Baptisms: Call the of ice two months in advance to schedule an appointment. Marriages: Call at least six (6) months in advance for pre-marriage instruction. Reconciliation: Every Sat. 3:15pm - 4:10pm or by appointment during the week. Anointing of the Sick: Available anytime, please call of ice to make arrangements. Holy Orders: Interested in priesthood or deaconate, please contact Msgr. Daniel Torres 439-7400 Ext. 220

SACRAMENTS PASTORAL STAFF Emergency 478-3845

Sat. Anticipated Mass 4:30 pm Sunday 8:00 am & 10:30 am Tuesday - Friday 8:00 am Holy Days of Obligation 8:00 am & 6:00 pm

Mailing Address: 5383 Elliott Road Lake Charles, Louisiana 70605 (337) 478-3845 Fax: (337) 477-2828 Of ice Hours: Mon. - Fri. 9:00a -12N, 1:00 - 4:30pm Of iceisclosedfrom12N-1pmforlunchwww.smdpcatholic.com Incaseofemergencies:(337)478-3845(leaveamessage,someonewillbepaged) Main Church 5495 Elliott Rd. Granger/Vincent Multi-Purpose Complex 5326 Elliott Rd.

Reverend Monsignor Jace Eskind jace.eskind@lcdiocese.org Deacon Richard Donahoe - Director of RCIA rdonahoe@smdpcatholic.com Jackie Goodwill - Administrative Assistant jgoodwill@smdpcatholic.com Pat Foy - Of ice Manager pfoy@smdpcatholic.com Kellie Onxley - Bookkeeper konxley@smdpcatholic.com Joe Whitbeck - Dir. Communications/Facilities/IT jwhitbeck@smdpcatholic.com Leah Arnaud - Records/Receptionist larnaud@smdpcatholic.com Jenny Bellow- Religious Ed. Coordinator - Grades 1-4 jbellow@smdpcatholic.com Melanie Lubrano - Religious Ed. Coordinator - Grades 5-8 mlubrano@smdpcatholic.com Becky Clements - Religious Ed. Coordinator - Grades 9-12 bclements@smdpcatholic.com Terri Wainwright - Religious Ed. Secretary twainwright@smdpcatholic.com Pam Fontenot - Music Ministry/Liturgy Chris Miller - Choir Director

MASS SCHEDULE

P P - Wekeepinprayerourlovedoneswhoaredeployedtoserveinmilitaryforces,aswellastheirfamilies.

SMdP PARISH LEADERSHIP Parish Trustees

Pastoral Council

Finance Council

W.J. Lechtenberg Veronica Miller

Sally Daigle Mary Kaye Eason

Cindy Hanks Eva Hibbing

Cynthia Honore’ Roland Morton Michael Webre

Stephen Liles David Bruchhaus

Mike Eason David Ieyoub

Tina Higgins Johnette Szydlo Shively Verrette

Upcoming 2nd Collections

March 14 - Bishop Services Appeal March 21 - “I Give Catholic” Lenten Challenge March 28 - Catholic Relief Services April 4 - Easter 1st Collection April 11 - Debt Reduction/Building Fund

Jay & Verna White; John Thomas Savoie; Sylvia Elender (B); Irvin Broussard Kenneth O'Blanc

MASS PRAYER INTENTIONS Mar.6-Mar.14,2021

Sat., Mar 6 4:30 pm Sun., Mar 7 8 am 10:30 am Tue., Mar 9 8 am

Wed., Mar 10 8 am

Thu., Mar 11 8a

Fri., Mar 12 8 am Sat., Mar 13 4:30 pm Sun., Mar 14 8 am 10:30 am

Parishioners of St. Martin de Porres Carolyn Eason

Audrey "Sis" Jacobson

Ifyouhavea familymemberdeployedor serving in themilitary,pleasesubmit their names to our “Pray forPeace”military prayer list. Thesenameswillbe lefton the list for the coming yearand removedonlyonyourrequest.Calltheparishof iceat478-3845andaskforLeah.Jessica Daigle Justin Daigle Ty Fuselier Jaron Glass

Jeffery Paul Langley Riley Morris Ronald L. Thompson, II

Quin Charles Vera, Rene Vera, Jr. & Rene Vera; Florencio Rodriguez (A) Elizabeth "Betty" Wilson Dr. Richard Enright; Carl & Adeline King

