MASS SCHEDULE

Mon., March 26 8:30 am	Annunciation of the Lord Virginia Ferris req Carol Briski
Tues., March 27 8:30 am	LentenWeekday Helen Sersen req Edward & Brenda Omilian
*Wed., March 28 8:30 am	Lenten Weekday Frank Giarritta req Frank & Helen Omilian
Thurs., March 29 12:10 pm	Lenten Weekday James O’Malley, Sr. req Don & Linda Collins
Fri., March 30 8:30 am	Lenten Weekday Henrietta Stevens req M/M Berg
Sat., March 31 8:30 am 5:30 pm (Vigil)	Lenten Weekday Pearl Goller req Madeline Fisher Annette Zalewski req Mother & Family
Sun., April 1 8:00 am 9:30 am 11:15 am	Palm Sunday Rosary Altar Society People of the Parish Fred Eberhardt req Fred & Werner Thomisser, cousins

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

FROM THE DESK OF FR. LEN

THANK YOU. We often use these words but how often do we take the time to recognize the importance of them? This past week I think I said Thank You more than I have in my whole life – and truly meant each word. From Fr. Dave who unconditionally “stepped up to the plate,” to the parish staff who “lifted me up and never let my feet touch the floor,” to the parishioners that made sure Fr. Dave and I were fed and the students that served each supper, to the many, many, many parishioners that confirmed that my extended family resides in Hunterdon County, I am eternally grateful. Lent is a time for us to move forward in faith, hope and love. My wish is that as you begin the last full week of Lent you may come to see the blessings God has given you during this season and that you may remain in the palm of His hand. As He guides us towards His passion, death and resurrection, may He continue to assist you in recognizing Him in your life.

THIS WEEK AT OLL

Monday, March 26 4:30-5:45 pm 6:30-8:00 pm	Religious Education Religious Education
Tuesday, March 27 10:00 am-Noon 7:30 pm	Beyond Sunday (Rms. 9 and 10) Prayer Group
Wednesday, March 28 4:30-5:45 pm 5:30 pm 6:30 pm 6:30-8:00 pm	Religious Education Youth Bells Advanced Bells Religious Education
Thursday, March 29 4:30 pm 7:00 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm	Children’s Choir Cantors Adult Choir Stewardship
Friday, March 30 6:30 pm 7:30 pm	Soup Supper Traditional Stations of the Cross
Saturday, March 31 4:00 pm	RCIA Retreat Youth Choir
Sunday, April 1 9:30 am 6:00 pm	Starfish Food Collection CLOW Youth Group

GOD’S PLAN FOR GIVING

Sacrificial Giving

Weekend of March 17/18 $12,947.11

Identifiable Donors (541) $11,953.00

Loose Cash $ 994.11

Our 5% tithe of $647.00 will be sent to Operation Smile. Last year’s collection for the weekend of March 18/19 amounted to $15,544.58 and the donors totaled 661.

TITHING FOR APRIL 1^ST

The 5% tithe of next weekend’s collection will be sent to

the Holy Land for the preservation of the shrines of the Holy Land and the Sacred Congregation of Oriental Churches.

LITURGICAL SYMBOLISM

This week’s liturgical symbol is the Madonna Lily. This day, St. Joseph’s Day and Eastertide (and a host of other days) are celebrated with lilies, along with roses, as emblems of purity and ardor.

TABERNACLE LAMPS

Tabernacle lamps will be lit from March 31^st through April 13^th for John O’Sullivan, requested by Jack & Mary Ann Gale; Alice Renna, requested by Don Collins’ Small Church Group; and Walter Fletcher requested by his wife, Muriel.

STEWARDSHIP RECOGNITION CORNER

Special recognition and gratitude is given this week to those who cooked (Dottie Dargis, Rosemary DeGeorge, Emma McGrath and Margaret Sanguiliano) and also those who served (Michael Bujnowski, Anthony DaSilva, Michael Hild, Leigh Idleman, Danielle Kadish, Kyle Kostakis and Laura Parrella) during the Parish Mission.

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.

BEYOND SUNDAY Adult Faith Enrichment

Our study of “Growing Our Images of God” will continue on Tuesday, March 27^th, from 10:00 am to noon, in Classrooms 9 and 10. This week, we will

discuss Revelation of God as seen through the parables of Jesus. Newcomers are always welcome. If you would like more information, please call Joline at 534-2319, ext.12.

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

SAHARA POOLS

Thank you for placing an ad in our bulletin.

SOUP SUPPER/STATIONS OF THE CROSS

Our next Lenten Soup Supper, followed by Traditional Stations of the Cross, will be Friday, March 30^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 ANN RUSAY and GENIVE PASSERELLO who have recently died.

OLL YOUTH EVENTS

TEENS NEEDED: for Teen Stations of the Cross on Good Friday, April 6^th. Rehearsal: Monday, March 26^th at 8:00 pm in Church with Debbie McKenna.

STARFISH EASTER FOOD COLLECTION

The Easter food collection will take place next weekend, March 31/April 1. Please bring items that are appropriate for an Easter ham dinner as well as holiday treats. Fresh foods are welcome at this time, but please put them in a separate bag.

