Fourth Sunday of Lent 22 March 2020

St. Michael Catholic Church & School Gastonia, NC

“I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see and those who do see

might become blind.” ~John 9:39

This Week at St. Michael’

Sacred Liturgy From Fr. Rossi...

Sunday, March 22 4th Sunday of Lent

Holy Mass— † Lorayne Rossi Holy Mass— † Peggy Jugis

Monday, March 23

Holy Mass— † Claudio López

Tuesday, March 24

Today, make a Spiritual Communion, especially when we feel helpless or have lost the fervor to seek out Jesus.

Wednesday, March 25

The Annunciation of the Lord

Holy Mass—† Charles David Cunningham

Today, pray the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary asking for these graces.

Thursday, March 26

Holy Mass— † Jeannette Rosetter

Today, pray especially for all those sick and suffering from COVID-19 or any

other disease/affliction.

Friday, March 27 Day of Abstinence

Holy Mass— James Ostendorf, Jr.

“He spreads a table before me in the

sight of my foes” Psalm 23:5. Make a Spiritual Communion today thanking God for the Eucharist, the

priesthood and the gift of Holy Mass.

Saturday, March 28

Holy Mass—† Michael Klatt

Holy Mass—† John E. Stanton

Today, let us go to her confident that our Lady hears every cry and plea uttered by

her children.

Sunday, March 29 5th Sunday of Lent

Holy Mass—For the People Holy Mass— † Lee Broome

All Mass Intentions will be Honored

Please Remember in your Prayers 

Parish Members & Friends:

Fr. James Ebright, Sister Mary Olivia Shirley, Sr. Josepha Whi y, Amy and children, Anna Ashworth, Janet Ather-ton, Karen Bailey, Ace Beam, Joe Bell, Joseph Michael Berta, Baby Kiera, A. Bevendez, Tim Biddix, Janice Black, Burton & Beth Bradley, Jeffrey Brown, Kristy Brown, Mark Bue ner, Willie & Emma Byrd, Jerry Carpenter, Mildred Caruso, Eneida Ceballos, Hilario Chegue, Steven Cherry, Chuck Deal, Gail Driscoll, Be y Dow, Glenda Downey, Michael Durkee, Elizabeth Eddie, Nicholas Escandón, Jill Faille, John Farris, Frances Ficke, Pete & Rebecca Files, Shannon Frazer, Charlie Gallagher, Steve Gnandt, Kathy Geoffroy, Penny Godwin, Aleyda Gómez, Shirley Hachey, Lynn Hamm, Gwen Hart, Calvin Hebert, Dorothy Henley, Judy Horton, Jacob Huffman, Eric Hunter, Connie Hu er, Margaret Jacobs, Linda Johnson, Robin Johnson, Briceida Juya, Mary Kay, Debbie Kerpsie, Holly Koloziejski, Dick & Kay Landry, Joann & Norman Loughmiller, Lucas Lowe, Stephanie Lowry, Kent Lupton, Maureen Lupton, Doris McFee, Rita Mascarenhas, Micheli Family, Andrew Milewski, Heather Monteleagre, Marion Moore, Wayne Moore, John Moore, Jack Neerincx, Kathy Olijnyk, Gerald Orazem, Mary Packard, Charles Pasour, David Peace, Henry Phillips, Gretchen Prendeville, Patsy & Allen Queen, Ivo Raimundo, Penny Ramsey, Maryely Rebolledo Ceballos, Sue Ruocco, Bill & Jim Saluke, Gemma Servin Vega, Maureen Setlock , Jim Sneska, Pat Splawn, Bob Stauss, Michael Stone, James Michael Stoute, McKenzie Reese Tapper, Maerene Thomas, Tinsdale Family, Orlando Torres, Lowry Trull, Willis Family, Jacqueline Wood, Paul & Marion Yager For all in service to our country: Ma hew Barker, Michael P. Bernard, Jr., Derrick Dobbins, Andrew Chase, Joseph Chase, Jeffrey Kaldah, Stephanie Miller, Mar n Spalding, Stefan Zapata For the repose of the soul of: Jack Neerincx

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION SCHEDULE (Drive Thru)

Monday 3-22: 10-11am Wednesday 3-24: 4-6pm Thursday 3-25: 10-11am Friday 3-26: 10-11am Saturday 3-27: 3-5pm

