ST. MARY’S PARISH FAMILY

343 Tarkiln Hill Rd., New Bedford, MA 02745

PARISH OFFICE & MAILING ADDRESS 106 Illinois Street, New Bedford, MA 02745

Telephone 508-995-3593 Fax 508-995-2453

Email stmarysnb@stmarynb.com

OFFICE HOURS Monday - Friday 9:00AM-3:30PM

Closed on Holidays

FAITH FORMATION

Phone ……………………...…..…….…..508-995-3593 Email……..davidbeaulieu@stmarysnb.com

LITURGY & WORSHIP Monday-Tuesday, Thursday-Friday…...….....8:00AM

Saturday Vigil……………………….………….……….….…...4:00 PM Sunday…………….…………………….…...8:30,10:30 & 7:00PM

Confession: Saturday…………..……...3:00-3:45 PM

Adoration: First Friday of the Month after the

8:00AM Mass and ending with benediction at

1:00PM

PARISH STAFF Very Rev. Daniel W. Lacroix, V.F. Pastor Mrs. Peggy Lenihan Parish Secretary Mr. David Beaulieu Director of Faith Formation Mrs. Barbara Bonville Director of Parish Ministries Mr. Thomas Leman Catechetical Assistant Mrs. Suzanne Beaulieu RCIA Coordinator Mrs. Patricia Ferreira Music Director Mr. Martin Flinn Building & Grounds

The Church is Handicap accessible.

ST. VINCENT De PAUL SOCIETY

Phone…….508-995-3593 Ext 6

Web Site stmarysnb.com

Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if

it dies, it produces much fruit.” - Jn 12:24 Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass ©2001, 1998, 1970 CCD

Fifth Sunday in Lent

Your prayers are requested for the repose of the souls in this week’s Mass intention; for the souls

in Purgatory; and for the deceased of our parish.

Weekend Mass Intentions Saturday Mar 17 4:00 PM Helen McIntyre & William Reilly by family Sunday Mar 18 8:30 AM Fr. Richard Beaulieu & Vivian Johns by family 10:30 AM Community Mass: Francisco Pereira, Manuel Medeiros, Grace, Tony & Peter Colangelo, Diarmuid Griffin 7:00 PM For Parishioners of St. Mary

Weekday Mass Intentions Monday Mar 19 12:00 PM Celeste dos Santos by husband, daughters & grandchildren

Tuesday Mar 20 12:00 PM Mildred Bralewski by Rita Raymond Wednesday Mar 21 12:00 PM For Parishioners of St. Mary Thursday Mar 22 12:00 PM Roger Root by Shirley Bergeron Friday Mar 23 12:00 PM Walter Kuczewski by sister

Next Weekend Saturday Mar 24 4:00 PM Joseph Janik, Jr. by sister, Joyce & brother, Phillip (16th ann.) Sunday Mar 25 8:30 AM Norman Gauvin by wife & family (10th anniversary) 10:30 AM Community Mass: Joao Gaspar, John Thayer, William Butler, Sr. 7:00 PM Fr. Bob Canuel

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM: Congratulations on the birth of your child! The church celebrates with you and is ready to prepare you if this is your FIRST child being baptized at our Parish. A welcoming instruction for parents and god-parents is usually held the second Sunday of the Month after the 10:30AM Mass. Baptisms are usually celebrated the fourth Sunday of the month at the 10:30AM Mass. Please call the Parish office to schedule this sacrament.

INITIATION OF ADULTS: Adults expressing an interest in becoming Catholic are invited to search through our RCIA formation process. For more information, please call the Parish Office.

FAITH FORMATION: Grades 1-9. First Eucharist is a two year program, grades 1 and 2. Confirmation is a two year program, grades 8 & 9.

SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE: Congratulations on your engagement! Please speak to Fr. Dan at least one year in advance of the intended date to allow adequate time for Parish and Diocesan Marriage preparation.

