2 APRIL 2017

2017 Lenten Message, Pope Francis, (Part 2)

Dear Brothers and Sisters of Our Lady of Lourdes,

In this 2017 Lenten Message, Pope Francis teaches us in a 3-part reflection on the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31).

Pope Francis writes: Lent is a new beginning, a path leading to the certain goal of Easter, Christ’s victory over death. This season urgently calls us to conversion. Christians are asked to return to God "with all their hearts” (Joel 2:12), to refuse to settle for mediocrity and to grow in friendship with the Lord. Jesus is the faithful friend who never abandons us. Even when we sin, he patiently awaits our return; by that patient expectation, he shows us his readiness to forgive (cf. Homily, 8 January 2016).

Lent is a favorable season for deepening our spiritual life through the means of sanctification offered us by the Church: fasting, prayer and almsgiving. At the basis of everything is the word of God, which during this season we are invited to hear and ponder more deeply. I would now like to consider the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (cf. Lk 16:19-31). Let us find inspiration in this meaningful story, for it provides a key to understanding what we need to do in order to attain true happiness and eternal life. It exhorts us to sincere conversion.

Part 2 of Pope Francis on the Rich Man and Lazarus: “Sin blinds us”

The parable is unsparing in its description of the contra-dictions associated with the rich man (cf. v. 19). Unlike poor Lazarus, he does not have a name; he is simply called "a rich man”. His opulence was seen in his extrav-agant and expensive robes. Purple cloth was even more precious than silver and gold, and was thus reserved to divinities (cf. Jer 10:9) and kings (cf. Jg 8:26), while fine linen gave one an almost sacred character. The man was clearly ostentatious about his wealth, and in the habit of displaying it daily: "He feasted sumptuously every day” (v. 19). In him we can catch a dramatic glimpse of the corruption of sin, which progresses in three succes-sive stages: love of money, vanity and pride (cf. Homily, 20 September 2013).

The Apostle Paul tells us that "the love of money is the root of all evils” (1 Tim 6:10). It is the main cause of corruption and a source of envy, strife and suspicion. Money can come to dominate us, even to the point of becoming a tyrannical idol (cf. Evangelii Gaudium, 55). Instead of being an instrument at our service for doing

good and showing solidarity towards others, money can chain us and the entire world to a selfish logic that leaves no room for love and hinders peace.

The parable then shows that the rich man’s greed makes him vain. His personality finds expression in appearances, in showing others what he can do. But his appearance masks an interior emptiness. His life is a prisoner to outward appearances, to the most superficial and fleeting aspects of existence (cf. ibid., 62).

The lowest rung of this moral degradation is pride. The rich man dresses like a king and acts like a god, forgetting that he is merely mortal. For those cor-rupted by love of riches, nothing exists beyond their own ego. Those around them do not come into their line of sight. The result of attachment to money is a sort of blindness. The rich man does not see the poor man who is starving, hurting, lying at his door.

Looking at this character, we can understand why the Gospel so bluntly condemns the love of money: "No one can be the slave of two masters: he will either hate the first and love the second, or be attached to the first and despise the second. You cannot be the slave both of God and of money” (Mt 6:24). (Pope Francis, 2017 Lenten Message)

I hope and pray that Lent 2017 would also be a new beginning for all of us as we consider the way in which we rely on God’s grace and vision to see the goodness in ourselves and our own free will in the use of our goods and talents in love of God and love of neighbor.

In Christ’s Peace, Father Jim Ferry

For Your Stewardship of Time, Talent and Treasure

FISCAL YEAR STARTING JULY 2016

WEEKLY GOAL: $ 6800 Collection March 18-19* $ 5149 Deficit: $ 1651

* Includes Online Giving Weekly Average Deposit

WE ARE A STEWARDSHIP PARISH

SHARING TIME, TALENT AND TREASURE Welcome! Every member needs to be registered in the Parish

and become active in the life of Our Lady of Lourdes.