ON THE COVER: The Healing of the Man Born Blind By: Duccio ca.: 1311

Public Domain

Dear Brothers and Sisters, The Lord be with you! This Fourth Sunday Lent is known as Laetare Sunday, which comes from Isaiah 66:10-11, "Rejoice, Jerusalem...!" In the midst of global crisis, we may be baffled that this is a day for rejoicing. However, the Church's life never cancels or quits based on the circum-stances in the world. We are to rejoice today, for it is the Lord's Day. In the Gospel, we rejoice to know that Light as broken through the dark cha-os of sin and death. This Light is Jesus Christ! In the Gospel, the man born blind is healed of his blindness by Jesus. He anoints the man's eyes with clay and he sees for the first time in his life! The man had lived in complete darkness until now. He also comes to faith in Christ Jesus. The Pharisees scrutinize the man harshly. They do not except his simple testimony that Jesus healed him. The man born blind has his faith tested. How often do we find ourselves tested in our faith? When the people or the world around us cause us to question our faith in God, it can be like darkness, not seeing God's marvels or sensing his presence. However, Jesus Christ, the Light of the world, overpowers the darkness. Where are we experiencing darkness or blind-ness in our hearts? The reason to rejoice is Jesus Christ himself. He overpowers all darkness! As the Psalm for Mass proclaims, "Even though I walk through the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with you rod and staff that give me courage!" Jesus is at our side. He is the God Shepherd who is leading us through the dark valley. Our courage and strength come from Him. The readings for Mass have been giv-en to us this Sunday for this very purpose: To overpower the chaos and darkness with the Light of Christ. Rejoice? Yes, rejoice! Rejoice in the Lord always. Today, let us admit that we cannot see and pray to have our eyes opened...opened to the wonders of God's love and His power to overcome the darkness. God bless Fr. Rossi

Message from Our Pastor

SPEND TIME IN THE LIGHT

Ourparishchurchwillbeopenforprivateprayerfrom9:45AM‐5PMeachday.Jesus,LightofWorld,shineuponus.

RESOURCES Bishop Barron—

https://www.wordonfire.org/resources/video/bishop-barron-on-the-coronavirus-quarantine/26906/

Father Mark Toups—

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03dEgOoYl64 Father Mike Schmitz—

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5gZrKx2C40

My Time With Jesus–Lent (Children)—

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xMgWbg1Xs8

Hail Mary Song—

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OxeUAtiuHk Diocese of Charlotte Updates— https://charlottediocese.org/coronavirus-update/

Mary’s Way of the Cross—

http://www.littlesistersofthepoor.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Mary_Way_of_the_Cross_e.pdf The Lenten Sacrifice: How it Can Save Your Life (Teens +)

https://lifeteen.com/blog/how-lent-

can-save-your-life/

CONSECRATION TO SAINT JOSEPH

What does it mean to consecrate yourself to St. Joseph?

What does it mean for a person to be consecrated to St. Joseph? Well, it basically means that you acknowledge that he is your spiritual father, and you want to be like him. To show it, you entrust yourself entirely into his paternal care so that he can help you acquire his virtues and become holy. Total consecration to St. Joseph means you make a formal act of filial entrustment to your spiritual father so that he can take care of your spiritual well-being and lead you to God. The person who consecrates himself to St. Joseph wants to be as close to their spiritual father as possible, to the point of resembling him in virtue and holiness. Saint Joseph, in turn, will give those consecrated to him his undivided attention, protection, and guidance. https://www.consecrationtostjoseph.org/index.html Join us in preparing for the Consecration to St Joseph on May 1. We

begin on March 30. If you want to be included in the daily email

reminder, send an email to tmwebster@stmccg.org.

Bishop Jugis Asks For Intercessory Prayer

To End Coronavirus

CHARLOTTE—BishopPeterJ.JugisisencouragingthepeopleoftheDioceseofCharlottetoprayfortheintercessionofSt.RochandSt.RosalietoendtheCOVID‐19coronaviruspandemic.

MostpublicMassesandallparishactivitieshavebeencancelledacrosswesternNorthCarolina,andall19diocesanschoolshavebeenclosed,aspartofthecommunity’sresponsetothepublichealththreat.