FOR OUR HOME-BOUND: Contact the Parish Office to receive Holy Communion at home if you are confined. THE SACRAMENT OF THE SICK: May be received after any weekday Mass or by appointment.

Saint Mary's Parish Family, composed of those who have accepted the invitation to follow

Our Lord Jesus Christ, is a Roman Catholic faith-filled community.

The faithful members of this Eucharistic Community,

in union with the Universal Church, admit to a genuine responsibility to

welcome, evangelize, witness and serve others in Christ's name.

We place ourselves under the protection of

our Blessed Mother as we seek to imitate her son.

Parish Financial

THANK YOU to all who share their talent, time, presence, and support with our

Parish.

March 11th Collection $5014.

Next weekend’s second collection is for the Diocesan Assessment

Annual Appeal to date $31,560. Thank you for your

faithful stewardship!!

REMEMBRANCE BOOK

Is located near the doors closest to the Taber-nacle. This prayer book has been compiled to provide people with the opportunity to entrust their loved ones to God’s all embracing love. Bulletin Deadline Monday, 12:00 Noon

March 18, 2018

STEWARDSHIP THOUGHT Fifth Sunday in Lent “If anyone would serve me,” says Jesus in

today’s Gospel, “let him follow me; where I am, there will my servant be.” In what way

is Jesus inviting me to follow Him? What

service is He asking of me? See John 12:26 (Our Sunday Visitor, ibid., page 17).

14-day Memorial Candles:

In Memory of Roger Grenon by wife, Jeannette & family

In Memory of Izaura “Hazel” Correia by hus-band & family (6th anniversary)

Icon Candle:

In Memory of Celeste dos Santos by husband, daughters & grandchildren

Hosts for March:

In Memory of Edward & Annie Fernandes by Susan & David Whitney

There are Sunday, 7:00PM Masses and 1 week Icon candles still available for 2018.

If interested please call the parish office.

*Altar Servers and Lectors* Needed for HOLY THURSDAY, GOOD

FRIDAY AND EASTER VIGIL

The sign up sheets are located in the

priest’s sacristy. Please sign up as soon as possible. Thank you.

HVAC UPDATE As you are aware, on December 31st, the two-air handler heating coils froze and ruptured. They have been repaired and we contracted Advance Air to examine the cause and perform needed maintenance on the system. They determined that the master controls and safety equipment failed. The controls are original and parts are no longer available. We need to replace the controls which will cost $38,000 and then deal with the replacement of the church air conditioner evapo-rator and coils, which are also original equipment and whose coils have leaks and the compressors failed. That cost is to be determined when we go out to bid. The primary circulator for the boiler has also failed and must be replaced, $13,000. I was hoping that the controls and repairs would be covered by our boiler insurance; the insurance does not cover freeze ups or antiquated equip-ment. We should have sufficient funds on hand for the HVAC repair, but your generous support of the building fund is most sincerely appreciated.

BISHOP ATTENDING LAY LISTENING SESSIONS THROUGHOUT DIOCESE Come and share your hopes and dreams for

our Church! Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha,

S.D.V., is hosting a series of Listening Sessions

at different parish locations as part of the stra-

tegic planning process here in the Fall River

Diocese. Members of diocesan parishes are in-

vited to attend one of them to offer their

thoughts into that process. Listening Sessions

are scheduled as follows: April 12, St. Mary

Cathedral; ; April 20, St. Julie Billiart Parish,

Dartmouth; All sessions will take place from

6:30 to 8 p.m.

Holy Week— It is a time of to celebrate the events of Christ’s life from the Last Supper through his death

to the Resurrection. This is a special time of grace for each of us and our parish faith community. It is my fer-vent hope that you will be able to attend the ceremonies of Holy Week. The schedule is:

Palm Sunday – March 25, usual weekend mass schedule and Palms will be distributed at all masses.