When moving, please notify the Parish at 973.325.0110 or ollwonj@verizon.net

Electronic giving has arrived. If you wish to enroll, a link to

Parish Pay is available on our website: www.lourdeswestorange.org

PRAY FOR THE SICK Sean Bailey, Suzane Ball,

Brendan Byrne, Gina Cammarata,

Darlene Cangialosi, Teresa Carbin, Michael Chiaramonte, Josephine Ciullo,

Tom Collinson, Jeannie Cox, Peggy Dolan, George Fania, Pierre Ferrus,

Helen Filan, Anna Frazzano, Catherine Gascoyne,

Judy Givas, Michael Harris, Marissa and Richard Hedstrom,

Jovann Henry, Yann Henry, Prepty Joint, Evelyn Judge, Tim Klein,

Stan Krenkowitz, Pio Nestor Liendo, Caitlin Maloney,

Leonard Margo a, Marion McConville, Stephanie Montano,

Noreen Meyers, Liam Morley, Florence Olabiyi,

William Ollenschleger, Thomas P. O’Neill, O lia Ortega, Idelourdes Pe on, Patrick Pierre, Mark Quarno, Thelma Ramaglia,

Margaret Rella, Mary Lou Ruppel, Vincent Santucci, Jr., Heather Scoffone,

Patricia Seib, Natalie Sims, Jimmy Tiernan, Robin Toplin, Ann Whelan.

If you wish to have a loved one prayed for, please call the rectory at 973.325.0110.

MASSES FOR THE WEEK SATURDAY 1 APRIL 8:30 am - William (Bud) Moore, III 5:30 pm - Patricia Degnan-Regan 7:00 pm - (Spanish) Gente de la Parroquia– People of Parish SUNDAY 2 APRIL 7:30 am - People of the Parish 9:30 am - Remigio & Luisa Buono 11:30 am - Gail Nielsen (14th Ann) MONDAY 3 APRIL 8:30 am - Mary Roth TUESDAY 4 APRIL 8:30 am - Joel Rendor

WEDNESDAY 5 APRIL 8:30 am - Alyssa Flaherty THURSDAY 6 APRIL 8:30 am - Margaret McDermo

FRIDAY 7 APRIL 8:30 am - Maurice Ferrus

SATURDAY 8 APRIL 8:30 am - Marjorie Corvino (5th Ann) 5:30 pm - Dr. Anthony Oropollo & Pavone Family 7:00 pm - (Spanish) Gente de la Parroquia– People of Parish

SUNDAY 9 APRIL 7:30 am - People of the Parish 9:30 am - Deceased Pflug & Napolitano Families 11:30 am - Sean Cassels

THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR OF EVENTS SUNDAY 2 APRIL PALM CROSSES SOLD 9:00 am - RAS recita on of Rosary—First Sunday 9:30 am - Mass—Bap sm 10:30 am - Children’s Choir MONDAY 3 APRIL 1:00 pm - Rosary Altar Society Mee ng– Connor Hall 5:30—7:30 pm Family Catechesis—Connor Hall 7:00—8:30 pm M/HS Rel. Ed—Chapel/School TUESDAY 4 APRIL 7:15 pm - Bingo - Cafeteria WEDNESDAY 5 APRIL 6:00 pm Adult Choir THURSDAY 6 APRIL 8:30 am - Mass Lenten Retreat w/ Sr. Sandy—Chapel 10:00 am Deadline - News, Announcements For April 16th Bulle n email: lourdesbulle n@aol.com 7:30 pm - Parish Council Mee ng—Connor Hall FRIDAY 7 APRIL 6:00—10:00 PM - 1st Friday Eucharis c Adora on—Church

