Giving Shape to Lent 2015

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GIVING
SHAPE TO
LENT 2015
At Our Lady of Pompeii this year we
hope to recapture the communal
nature of Lenten practice as a parish
family. We walk the path of faith
given to us by God with others.
This booklet provides a description
and schedule of what we will do
together —with our brothers and
sisters— during this holy time of 40
days: there is aa penance for each
week, a plan for Scripture readings,
learning opportunities, serving
opportunities and praying
opportunities.
We will observe Lent together!
It can very difficult to keep the
spiritual discipline of Lent. Sometimes all the good will in the world isn’t enough to make
the journey of conversion. But as a parish family, we can come together and observe the holy
Lent together (by prayer, fasting and almsgiving) and to support each other by offering
together the same penances and Scripture readings for meditation and being involved in the
various activities during the next 40 days of opportunity!
“The Church follows Jesus Christ along the paths that lead every man and woman to the
very ends of the earth (cf. Acts 1:8). In each of our neighbors, then, we must see a brother or
sister for whom Christ died and rose again. What we ourselves have received, we have
received for them as well. Similarly, all that our brothers and sisters possess is a gift for the
Church and for all humanity” (Pope Francis’ Lenten Message 2015).
Don’t attempt Lent alone!
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The Parish Lenten Pledge
I, ______________, pledge to join with fellow parishioners in taking upon myself the
Corporate Lenten Discipline described in Lent at OLOP 2015. This discipline involves
fasting and abstinence, daily prayer, meditation, and the study of holy Scripture. I pray that
the Grace of God will enable me and those others who have taken on this discipline to grow
spiritually and to be bound closer to one another in fellowship of Christ’s Body at Our Lady
of Pompeii.
OUR LENTEN JOURNEY TOGETHER 2015
During Lent we will be reading a common set of Scriptures together. Each day we will read
a few verses. These Scripture readings will take us through salvation history: beginning with
creation and moving towards God’s redemption through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Thus,
we become aware of ourselves as a new creation in Christ Jesus.
Week
Penance
Scripture Readings
First Week of Lent
Giving up sweets, treats
and snacking
Gen 1.1-3; Gen 2.4-25;
Gen 3; Gen 4.1-16; Gen
6.1-8; 7; Gen 9.8-17; Gen
11.1-9
Second Week of Lent
Giving up unnecessary
spending
Ps 136; Gen 12.1-3; Gen
37. 12-28; 41.37-56;
50.15-21; Ex 1-2; Ex
7.1-13; Ex 19.4-6; Num
15; Deut 30.11-20
Third Week of Lent
Giving up careless talk Ps 72; Joshua 1.1-9; 1 Sam
(gossip), profanity &
8; 10.17-27; 15; 1 Sam
indifference toward others 16.1-13; 17; 2 Sam 7; 1
Kings 3.1-15; 2 Kings
23.1-26; James 1.26
Fourth Week of Lent
Giving up caffeine, soda or Ps 2; Lk 2.1-21; Mk
alcohol
1.1-15; Mk 4.1-20; Mk
5.1-20; Mk 8.27- 9.13; Mk
9.43-50; Mk 10.17-45
Fifth Week of Lent
Giving up entertainment
and idle time on the
internet
Ps 22; Jn 12.1-8; Jn
12.27-50; Jn 13.1-30; Jn
14; Jn 17; Jn 18.1-19.30;
Jn 19.31-42
Holy Week
Eating 1 main & 2 small
meals daily
Mk 14-16
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PARISH LITURGICAL SERVICES
• Daily Mass is offered at 8:00 a.m. in the chapel Monday to Thursday.
• The Rosary is prayed Monday to Thursday at 7:30 a.m. in the chapel.
Ash Wednesday, February 18, is not a holy day of obligation but it is fitting to begin the
season of Lent at Mass asking for the grace of conversion. The imposition of ashes in the
form of a cross is a sign of mortality (Genesis 3:19) and a sign of hope that Jesus Christ
offers us power of the resurrection. Thus, Ash Wednesday is a great beginning to turn from
sin and turn toward the Lord.
