online at www.cse.edu/center.

SPIRITUALITY CONVOCATION

COLLEGE OF SAINT ELIZABETH

The Fifteenth Annual Spirituality Convocation will take place at the College of St. Elizabeth on March 24^th. Keynotes by Fr. James Martin and Mary Jo Leddy, over 20 workshops, and music will be a part of this great day. Please call (973) 290-4300 for a brochure giving all of the details, or register online at www.cse.edu/center.

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

The Readington Township Home and School Association is accepting applications for their annual Scholarship Awards for the upcoming school year. A total of $2,500.00 in scholarships will be awarded to Readington Township students this year. Anyone wishing to apply should go to www.readington.k12.nj.us. Click on Organizations and then HSA. All completed applications must be received, via mail, by June 5^th.

“MEGATRENDS” in the CATHOLIC CHURCH

A Discussion with John Allen, Jr.

CNN’s Vatican correspondent and The National Catholic Reporter’s “All Things Catholic” columnist

Author of the bestselling books Conclave and Opus Dei

Sponsored by the Department of Worship and Liturgical Formation of the Diocese of Metuchen

Thursday, March 15^th at 7:30 pm

Bakhita Hall at St. John Neumann Pastoral Center

Piscataway

Free to the Public

Please call 732-562-1990. Ext. 1634, for directions and tickets.

“TO TRUST AGAIN”

MARRIAGE PREPARATION SESSION

Saturday, March 31^st

9:00am-4:00 pm

St. John Neumann Diocesan Center

Piscataway, NJ

If you or your future spouse experienced a prior marriage that ended with the death of a spouse or have received a Church annulment* you may wish to register for the “To Trust Again” marriage preparation program.

This program is tailored to meet your specific needs.

The marriage formation team consists of married team couples with similar experiences, a professional therapist and a priest counselor. Why not utilize the full resources the Family Life Office can provide by attending this helpful session?

For additional registration information call (732) 562-1990 ext. 1624 or email: jpsota@diometuchen.org.

*A church annulment must be granted before registration will be accepted.

NEXT SUNDAY’S READINGS

Third Sunday of Lent

Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15: From a burning bush God promises redemption.

1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12: Do not grumble as the Israelites did.

Luke 13:1-9: They just may suffer. The fruitless may get a second chance.