SATURDAY 8 APRIL— 3:00 pm—5:00 pm Communion Retreat Workshop– Connor Hall

SUNDAY 9 APRIL — 10:30 am - Children’s Choir

LITURGICAL MINISTERS—SUNDAY 9 APRIL—PALM SUNDAY

Mass Lector Eucharis c Ministers Altar Servers

7:30 am Bless Bernardo Howard Casey

Mary Ellen Chandler Hermie Santos Sr. James Soon

Rosalinda Saniel Lisa Westheimer

9:30 am

Carmelita Dizon JoAnn Melhorn

Ann Pflug John Pflug Myrna Regino Frank Volpe

Natalie Heurtelou Maire Murphy Seamus Murphy

11:30 am

Choir

Paulyn Camosy Wendy Sheyka Maxine Nzegwu

Paul Hirsch Nancy Lanfrank Wendy Sheyka

Faith Nzegwu Maxine Nzegwu Amir Stewart

11:30 am Children’s Liturgy of the Word

Rachelle Brown

10:30 am RCIA

Sacred Heart Room

Nancy Lanfrank Bill Talbot

5:30 pm

Joe Riopel Pat Sigalas

Judith Albore Frank Refinski Eileen Reilly

Anika Fernandes Jennifer Fernandes Briana Sampson

This week’s Altar Candles, a gi of Cindy Vitkovsky, is in memory of MARJORIE CORVINO (5TH ANN)

THEROSARYALTARSOCIETYissellingShopRiteGiftCardstobeusedasCASHtobene itOurLadyofLourdesChurch.GiftcardswillbeavailablebeforeandafterallMassesonApril22&April23rdorbycallingtheRectoryat973.325.0110,Monday-Friday,9:00am—2:00pm.Thankyouforsupport. CarolFord,President

PALM CROSSES

WILL BE ON SALE THE WEEKEND OF APRIL 1/2

LENTEN MORNINGS OF REFLECTION with Sister Sandy DeMasi, SSJ

April 6

Immediately following the 8:30 am Mass in the Chapel Hospitality a er Mass

APRIL 14th— Good Friday 7:00 pm

Donations Needed: New or Used Communion Dresses

and Suits The Archdiocese of Newark’s Office of Development and Stewardship is organizing their Annual collec on of gently used, in good condi on, Communion dresses/veils, suits and shoes for the inner city parishes. The Religious Sisters at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart will

be distribu ng them to the families in need, and any parishioner in need of one for their child.

Our Lady of the Lake, Lakeside Avenue, Verona has offered to be a drop off location for Communion outfits.

Father Joe D’Amico has offered to bring them to the Archdiocesan Center.

Are you a Graduate of Bishop George Ahr/

St. Thomas High School? Edison, NJ

In an cipa on of its 50th Anniversary in September 2019, the school is looking to reconnect with all of its alumni to help celebrate this upcoming milestone. Please reach the alumni office at 732-549-1108 x 605 or, dchippendale@bgahs.org with your latest contact informa on so they can keep you updated on the planned events.

“In your Easter bonnet with all the frills upon it” are some of the lyrics to a very popular song which reflects the joys of the Easter season. Some people, however, have difficulty experiencing these joys due to their circumstances in life. Catholic Charities aims to

help relieve the suffering of many in our society through its various programs. Please help Catholic Charities continue its mission by

donating your unwanted clothing to the bin located on our property. May the spirit of the Risen Christ resound through your generosity.

Thank you.

In your Easter bonnet

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION 1ST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH

APRIL 7, 2017

6—10 PM IN CHURCH

ROSARY ALTAR SOCIETY will hold its monthly Mee ng on Monday, April 3, 2017 at 1:00 pm in Connor Hall. ALL ARE INVITED TO ATTEND. Carol Ford, President

DIVINE MERCY CELEBRATION SUNDAY, APRIL 23, 2017

ST. PHILOMENA CHURCH, LIVINGSTON

The Rev. Augus ne Torres, CFR will be the Principal Celebrant and Homilist at the Divine Mercy Celebra on on April 23rd at

St. Philomena Church, 386 South Livingston Avenue, Livingston. The Divine Mercy Celebra on will begin with confessions at

1:25 pm followed by Mass at 2:00 pm. A er Mass there will be Adora on of the Blessed Sacrament, the chan ng of the Divine

Mercy Caplet, and Venera on of a First Class Relic of St. Faus na and the Image of the Divine Mercy. ALL ARE WELCOME!