Traditionally, the Church fasts from all food on Ash Wednesday to remind us that our
physical hunger for food points to a greater spiritual hunger for God. Those between 18 and
60 are bound to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Fasting means having no meat and
no more than one full meal.
Join us for regular prayer, fasting and almsgiving:
•
•
•
•
8:00 a.m. Mass
12 Noon Mass
7:00 p.m. Mass
Ashes will be distributed all day 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., except during Mass.
Palm Sunday, March 29: Masses: 4:00 p.m. (Saturday Vigil), 8:00 a.m., 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m.
The Holy Three Days
Lent ends on Holy Thursday and we enter a time of special grace in these next few days.
Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter define the Christian. These holy days are
characterized by the solemn commemoration of the saving mystery of the life, Passion, death
and Resurrection of Jesus. Holy Thursday evening we celebrate the Lord’s Last Supper in
which He instituted the Holy Eucharist and the Ministerial Priesthood. Tonight, watch with
the Lord as the did the Apostles.
Good Friday is the commemoration of the Passion and death of the Lord. As Pope Benedict
said, “we will worship the Crucified Christ, we will share in his suffering with penance and
fasting. Looking ‘on him whom they have pierced’ (cf. Jn 19:37), we shall be able to draw
from his pierced heart, from which blood and water flowed as from a source; from that heart
from which the love of God for every human being flows, we receive his Spirit. Therefore,
on Good Friday, let us too accompany Jesus on his ascent to Calvary, allowing him to guide
us right to the Cross and to receive the offering of his immolated Body.”
The Holy Church of God celebrates the Easter Vigil with great solemnity during which
Jesus’ Resurrection is proclaimed to the world. The resurrection is the Lord’s definitive
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victory over death. At the Easter Masses we remember our Baptism, we welcome new
Catholics and we bring into full communion those who are called to share in our Catholicity.
The Easter Mass recalls the extraordinary gift of new life with Jesus Christ through Baptism
which allows to rise with the Lord Jesus Christ and to share in the heavenly banquet.
At Our Lady of Pompeii, we will celebrate:
Holy Thursday, April 2
The Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:00 p.m. followed by Adoration of the Blessed
Sacrament in the Chapel until 10:00 p.m. Please note: there is no morning Mass.
Good Friday —The Day of the Lord’s Holy Passion, April 3
The 3:00 p.m. service consists of The Liturgy of the Word (the Reading the Passion), Adore
the Holy Cross, and Reception of Holy Communion.
Holy Saturday, April 4
The Easter Vigil at 8:00 p.m. Please note: there is no 4 p.m. Mass.
Easter Sunday, April 5
Masses: 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m.
The Lord is risen! He is truly risen!
Cristo è risorto! È veramente risorto!
¡Cristo ha resucitado! ¡En verdad ha resucitado!
Christus resurrexit! Resurrexit vere!
Christos voskrese! Voistinu voskrese!
Si Kristo ay nabuhay! Siya nga ay nabuhay!
Cristo ressuscitou! Em verdade ressuscitou!
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JOIN US IN PRAYER
PRAYER PARTNERS: an invitation for all the parishioners to commit to praying for one
person throughout the season of Lent. Slips with peoples’ names are available throughout
Lent in baskets at the entrances of the Church.
The OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP NOVENA: The Novena begins on Wednesday, March
4, 7:00 p.m. and runs for nine weeks. This year the theme for the Novena is “Our Lady and
the Witness to God’s Forgiveness.”
The dates:
March 4, 11, 18, 25 AND April 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29.
Saint John Bosco taught: “Be devoted to Mary Most Holy: Call on her frequently. Never
was it known that anyone who trustingly had recourse to her was not promptly heard.” A
novena is nine days’ private or public devotion in the Catholic Church to obtain special
graces. The Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help has been preached at our Parish since
1995.
The LENTEN MISSION will be preached by Father Jordan Lenaghan, O.P. on the theme of
the Eight Beatitudes at 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in three area parish churches. This is a
combined effort of the parishes so that we hear the Word of God preached anew, to build
good fraternal relationships with our neighbors and to share our resources with others.