Lee Bruney; Marvin Paggen (A) Thomas H. Morrissey (B)

Curley & Joyce Guidroz; Cecil Triche, Whitney & Louise Hebert & Gloria H. Lelux; Durrell Hudson, Jr. Parishioners of St. Martin de Porres

We ind it easy to admire—even if we do not imitate—the compassionate Jesus, but an angry Jesus armed with a corded whip, driving traders and moneychangers out of the Jerusalem temple and upturning their tables, may shock us. This gospel does not actually use the word angry, but Jesus’s actions are played out against the backdrop of the zeal of Psalm 69:10, and the burning passion of the psalmist for God and the house of God, the Temple, that Mark places in the mouth of Jesus. This is the zeal that will consume Jesus in the hot noon of Calvary. The cause of Jesus’s anger is not so much the money exchange or animal trading in the outer court of the temple. Foreign coinage that bore pagan or imperial images could not be accepted for the half-shekel tax for the upkeep of the temple sanctuary, and so it had to be exchanged for acceptable temple currency with which to pay this tax and also buy sacri icial animals. John writes that thePassoveroftheJewswasnear, and so those locking to Jerusalem to celebrate this feast from all over the Roman Empire needed to buy the animals required for participation in the temple worship and the domestic rituals. They could do this most conveniently at the temple. Jesus is not unaware of the need for the money exchange, nor so naı ̈ve as not to know that petty pilfering and pro iteering can be involved in these transactions. Something much more radical is happening: the reclamation of the holy place from marketplace to his Father’s house; from empty, atrophied ritual to living worship. By his “parable in action,” Jesus momentarily terminates the temple worship, reclaims it from chaos and commerce, and cleanses the privileged piece of creation that is his Father’s house of prayer. No doubt a few hours later the tables were again in place, animals led back in, coins exchanged—with plenty to talk about! Yet the disturbing Jesus does not disappear from the scene; he has more “table turning” to do. He stays to answer the criticism of his opponents who can see no further than the temple built over forty-six years by human hands or who refuse to imagine or tolerate any alternatives to the religious practices and institutions that they consider faultless and unchangeable. In this Jesus stands in the line of the Hebrew prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hosea, and Amos, who angrily and zealously denounced triumphalism and absolutism in worship. Jesus, too, will suffer the fate of so many prophets before and after him: rejection, persecution, even death. Jesus dares to name himself as the new and living temple in which the divine presence dwells. Ultimately, the sanctuary of his body will be destroyed in his passion and death, only to be raised again in three days. It is only after these events that his disciples will remember and understand Jesus’s words. The contemporary church cannot consider itself beyond the reach of Jesus’s whip or overturning hands. When church leaders connive with unjust and tyrannical civil leaders, when fundraising takes precedence over faith raising, when we refuse to tolerate or even imagine alternatives to religious practices and institutions, when nostalgia for past liturgical practice resists the leading of the Holy Spirit into the future envisaged by Vatican II, then ecclesial “cleansing” is needed by prophets driven by that Spirit of Jesus. And like Jesus, these men and women may often be torn down and destroyed—but ultimately raised up by him. For us who are living stones in the temple of Christ’s Body, Lent is also a time for cleansing the deep personal sanctuary of our hearts, for driving out of our lives whatever clutters our discipleship, blocks our ears to the word of God and the prophets, and distracts us from trading justly and lovingly with the gifts God has given us.

TM the Collar From

PRAY FOR THE SICK Carol Bertrand Jace Boyd Floyd Braud III Turner Brumby Erline Bryant Richard Donahoe Bob Gary Elnora Granger Johnny Granger Ron Harrington

Hilda Leblanc Carol Manuel Lee Melacon Todd Mere Alfred Moore Theresa Morgan Edith Payne Dorothy Rogers Jennifer Ryan Don Simon

