MASS SCHEDULE

Mon., April 30 8:30 am	Easter Weekday/Pius V, pope Fred DeMaio req John & Emilia D’Aniello
Tues., May 1 8:30 am	Easter Weekday/Joseph the Worker Robert Wantrofski req Leonard’s Small Church Group
*Wed., May 2 8:30 am	Athanasius, bishop, doctor Joseph P. Ligeour req Michael & Ellen Denning
Thurs., May 3 12:10 pm	Philip and James, apostles Betty Dey req Caroline & Anthony Formica
**Fri., May 4 8:30 am	Easter Weekday Jimmy Haran req Polly Glowatz & Family
Sat., May 5 8:30 am 5:30 pm (Vigil)	Easter Weekday Bertha Steube req The Denning Family Alfonso Moya req Elisa Dulay
Sun., May 6 8:00 am 9:30 am 11:00 am	Fourth Sunday of Easter Rosary Altar Society People of the Parish Delia Halligone req Stan & Mary Bender

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

** First Friday Adoration – Immediately following the 8:30 am Mass until 10:00 am.

FROM THE DESK OF FR. LEN

Having ministered at OLL during the late 80’s, there are many parishioners that not only remember my time here but also have mementos from that time. Someone passed along the October 30 bulletin of 1988. Fr. Gall in his weekly letter not only mentioned me but also something that is even relevant today. Below is an abbreviated form of his letter.

I was reading an article recently that gave an interesting but frightening observance. The first statement was that the largest religious group in the country is the Catholic Church. The next statement “knocked the socks off of me”. The second largest religious group in the country is the grouping of those Catholics who do not practice their faith. Our own parish statistics are proof of it. About 50% to 60% of our parishioners worship weekly. (Current statistics are 45% to 50%.) I share these statistics not to put anyone down, but instead to elicit your prayers for our absent brothers and sisters. I invite you to come up with some ingenuity as to how to encourage or invite your neighbors, friend and relatives to church participation. I wish sometimes that we could afford to hire others to do the “business” parts of parish life that the priests do, so that Fr. Lenny and I could slowly visit and talk with unchurched parishioners.

Please consider taking Fr. Gall’s initiative to heart and encourage more active participation in our church life.

THIS WEEK AT OLL

Monday, April 30 4:30-5:45 pm 4:30-8:00 pm 6:30-8:00 pm	Religious Education Religious Education Registration Religious Education
Tuesday, May 1 10:00 am-Noon 6:30 pm 7:30 pm	Beyond Sunday (Rms. 9 and 10) 1^st Eucharist #3 Rehearsal Prayer Group
Wednesday, May 2 4:30-5:45 pm 4:30-8:00 pm 6:30-8:00 pm 8:00 pm	Religious Education Religious Education Registration Religious Education Knights of Columbus
Thursday, May 3 7:00 pm	Bereavement Support Group
Saturday, May 5 11:00 am 5:30 pm 7:30 pm	1^st Eucharist #4 Rehearsal 1^st Eucharist #3 Lourdes Players
Sunday, May 6 8:00 am 9:30 am 11:00 am	May Crowning CLOW 1^st Eucharist #4

GOD’S PLAN FOR GIVING

Sacrificial Giving

Holy Thursday $ 1,000.00

Good Friday/Holy Land $ 3,382.45

Easter $41,480.98

Easter tithe $ 2,074.00

TITHING FOR MAY 6th

The 5% tithe of next weekend’s collection will be sent to the American Cancer Society.

LITURGICAL SYMBOLISM

This week’s liturgical symbol is the bachelor button. Along with daisies and poppies, these “cornflowers” form a red and white carpet alongside European wheat fields. Blue bachelor buttons have been designated as Paul’s flowers.

STEWARDSHIP RECOGNITION CORNER

Special recognition and gratitude is given this week to the Rosary Altar Society as they celebrate 50 years of faithful and prayerful service to our parish community.

REST IN PEACE

Please remember in your prayers the soul of THERESA GATARZ who has recently died.

WELCOME NEW PARISHIONERS

Michelle Amen and children

John & Meredith Bewalder

Daniel & Cheryl Edmonds & Family

Walter & Marliese Haemmerle & Family

Ryan & Heather Holck & Family

Jose & Ingrid Miranda & Family

Maura Reilly

Steven & Alba Reilly & Family

Kelly Sian

Douglas & Lauren Vail & Family

BEYOND SUNDAY Adult Faith Formation

Our study of “Growing Our Images of God” will continue on Tuesday, May 1^st, from 10:00 am to noon, in Classrooms 9 and 10. This week, we will discuss Revelation of God as seen through the Holy Spirit. Newcomers are always welcome. If you would like more information, please call Joline at 534-2319, ext. 12.