Father Jordan is a Dominican Friar of the Province of St. Joseph and the Catholic chaplain
at Quinnipiac University. Father Jordan is a gifted preacher and frequently offers Mass at
Our Lady of Pompeii Church.
The schedule:
• Sunday, March 22, 7:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Pompeii Church (East Haven)
• Monday, March 23, 7:00 p.m. at Saint Monica Church (North Branford)
• Tuesday, March 24, 7:00 p.m. at Saint Augustine Church (North Branford)
—Confessions will be heard as part of the evening reflection
MONDAY CONFESSIONS DURING LENT
“Peace be with you!” With these words, the Risen Lord greeted His frightened Apostles in
the Upper Room on the day of His Resurrection from the dead. Christ repeated the words
“Peace be with you!” Then He added, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are
forgiven them” (John 20:19-23).
Every Monday evening during the season of Lent Confessions will be heard in the Church
from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. More information visit: Light4You.info
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STATIONS OF THE CROSS
The Stations of the Cross “is the idea of life being a journey or pilgrimage, a passage from
earthly exile to our true home in Heaven; the deep desire to be conformed to the Passion of
Christ; the demands of following Christ, which imply that his disciples must follow behind
the Master, daily carrying their own crosses (cf Lk 9:23).”
• Every Friday at 1:00 p.m. AND 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel.
• We host the area churches for the Stations of the Cross on Friday, February
27, 7:00 p.m. A reception will follow the service in the Church Hall.
• Living Stations of the Cross: Good Friday, April 3, 7:00 p.m.
This service involves the Lord’s Passion, the Gospel narrative dramatized by
the youth of the Parish, giving the various parts of the narrative to different
persons interspersed with hymns or moments of silent reflection.
Holy Saturday Easter Food Blessing
Our parish has the traditional blessing of Easter food on Holy Saturday, April 4, 10 a.m. 11:00 a.m. behind the rectory. The blessing typically includes eggs, the symbol of life, and
the blessing of breads and meats of the family table.
“Blessing of the Foods that would be eaten on Easter morning. After a strict Lenten fast
and abstinence, specially prepared foods were made in advance for the blessing. A family
basket would be filled with these foods and then covered with a crocheted cloth. Often
the cloth had an Easter emblem or the words ‘Christ is Risen’ crocheted on it.”
GROW IN DISCIPLESHIP
The Parish in Action
The Parish in Action is a 4-week program intended to give a better understanding of social
justice, and would like to become involved in parish social ministry. Topics include Catholic
social teaching, charity & justice, the elements of parish social ministry, and tools to build
social ministry. This program will be foundational held on Tuesday evenings, 7-9:00 p.m.,
beginning on February 17. The instructor is Sarah Watson Hillier from the Office of Catholic
Justice Ministries of the Archdiocese of Hartford. A free-will offering will be taken. To
register contact Paul Zalonski (203-469-0764; olpreled@snet.net).
Meeting dates: February 17 & 24 AND March 3 & 10 in the LOMR.
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Faith Formation Class
SEVEN DEADLY SINS, SEVEN LIVELY VIRTUES —Pride, envy, anger, sloth, greed, gluttony
and lust: these “seven deadly sins” are patterns of dysfunction that keep us separated from
God and ultimately lead to unhappiness. Join us as we embark on an exploration of these
seven sinful patterns and also learn how practicing countervailing virtues can break the cycle
of sin.
On March 19th, at 7:15 p.m. our parish will begin the Seven Deadly Sins and Seven Lively
Virtues program. To find out more information, please contact Paul Zalonski
(olpreled@snet.net; 203-469-0764) or stop by the parish office to sign up.
Rice Bowl (CRSRICEBOWL.ORG): is a faith-in-action program that will keep the the
experience of Lent by being in solidarity with people in need around the world. Materials
provided help focus our attention. The parish will help you develop a lenten spirituality that
will broaden your faith in Jesus Christ. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the financial
contributions raised by the parishes of the Archdiocese remain in the Archdiocese of
Hartford. Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is well-known for their humanitarian works —all
following the example of Jesus who served the poor and suffering on the basis of need,
without regard to race, religion or nationality.
