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

As we enter the third week of Lent, our journey continues. This Lent we are endeavoring to enrich our worship and faith with varied experiences. On the 2^nd of March we prayed the Way of the Cross through the eyes of our Blessed Mother. Copies of the Marian Way of the Cross may be purchased in the Rosary Altar Gift Shop. Each day at morning mass the congregation comes around the altar during the Consecration. This brings us closer together as a prayer community as we celebrate the Eucharist. Deacon Chuck continues his class “Four Gospels are Better than One” opening our eyes to the gospels. And this week we journey with Fr. Dave Nicgorski as we celebrate our Parish Mission. Take advantage of the myriad opportunities this season to make your journey richer and more enlivening.

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 17 4:00 pm	Youth Choir
Sunday, March 18 2:00-3:30 pm 9:00-12 Noon	Starfish Food Collection Scripture for the Disabled 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 3/4 $15,304.43

Identifiable Donors (610) $14,119.65

Loose Cash $ 1,184.78

Our 5% tithe of $765.00 will be added to the Second Collection which totaled $4,049.57 with 348 identifiable donors 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 English ivy. The ivy vine using holly as its support is a sign of the Christian clinging to Christ. Ivy is transfigured in treetops from a flowerless vine into a fruitful and sturdy shrub, and for this reason has become a symbol of Mary, as well as of every Christian made fruitful in Baptism.

STEWARDSHIP RECOGNITION CORNER

Special recognition and gratitude is given this week to Pat McDermott, her committee and those that donated blood on Sunday, February 25^th.

TABERNACLE LAMPS

Tabernacle lamps will be lit from March 17^th through March 30^th for John & Julia O’Sullivan, The O’Sullivan Family and The Gunn Family by request of The O’Sullivan Family.

PARISH MISSION

The Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Mission is scheduled for this week, Monday through Thursday, beginning at 7:30 pm. The theme of this year’s Lenten Mission is a “Journey of Promises” and will focus on: 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.

MINISTRY OF THE MONTH

Please take time over the next few weeks to check out the display in the narthex created by the Green Thumb Committee.

THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK – 2007

(based on the Passion according to Matthew)

The Lenten reflection book published by the Diocese of Saginaw is STILL AVAILABLE for $1.00. They will are in the bookrack in the narthex. Please deposit the money in the alms box. These books contain 6-minute daily meditations that 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 13^th, 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 “Second Scrutiny” with “The Elect”: Olivia Franklin, Tyler Kaziska, Travis Morrell and Victoria Sparrow. Let us pray and reflect with them and name what keeps us from living as children of the light. What are the fruitless works of darkness in our world, our society and our communities that need to be exposed in the light of Jesus, who is the truth?

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

DRIVERS

Tire & Service Centers

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 Traditional Stations of the Cross, will be Friday, March 16^th, at 6:30 pm. Small Church Communities will host the soup supper in Community Hall.

REST IN PEACE

Please remember in your prayers the soul of ANTHONY DWULET who has recently died.

CURTAINS

Final payment is now due for the April 22^nd trip to NYC to see the musical CURTAINS. Monies may be brought to the office NO LATER THAN MARCH 30^th. If you are unsure how much you still owe, please contact the office as soon as possible. We will leave the Kings Shopping Center at 11 am for the 3 pm performance and will return about 7 pm.

ROSARIAN GIFT SHOP

The Rosarian Gift Shop will be open after all Sunday Masses 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.

PARISH DIRECTORY PICTURES

Due to overwhelming demand, two new dates have been added to the photo schedule in order to accommodate parishioners. Friday, April 20^th from 3:00-9:20 pm and Saturday, April 21^st from 10:00 am-4:00 pm in the Old Church Hall. Please schedule your appointment online at www.ollwhs.org, or by calling Dottie at 788-2972 or Madeline at 534-4868.

“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, 9:00 am-4:00 pm

St. John Neumann Diocesan Center, Piscataway

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.

DIOCESE OF METUCHEN

CATHOLIC CHARISMATIC RENEWAL

The Diocese of Metuchen Catholic Charismatic Renewal Committee will sponsor a FISH on Friday program titled, “Witness: Sign of Compassion.” Jodie D’Angiolillo, Director of the Diocesan Office of Evangelization, will give the presentation on Friday, March 16^th, at 7:30 pm at St. John Neumann Pastoral Center in Piscataway. For information, call 735-7804.

HELP SUPPORT OUR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

50/50 RAFFLE

2007 Spotlight on Catholic Education Dinner

Cost per ticket: $50.00

Dinner Proceeds will benefit St. Francis Cathedral School, Metuchen, and The Foundation for Catholic Education in the Diocese of Metuchen. To purchase tickets call 732-562-2429 or see www.diometuchen.org/development/charityevents.htm. Drawing will be held on Tuesday, April 17^th, at the DoubleTree Hotel, Somerset. Winner need not be present.

DIABETES COMMUNITY FAIR

Saturday, March 17^th, at Hunterdon Medical Center

1^st Floor Lobby – 10:00am-2:30pm

Free Screenings include: Foot Exams, Blood Pressure, Stress Assessment, Body Fat Analysis, Body Mass Index, Blood Glucose for People with Diabetes. Free Dilated Eye Exams for Adults with Diabetes provided by the NJ Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Eye drops will be used and can blur vision temporarily. Please arrange for a ride home. To register for the dilated eye exam, call 788-6136 by March 14^th.

NEXT SUNDAY’S READINGS

Fourth Sunday of Lent

Joshua 5:9a, 10-12: The people celebrate the first Passover in the promised land.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21: Jesus reconciles us to his Father.

Luke 15:1-3, 11-32: Forgiveness and reconciliation are reasons for celebration.