Wednesday—7:00PM Tenebrae

Holy Thursday – March 29, Mass of the Lord's Supper at 7: 00 PM with adoration in the Memorial Chapel until 11PM.

Good Friday – March 30, Veneration of the Cross at 3:00 PM

Easter Vigil – March 31, will begin at 7:30 PM with the blessing of the New Fire.

Easter Sunday – April 1, we will have our regular Mass schedule at 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM and 7:00 PM.

Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors schedule for April, May & June is available in the sacristy, on-line on our parish website and on the parish APP.

Diocese of Fall River CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD

(CLOW): This ministry involves participants to

share the Word of God with children pre-school

through Grade 3. Children are blessed during a

Sunday morning Mass and are sent forth with

adult leaders to the Memorial Chapel. Using ap-

proved texts that follow the same readings that

adults share on each Sunday, the children listen

and respond to the Word of God. They listen to an

age-appropriate homily by one of the adult team

members. They join the assembly for the Liturgy

of the Eucharist. We are looking to form a team of

Adults to lead our young people. If you are willing

to help in this ministry, please contact Fr. Dan at

the office or email at RevDLacroix@aol.com.

Faith Formation “Let the children come to me…” Luke 16:18

Next Sunday, March 25th will be our last class for ALL Faith Formation students. Classes will meet at their regularly scheduled periods. Once, again, next Sunday is also Palm Sun-day and we ask that any and all chil-

dren meet in the Memorial Chapel to receive their Palms and join Fr. Dan and the rest of the congregation in the procession. At the conclu-sion of the procession, the children will return and sit with their families.

Dates to Remember: 4/28 - 1st Communion Retreat/Rehearsal 9AM- 11 AM 4/29 - 2PM Confirmation Rehearsal at St. Francis, Acushnet. Candidates and SPON-SORS must attend .

All Saints Ca†holic School

Come and see the educational opportunities available, from

Preschool (age 3) through Grade 8 at All Saints Catholic School.

Now accepting registrations for 2018 – 2019. Small classes, engage

learning, Catholic faith and values!

Visit us today at www.ascsnb.org and share the Good News of Catholic education with your family and

friends!

Youth and Youth Education

PRO-LIFE BOOT CAMP

What is the meaning of life? If you are entering or current-ly in high school, then we can help you find the answer. At Pro Life Boot Camp, we discuss important matters in our Catholic faith that many young people question today. During the weekend, we play games, travel throughout the community, and have group discussions with other young people interested in life and the Catholic faith’s view of the world. This camp runs from Thursday July 19 to Saturday July 22 at Stonehill College. If you are inter-ested in attending, please contact Sarah Hamel and/or

Carina Borges at sthamel4@gmail.com or 774-400-

6895.Thank you and we hope to see you there!

ASCS Funny4Fund$ Comedy Night! Friday, April 6th at New Bedford Sports Club. Don’t miss out on this adult night out with great food, friends and lots of laughs - all to support ASCS! Buffet included, cash bar available, raffles and 50/50 drawing. Doors open at 6 pm, Dinner at 6:30 pm, Show at 7:30 pm. Tickets $30 each. For tick-ets, to donate or to sponsor contact Bob

DaSilva - rhdasilva@comcast.net - 508-878-2370 .

“I have called you by name" Isaiah 43:1. Is God missing in your life? Are you or someone you know interest-ed in becoming Catholic? Pamphlets explaining the

Rite of Christian Initiation process are available at each entrance of the church. New class will begin in September. Please call the Parish Office if interested.

The Foundation to Advance Catholic Education (FACE)

and Diocese of Fall River Catholic Schools are excited to

announce The Catholic School’s Hope and Opportunity

Initiative. This Initiative will provide 100 scholarships

for up to $2000 per student for the 2018-19 school year

to new low-income K-8 students in Fall River, Taunton,

and the Greater New Bedford Area Catholic Schools. If

you, or someone you know, wants to send their child to a

Catholic School please contact Sarah Heaton at (508)678

-2828 or sheaton@CatholicSA.org.