OPPORTUNITIES TO GET INVOLVED
• Palm Cross: Orders (with payment) for Palm Crosses will be accepted March 1-15. Only
300 palm crosses will be made by the Leap of Faith Youth Group and available for pick up
Palm Sunday weekend following the Masses. Information: Fran Consiglio at
203-468-2419 or Cindy Brown at 203-467-2960. Donation: $7.00 for supplies.
• KofC Saint Joseph’s Pasta Dinner on Saturday, March 14, 2015 following the 4:00 p.m.
Mass. Delicious pasta and meatballs, bread, salad, soda and wine. Entertainment by our
own brother, Rich DePalma. “St. Joseph's Day cake” (Zeppole) will be the dessert. Cost:
$15 per person; $5 children under 10. Contact: Joe at 203-466-2003.
• Ladies Guild Communion Luncheon on Sunday, March 22, 2015, following the 11:30
Mass (about 1:00 pm) at Doody's Restaurant, 465 Foxon Road, North Branford. Cost:
$23.00. For tickets please call Ann at 203-469-1948 or Carmel at 203-469-6663.
• Easter Basket Collection for those in need is taken up during the entire season of Lent.
Anything you would love to see in an Easter Basket. We would like to receive the items
from the Collection by Sunday, March 29th. Help is needed assembling the Easter
Baskets on Tuesday, March 31, 12 Noon in the Church Hall. Information: Mary
203-469-4807.
• Annual Easter Egg Hunt after the 10:00 a.m. Mass on Easter. This cherished event is
organized by the Junior Youth Group.
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Calendar of Events
February 17, The Parish in Action, 7pm to 9pm, LOMR
February 18, Ash Wednesday Masses: 8am and 7pm; Ashes 7:00 a.m.-7:00p.m.
February 20, Stations of the Cross at 1pm & 7pm, OLOP Chapel
February 24, The Parish in Action, 7pm to 9pm, LOMR
March 3, The Parish in Action, 7pm to 9pm, LOMR
March 4, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena, 7pm, Church
March 10, The Parish in Action, 7pm to 9pm, LOMR
March 11, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena, 7pm, Church
March 14, KofC St Joseph’s Pasta Dinner, OLOP Church Hall
March 18, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena, 7pm, Church
March 19, Seven Deadly Sins, Seven Lively Virtues, 7:15pm, LOMR
March 22, Ladies Guild Communion Luncheon, 1pm, Doody’s
March 22, Lenten Mission, 7pm to 8pm, OLOP Church
March 23, Lenten Mission, 7pm to 8pm, St Monica Church (Northford)
March 24, Lenten Mission, 7pm to 8pm, St Augustine Church (N. Branford)
March 25, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena, 7pm, Church
March 29, Palm Sunday Masses: 8, 10 and 11:30am —pick up your Palm Cross
March 31, Seven Deadly Sins, Seven Lively Virtues, 7:15pm, LOMR
April 1, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena, 7pm, Church
April 2, Holy Thursday, 7pm Mass
April 3, Good Friday, 3pm Service; Living Stations at 7pm
April 4, Blessing of Food, 10-11am; Holy Saturday Vigil Mass at 8pm
April 5, Easter Sunday Masses: 8am, 10am & 11:30am (Easter Egg Hunt after the 10am Mass)
April 7, Seven Deadly Sins, Seven Lively Virtues, 7:15pm, LOMR
April 8, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena, 7pm, Church
April 15, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena, 7pm, Church
April 16, Seven Deadly Sins, Seven Lively Virtues, 7:15pm, LOMR
April 21, Seven Deadly Sins, Seven Lively Virtues, 7:15pm, LOMR
April 22, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena, 7pm, Church
April 28, Seven Deadly Sins, Seven Lively Virtues, 7:15pm, LOMR
April 29, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena, 7pm, Church —Final night
May 5, Seven Deadly Sins, Seven Lively Virtues, 7:15pm, LOMR
** The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession):
Every Saturday at 3:00 p.m.
Every Monday during Lent from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7