Robin Simon Sheila Thibodeaux Paul Thomassee Jimmy Vickers Peter Whitbeck

MASS READINGS March 8 - March 14

Mon., Mar. 8 - 2 Kgs 5:1-15b; Ps 42:2, 3; 43:3, 4; Lk 4:24-30 Tue., Mar. 9 - Dn 3:25, 34-43; Ps 25:4-5ab, 6-7bc, 8-9; Mt. 18:21-35 Wed., Mar. 10 - Dt 4:1, 5-9; Ps 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20; Mt 5:17-19 Thu., Mar. 11 - Jer 7:23-28; Ps 95:1-2, 6-9; Lk 11:14-23 Fri., Mar. 12 - Hos 14:2-10; Ps 81:6c-11ab, 14, 17; Mk 12:28-34 Sat., Mar. 13 - Hos 6:1-6; Ps 51:3-4, 18-21ab; Lk 18:9-14 Sun., Mar. 14 - 2 Chr 36:14-16, 19-23; Ps 137:1-6; Eph 2:4-10; Jn 3:14-21

ATTENDING MASS DURING THE PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS

REMINDERS/SUGGESTIONS

• It’s highly recommended you wear a mask if you attend Mass (removeonlyforcommunion) • If you are not feeling well, please DO NOT attend Mass • DO NOT use the drinking fountains • DO NOT use the baptismal font (ifwaterisinfontitisforbaptismuseonly)

• If you use the bathrooms, wash your hands thoroughly and use the provided hand sanitizer as well • If attending Mass sit only in the labeled seating areas • If your kids are small and active during Mass, please consider watching Mass in the church parking lot or watching the Facebook video at home. • Please avoid touching the pews or other church surfaces unnecessarily (staffmembersmustthoroughlydisinfectaftereachMass.)

• Adoration Chapel is open. Please follow cleaning protocol found inside chapel

The Bishop’s dispensation from the obligation toattend Mass has been lifted for the faithful of theDioceseofLakeCharles.

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HEAVEN Heaven is at present out of sight, but in due time, as snow melts and discovers what it lay upon, so will this visible creation fade away before those greater splendors which are behind it. —JohnHenryNewman REMINDERS People more frequently require to be reminded than informed. —SamuelJohnson ©J.S.PaluchCo. TOTAL ALLEGIANCE In previous weeks we have seen how the theme of covenant—as a preparation for the baptismal covenant celebrated at Easter—occupies an important place in our cycle of Lenten readings. The notion of covenant as a relationship between two parties carries with it an expectation of mutual accountability and idelity to the terms of the covenant. When God forged the covenant with the Jewish people on Mt. Sinai, it was a pledge of God’s protection, and it would forever permit them familiar access as the Chosen People. For their part, the Jewish people were to observe the dictates of the law, summarized most succinctly here in the form of the Ten Commandments. To be in a covenantal relationship with the Lord God requires an exclusive relationship, just as discipleship with Jesus—ritualized in baptism—demands a total allegiance to him and none other.

Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

Bishop Services Appeal Collected $25,474 To-Date

St. Martin de Porres Parish has been given a quota ($60,561) by the Diocese, to collect funds to help support the important functions of many Diocesan of ice of ministry such as, Catholic Charities, The St. Charles Retreat Center, Rachel’s Vineyard, and seminarians education and many more. Please continue to give as generously as possible to ful ill this year’s campaign appeal. On-line givers, remember to select second collections options, as desired.

Every Friday during Lent 8:30am - 5pm. BenedictionandRepositionof the Blessed Eucharist will begin at 5pm followed by the WayoftheCross.

Lenten Exposition VOLUNTEER

SIGN-UP SHEETS ARE AVAILABLE

IN THE NARTHEX

Please Do Not Rearrange Church Furniture The church chairs have been moved during weekend Masses. Please do not rearrange church furniture - especially the large wooden chairs. These chairs are heavy and expensive to repair/replace.

Donations/Offerings Not Accepted in Church Mailbox Due to the hurricane damage to the church of ice, parish of ices are temporarily set-up in the church meeting/music rooms. Donations are not accepted at the damaged 5383 Elliott of ice or the mailboxes. DO NOT DROP OFF DONATIONS IN THE MAILBOX. USPS WILL PICK UP. Donations can be accepted at the new of ice location behind the church, 5495 Elliott rd. As a reminder, donation/offerings can be made through the mail, online, Masses or the parish of ice.