“SERVICE IS THE PRICE WE

PAY FOR BEARING THE

NAME CHRISTIAN”

MASS CANCELLATION POLICY

When the New Bedford school department

cancels classes due to storm conditions, daily

Mass will also be canceled along with any and all

parish events The Parish Office will also be

closed. This will permit time to address the

campus conditions and reduce any hazards

incurred on the roads. Saturday Vigil and Sunday

Masses are never canceled as they are Masses of

obligation; daily Masses are devotional and no

meetings are more important than safety. For cancellations of Faith Formation Classes and other cancellations in the parish, please check the website.

SAFETY FIRST

At each of the entrances at St. Mary’s, there are con-tainers of ‘ice melt’. The walks will be treated on a reg-ular basis, but should ice form, please feel free to use a light sprinkling of the skin safe product provided.

+LENT 2018+

DAILY MASS DURING LENT is at 12NOON.

There is no 8:00AM Mass during Lent.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS AND BENEDICTION

Will be celebrated on Friday, March 23 at 7PM. Spend some time reflecting on the mystery of His death and res-urrection, as we journey from Calvary to Easter. The Sta-tions will be a guided reflection in the context of Adoration and ending with Benediction.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Friday’s of Lent 6:30-6:55PM before Stations of the Cross and Saturday’s 3:00-3:45PM.

LENTEN ALMS GIVING We will be in partnership with the St. Vincent de Paul Society's New Bedford Conferences that alms giving during Lent be dedicated to rental assis-tance for our Deanery. At the end of Lent, the monies collected on Holy Thursday, during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, will be given to the New Bedford SVDP Conference.

Spiritual Life Team Agape Meal Work Crews Arrival and Work Times

Setup Crew should arrive on Saturday Mar. 24th

between 1 and 1:30 Saturday March 24th. We’ll set-

up the hall and then you can go home if you wish

and then come back for dinner or you could stay.

Cleanup Crew come for the dinner, doors open at 6

pm Saturday Mar. 24th. At the beginning of the

meal you will pick up the used soup bowls. At the

end of the meal and the play we’ll cleanup the hall

and put away the tables and chairs.

Servers should plan on arriving about 5:30 pm on

Mar. 24th to set up the food stations.

Actors will meet on Sunday Mar. 18th after the

10:30 Mass in the school gym for a reading and a

walk through. (Note: change of location.) We will

also meet at the school gym on Saturday March

24th at 1 pm for a dress rehearsal. The evening of

the 24th please arrive at the school by 5:30 pm.

Kitchen Crew, those of you who can come to the

school gym on Friday night Mar. 23rd, please arrive

around 6 pm. On Saturday Mar. 24th. , please arrive

at the school at 2 pm. Thank you for all your help

and service. Any questions email Barb at

bbonville@stmarysnb.com.

~PARISH RETREAT~

Fr. Jack Butler, SJ, Vice President of Boston College Division of University Mission and Ministry will lead a three day retreat here at St. Mary’s, March 19, 20, 21 at 12 noon and 7PM. Confessions will be heard 30

minutes before each mass each day.

AGAPE MEAL/DINNER THEATER

Palm Sunday Vigil, Saturday, March 24th 6PM in school gym. 150 seating maximum. Admission is a tick-et and a non-perishable food item. Remembering that first Holy Week, Jerusalem, 33AD, and experience the

loss and hope of the Death of the Lord.

~PARISH RETREAT~

THE LONG RETREAT: 30 DAYS IN 3

Ignatian Prayer & Companioning with Jesus

Fr. Jack Butler, SJ, Vice President of Bos-ton College Division of University Mission and Ministry will lead a three day retreat here at St. Mary’s, March 19, 20, 21 at 12 noon and 7PM. Confessions will be heard 30 minutes before each mass each day.