Duringaspecialvideotaped Mass offered March 15,BishopJugisencouragedthefaithfultopraytoSt.RochandSt.Rosalieto“deliverusfromthecurrentattackandsubsequentsufferingweareenduringfromthecoronavirus.”

St.Roch,whoisbelievedtohavebeenborninFranceandlivedinItalyinthe1300s,caredforthevic‐timsoftheplagueinItaly.Hecontractedtheplaguebutsurvivedandmanyhealingswereattributedtohim.Heisthepatronsaintofinvalids.HisfeastdayisAug.16.

St.RosaliewasborninSicilyandlivedduringthemid‐1100s.Inheryouthsheleftherhomeandlivedinacave,givingherlifetoGod.ShediedaloneinacavenearPalermoin1166.In1624aplaguehitPalermoandSt.Rosalieappearedtoasickwomanandahunterandinstructedhimtotheplacewhereherbodywasburied.St.Rosalietoldhimtohaveherbonesprocessedaroundthecitythreetimestoendtheplague.TheplagueceasedandherfeastdiayiscelebratedSept.4.Thefollowingprayertothetwosaintsissuggested:

“Merciful Father, through the intercession of Blessed Mary, St. Roch, and St. Rosalie, deliver us from the cur-rent attack and subsequent suffering we are enduring from the coronavirus. May we seek to assist those in need in body or spirit and ourselves turn away from sin and trust in You. We ask this in the name of the Divine Physician, Jesus Christ Our Lord.”

CatholicNewsHerald.CatholicOnlinecontributed.

https://catholicnewsherald.com/90‐news/local/5575‐bishop‐jugis‐asks‐for‐intercessory‐prayer‐to‐end‐coronavirus

Website Resources: Mass Readings & Bible– USCCB http://www.usccb.org/bible/ Your Unexpected Crosses This Lent– Edward Sri https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5ANueDXxIY How to Pick Up Your Cross– Father Mike Schmitz https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhivUtZhdRI&t=27s St. Roch St. Rosalie

"God can multiply His favors among you so that you may always have

enough of everything and even a sur-plus for good works."

(2 Corinthians 9:8)

Our Parish Office is CLOSED to the public until further notice.

You may leave a message at 704-867-6212 .

Press Option 1 for emergencies that require a priest and Option 2 for all

other messages.

We ask that you prayerfully consider con nuing your dona ons via mail or online on our website at

h ps://www.stmccg.org Simply click the “Donate” bu on on the

main page to begin.

Please be generous to the DSA. Your contribution is a way to act with love for our sisters and brothers throughout the diocese and to continue the saving work begun by Jesus. You may go to charlottediocese.org/dsa or, using the camera app on your smart phone, scan & click on the QR Code on the right.

My Parish App: Find downloading instructions on the back cover of the bulletin Website: https://www.stmccg.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stmichaelsgastonia/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/StMCCG You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCHEAlM6Dtu162Dt1NlWAPyA

DIRECTORIO DE MINISTERIOS 708St.Michael’sLaneGastonia,NC28052

704‐867‐6212

Vicaría de Gastonia - Ministerio Hispano PadreJoseAntonioJuya704‐860‐3826

Bendición /Presentación de Niños: BettyVillegas704‐813‐0764

Catequesis para Niños, Jóvenes & Adultos MireyaRico704‐868‐6347/LuzmarGomez704‐869‐8026

Consejería Espiritual: LlamealPadreJose704‐860‐3826

Comité Pastoral Hispano: ReinaGranadino704‐488‐5976

Coordinador General de Liturgia JohnHerrera704‐616‐5422JulioGarcıa980‐297‐6672

Decoración Quinceañeras & Bodas: Nora704‐689‐1199

Hospitalidad: ArielyDianaSalazar704‐674‐4875

Información para Preparación Matrimonial GaudencioAlvarado980‐320‐5587 ReinaGranadino704‐488‐5976

Lectores: LuzmarGomez704‐869‐8026/704‐747‐1770

Ministros Extraordinarios de la Sagrada Comunión JulioGarcıa980‐297‐6672/GracielaLopez980‐297‐3419

Ministerio de Jóvenes IvonneSegura704‐530‐3011

Ministerio del Coro (incluyendo bodas/quinceañeras) CarlosCalderon704‐860‐6423/FatimaBrens704‐699‐5996