EASTER FOOD BASKETS

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Monday, April 2 @ 6:30 pm – People needed to set up Community Hall.

Tuesday, April 3 @ 9:00 am – Volunteers to sort food.

Wednesday, April 4 @ 9:00 am – Volunteers to pack non-perishable food.

Wednesday, April 4 @ 5:00 pm – Volunteers to sort and pack fresh food.

Wednesday, April 4 @5:30 pm – Volunteers needed to deliver food to those unable to pick up and to assist those picking up their food.

PREPARING FOR THE EASTER TRIDUUM

Palm Sunday

The Entrance Rite next Sunday will begin at the rear of the church at all Masses. Please come early so that you can participate in this ritual.

Please note: Decorating will take place Saturday, March 31^st, from 9:00-11:00 am.

Reconciliation

Saturday, March 31^st 11:00 am – Noon

4:00-5:00 pm

Tuesday, April 3^rd 6:00-7:00 pm

Wednesday, April 4^th 6:00-7:00 pm

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP

The Bereavement Support Group is being offered by the Ministry of Consolation here at Our Lady of Lourdes. The group is designed for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. The program begins on Thursday, April 12^th at 7:00 pm and runs for eight consecutive Thursdays. There is no charge for this series. The sessions are designed to help the participants deal with the sometimes complicated feelings that are part of the grieving process. If you or someone you know is grieving the loss of a loved one, please join us. For more information, or to register for the series, please call Joline Frank at 534-2319, ext. 12.

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.

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.

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.

VOLUNTEERS REQUESTED

The Rockaway Reformed Church serves a Shepherd’s Meal to low-income families on the last Friday of every month. If you would like to volunteer along with a group of parishioners from Our Lady of Lourdes to assist with the next meal scheduled for March 30^th at 6:30 pm, please contact Mary Bender at 788-1958.

THE COLLEGE OF SAINT ELIZABETH OFFERS MINISTRY CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS

Come for an Open House on Wednesday, April 18^th, at our new off-site location, St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish, Bridgewater, at 7:00 pm.

Learn to serve God and the People of God with competence and confidence.

The Center for Theological and Spiritual Development at the College of Saint Elizabeth

Call Mary Ann Badenoch at (973) 290-4364

NEXT SUNDAY’S READINGS

Palm Sunday

Isaiah 50:4-7: The Suffering Servant speaks to the weary.

Philippians 2:6-11: Jesus emptied himself, and God filled this emptiness with exaltation.

Luke 22:14-23:56 or 23:1-49: The passion of the Lord itself gives witness to the shout: “Clearly this is the Son of God.”

CHRISM MASS, APRIL 2^ND, 7:30 PM

ST. FRANCIS CATHEDRAL, METUCHEN

On Monday, April 2^nd, Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski will celebrate the Chrism Mass with the priests of the diocese. At this Mass, the Bishop will bless the Holy Oils, which each parish receives for the rites of anointing. Saint Ambrose (340-397) began this custom –which we now call the Chrism Mass-in his Cathedral in Milan. These Holy Oils, which are used to sanctify the Faithful, have been channels of holiness for centuries! The Oils of Catechumens is used to anoint the chest of infants and hands of adults before their Baptism; the Oil of the Sick is used on the forehead and hands of the infirm in the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick; and Sacred Chrism is used to anoint the head of the newly baptized, the foreheads of confirmandi, the hands of a priest at his ordination, the head of a bishop at his ordination, and the altar and walls of new churches. These Oils are kept in an ambry; the latin word armarium means cupboard or chest. At the Mass, all priests make a Renewal of Commitment to Priestly Service, recommitting themselves to their Bishop and to their ministry to God and His People; the Bishop and all Priests then ask the people for a pledge of their prayerful support. All are strongly encouraged to join the ancient, grace-filled Chrism Mass.

PLEASE RETURN TO OFFICE

VOLUNTEERS FOR PALM SUNDAY, HOLY WEEK & EASTER

NAME: ______________________________________

PHONE: _____________________________________

SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 9:00-11:00 am

_____ Decorate the church (men for climbing ladders)

SUNDAY, APRIL 1, PALM SUNDAY

_____ Direct cars in the parking lot:

_____ before 9:30am _____ before 11:15 am

GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 3:00 pm LITURGY

_____ Adults to assist in the carrying of the cross

SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 9:30-11:30 am

_____ Assist in decorating the church – Many hands needed!

_____ Set up, decorate for fellowship (which will follow the Vigil)

_____ Donate finger foods for fellowship

_____ Donate desserts for fellowship

_____ Serve during fellowship (after Vigil)

_____ Clean up after fellowship (after Vigil)

EASTER VIGIL, APRIL 7, 8:00 pm

_____ Many persons to carry Easter flowers during the Gloria procession (Practice at 11:30 am)

SUNDAY, APRIL 8, EASTER

_____ Direct cars in the parking lot:

_____ before 9:30 am _____before 11:15 am