Sunday, March 14

For all who have contracted coronavirus, we pray for care and healing. For those who are particularly vulnerable, we pray for safety and protection. For all who experience fear or anxiety, we pray for peace of mind and spirit. For affected families who are facing dif icult decisions between food on the table or public safety, we pray for policies that recognize their plight. For those who do not have adequate health insurance, we pray that no family will face inancial burdens alone. For those who are afraid to access care due to immigration status, we pray for recognition of the God-given dignity of all. For our brothers and sisters around the world, we pray for shared solidarity. For public of icials and decisionmakers, we pray for wisdom and guidance. Father, during this time may your Church be a sign of hope, comfort and love to all. Grant peace. Grant comfort. Grant healing. Be with us, Lord. Amen.

COVID-19 Prayer of Solidarity

Green palms are needed for the upcoming Holy Week celebration. Please drop off your palms at the back of the church, NO SOONER, than March 26 & 27. These palms will be used on the 28th for Palm Sunday.

SMdP Golf Tournament

Friday, April 23rd Lake Charles Country Club

Triduum & Easter Reservations Required Starting March 1 at 9am and continuing through March 12, reservations will be taken for the upcoming Triduum and Easter services and Masses. If you and your family plan to attend any of the Holy Week or Easter Masses you will need a reservation. Reservations will be taken in person at the parish of ice or at 478-3845.

The SMdP KC’s will be collectingnon-perishablecannedfooddonationsduring Lent to help stock the foodpantriesatCatholicCharities,MannaMinistries and Abraham’s Tent. TheSMdPKC’shavecollectedthousandsofpounds of much needed food torestock pantries from the holidayseasongiving.

Consider organizing a food drive atyourof ice,schoolorevenwithfriendsand family. Let us know howwe canhelp.Wewillgladlypickuplargefooddonations.

ThankYouforYourGenerosity!

“Whoeverhastwotunicsistosharewithhimwhohasnone,andwhoeverhasfoodistodolikewise.”Luke3:10-11

The Season Begins Wednesday, February 17 & Ends Easter Sunday, April 4 During Lent, we are asked to devote ourselves to seeking the Lord in prayer and reading Scripture, to service by giving alms, and to practice self-control through fasting. Many know of the tradition of abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent, but we are also called to practice self-discipline and fast in other ways throughout the season. Contemplate the meaning and origins of the Lenten fasting tradition in this re lection. In addition, the giving of alms is one way to share God's gifts—not only through the distribution of money, but through the sharing of our time and talents. As St. John Chrysostom reminds us: "Not to enable the poor to share in our goods is to steal from them and deprive them of life. The goods we possess are not ours, but theirs." (CatechismoftheCatholicChurch,no.2446). Lenten Activities, Important Dates & Reminders

Rice Bowl - Special Lenten Collection (SetoutFeb.13&14,returnedonbyMarch27&28) CRS Rice Bowl is the Lenten program of Catholic Relief Services, the of icial relief and development agency of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Lenten alms donated through CRS Rice Bowl support the work of CRS in roughly 45 different countries each year. 25% of all donations to CRS Rice Bowl stay in the local diocese, supporting hunger and poverty alleviation efforts.

Lenten Re lection Books -Daily Lenten re lection books for adults available in the narthex baskets 40 Cans for Lent - The SMdP KC’s are collecting cans of food during Lent. Parishioners are asked to you to consider offering one can of food for each day of Lent. Food donations can be dropped off at the church cargo trailer. Adoration/Benediction - Every Friday of Lent 8:30 am - 5 pm Way of the Cross - Every Friday of Lent, following benediction and on Facebook via Video Palm Sunday - March 28

Holy Week - March 29 - April 4 The high point of the entire liturgical year. The Paschal Triduum begins with the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, has its center in the Easter Vigil, and closes on the evening of the Resurrection. Holy Thursday “Mass of the Lord’s Supper” - Thu., April 1, 7 pm Good Friday “Celebration of the Lord’s Passion” - Fri. , April 2, 3 pm Holy Saturday “Vigil Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord” - Sat., April 3, 8 pm Easter Sunday “Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord” - Sun. , April 4, 8 am & 10:30 am

INFORMATION PAGE Church Name: St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church

Bulletin Number: 981756

Publication Date: March 7, 2021

Contact Information: Joe Whitbeck (editor) 337-842-6027

jwhitbeck@smdpcatholic.com

Transmission Date: Tuesday, March 2, 2021

8 Pages, including Cover - 2 ad pages to be added

Software: Publisher Office 365, Adobe Acrobat 2017

Print Quantity: 500 (please no more than 500)