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.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION REGISTRATION

Registration for religious education at Our Lady of Lourdes for 2007-2008 will be held on Monday, April 30^th, and Wednesday, May 2^nd, from 4:30 to 8:00 pm in Community Hall. This is for REGISTERED PARISHIONERS ONLY. You should have received your registration materials in the mail. If you have any questions, please contact Liz Systo at 534-2319 ext. 17.

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

COMFORT KEEPERS

Thank you for placing an ad in our bulletin.

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.

“Home Is Where The Heart Is.”

CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group invites all to attend a Mass on Tuesday, May 8^th at 7:30 pm. Father Charles Sabella, the celebrant, will offer individual prayers for healing after the Mass.

ST. JOSPEH BY THE SEA

ANNUAL RETREAT FOR WOMEN

The Ladies Annual Retreat at St. Joseph’s by the Sea in Mantoloking, NJ, will be May 9^th and 10^th. We will be leaving the OLL parking lot on May 9^th, after the 8:30 am Mass. You may leave at 2:30 pm or stay for dinner. Cost for the day is $35, which will include two meals. If you’re staying the 9^th & 10^th the cost is $80. A deposit is requested. Contact Carol Caivano at 534-9377.

WEDDING BANNS

Second Time

Jennifer Rose Nolan & Regis Gerard D’Angelo

RCIA … and beyond

This past weekend our “neophytes” (newly baptized), our candidates and their families participated in various ministries during the Family Liturgy. The RCIA process holds the Easter season as formative for them… as well as all the baptized. “They should experience a full and joyful welcome into the community and enter into closer ties with the parish community…who, in turn, should derive from them a renewal of inspiration and outlook” (RCIA # 246). Let us continue to support them as they continue their faith journey.

LOURDES PLAYERS

Invites you to a Mystery Party…

Murder At The Deadwood Saloon

On Saturday, May 5^th, from 7:30 to 10:00 pm, the Lourdes Players of our parish will present a Murder Mystery Party, Murder at the Deadwood Saloon. It takes place in the 1870’s in the Old West. The party features a Poker Tournament where notable card players compete to win the Big Prize. During the course of the event, someone will meet with an unfortunate end, and guests must solve the crime. The party includes beer, wine, BYO liquor, and a full dinner buffet. Guest tickets are $18 for adults in advance ($20 at the door), $15 for seniors, $10 for teens, and free under age 12. For advanced tickets and information, call 534-2319.

THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

• The K of C are proud to present their 4^th Annual Charity Golf Event on May 3^rd, starting at Noon, at the High Bridge Hills Golf Course. Entrance fee is $125, which covers all greens fees, lunch, and dinner. Prizes will be given. Proceeds will go to support our community and local charities. All are welcome to have a great day on the links for the good of those less fortunate. Contact Joe Katzenberger at 236-2034 Jim Johnson at 534-0692.

§ The Knights of Columbus are collecting eyeglasses for the Eyes for the Needy, and old cell phones for battered women. We will collect items in Community Hall on Sundays of each month that we hold our Pancake Breakfast. Contact Bob Keeling at 236-9648 if you wish to donate earlier, or give items to any of our brother Knights at any time. Remember our next breakfast is Mother’s Day, May 13^th. Our Lady of Lourdes Council 6930 is a very proud servant of charity in our parish since March 1, 1978.

THEOLOGY ON TAP

The Diocese of Metuchen, Young Adult Ministry Office, is pleased to offer a creative outreach to young adults in their 20’s and 30’s, single and married. Theology on Tap will meet at Mia Sorella Ristaurante at 337 North Main Street in Manville from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. $15 cost includes hot food and cash bar.

Monday, April 30^th

Topic: “Living on a Prayer”

What Does the Church Teach About Prayer

in our Lives?

Speaker: Michael Dalessio, M.S.W.

CHILDREN GROW BEST IN FAMILIES

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen, is in need of Foster Parents for 11,000 children in New Jersey’s foster care system. Children of all ages and backgrounds are in need of loving, nurturing homes. Many of these children are innocent victims of abuse and neglect. CALL TODAY! 1-866-247-HOME (4663). You can help!

NEXT SUNDAY’S READINGS

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Acts 14:21-27: The missionaries Paul and Barnabas complete their journey.

Revelation 21:1-5a: Like bride and groom, God pledges everlasting love.

John 13:31-33a, 34-35: Jesus’ followers live by a new commandment: Love one another.