Ministerio Misionero AliciaAlvare980‐329‐5594

Misa para Difuntos: BettyVillegas704‐813‐0764

Monaguillos: MireyaRico704‐868‐6347

Preparación Pre- Bautismal: GracielaLopez980‐297‐3419

Quinceañeras: LuzmarGomez704‐747‐1770

Visita a enfermos: HectoryAliciaAlvare980‐329‐5594 PadreJose704‐860‐3826

PARISH DIRECTORY708St.Michael’sLaneGastonia,NC28052

704‐867‐6212

Pastor Rev.Fr.LucasRossi(Ext. 105) LCRossi@stmccg.org

Hispanic Ministry Rev.Fr.JoseAntonioJuya(Ext. 112) jjajuya@yahoo.com

Deacon Rev.Mr.TimothyMueller(Ext. 101)tmueller@stmccg.org

Deacon Rev.Mr.JohnWeisenhorn(Ext. 101) yourdeak@gmail.com

Administrative Assistant LissetteWestover(Ext. 101) lmwestover@stmccg.org

Director of Faith Formation (English) (Ext. 114) TheresaWebster tmwebster@stmccg.org Director of Sacred Music ToniKeating(Ext. 101) tmkeating@stmccg.org Director of Children’s Choir KristenLevine(Ext101) tklehome@bellsouth.net

Maintenance Technician KenAlbert(Ext104)kgalbert@stmccg.org

St Michael Thrift Store 1111S.YorkStreet‐Gastonia,NC28052Phone:704‐864‐8646Tuesday‐Friday:10‐5:30Saturday:10‐4

Thrift Store Manager AmyPruittappruitt@stmccg.org

St. Michael Catholic School 704StMichael’sLane‐Gastonia,NC28052Phone:704‐865‐4382

Interim Principal KathleenMiller

Administrative Assistant JackieChilders

PASTORAL COUNCIL MEMBERS

John Keating

Indeg Berdusis Ellen Roberts Shane Gomes Mark Ruocco Stan Mascarenhas Christian Tappe Johan Menting Margaret Vogt Linda Mooney Mary Welsh

FINANCIAL COUNCIL MEMBERS

Maureen O’Keefe

Brian Gallagher John Guglielmetti

Riguey Gómez Michael McCarthy

Dawn Nielson Kevin Spalding

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM If you are interested in having your child baptized, please

contact the church office at 704-867-6212.

SACRAMENT OF HOLY MATRIMONY All weddings are celebrated inside the Church on

Saturdays at 1 PM. Please contact the church office at 704-867-6212 for more information.

MARRIAGE TRIBUNAL ADVOCATE

Please contact Rita Kincaid at 704-907-3607 or at rkincaid@carolina.rr.com

SACRAMENT OF ANOINTING OF THE SICK

Please call the church office (704- 867-6212) when seriously ill, for the elderly or before serious surgery or

any time in an emergency.

HOLY COMMUNION AT HOME Please contact the church office at 704-867-6212

FAITH FORMATION & SACRAMENTS FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS

Contact the Director of Faith Formation Theresa Webster at 704-867-6212 ext. 114 or

tmwebster@stmccg.org

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (RCIA) Anyone interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith or who wishes to become Catholic should contact

the Director of Faith Formation Theresa Webster at 704-867-6212 ext. 114 or tmwebster@stmccg.org

ST. MICHAEL’S PARISH APP Download the app by texting the word “app” to 88202, or by

clicking the QR Code below (you have to have a QR scanner app on your smartphone in order to scan the QR Code), or you can

also download the app to your phone by visiting the App Store or Google Play!

DEVOTIONS

Wednesday: 5:00 PM Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

5:30 PM Holy Rosary and Benediction

First Fridays: 10 PM Thursday – 7:45 AM Friday: Nocturnal Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

Every Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM All Day Adoration of the

Blessed Sacrament with Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3 PM

Saturdays: 8:00 AM Lauds & Miraculous Medal Novena

Fridays of Lent: 5:45 PM Stations of the Cross-English

7:00 PM Via Crúcis—Español

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel

St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle.

Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly

Hosts, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl

about the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen.

ATTENTION NEWCOMERS

Have you completed a parish registration form? Do you have any questions?

Please feel free to ask one of our Greeters!

PARISH INFORMATION