Statement for Triumph of the Cross Cathedral FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT March 1/2, 2008   Jesus cures the man born blind and can certainly cure our blind spots. Who or what do you need to see more clearly?   Gospel Reflection (John 9:1-41 or John 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38): John’s story of the man born blind weaves together the themes of light, sight, and insight. Jesus heals the man so that he can see. However, the Pharisees remain blind because they refuse to see who Jesus really is. They are more concerned about the Sabbath laws than they are about a fellow human being in need.    The blind man gains not only his sight but also insight. When Jesus identifies himself as the Son of Man, a title for the Messiah, the man says, “I do believe, Lord.” And he worships Jesus. As we worship Jesus in the Eucharist, our eyes are opened to see Christ in others. Discussion Points for Gospel: The first verse of the hymn “Amazing Grace” reminds us of this gospel passage. Why? Here are the words: Amazing grace, how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I’m found, Was blind but now I see.    Who are the “truly blind” people in this gospel story? How can you keep from going through life “blind” to the reality of Jesus and his love in your life? How will you stay alert to really see and care for those who need Jesus’ healing touch? (--Sadlier “We Believe” www.webelieve.web.com)     MASSES FOR THE WEEK SATURDAY          5:15 pm     Alice & Bob Mulligan - Mike Mulligan SUNDAY               8:30 am     Bryan Bell - the Schreck family                             10:30 am      Regina Parker (Chuck Hammer's sister) -                                                               - 2003 Pastoral Council                               6:15 pm     People of Our Parish MONDAY            12:15 pm     Tony Udvardy TUESDAY             5:15 pm      Area Homeless WEDNESDAY      12:15 pm     Beulah Udvardy THURSDAY          5:15 pm      Healing & Recovery of Katy Hart FRIDAY               12:15 pm     Sick & Shut-ins of Our Parish SATURDAY          5:15 pm      Cliff Wasko - Joyce & Lon Hamby SUNDAY               8:30 am      Susie Shanmugham - Steve & Ann Hurst  5th Sunday of Lent         10:30 am      Frank Truszka - the Finneartys/Fr. Horak                                           6:15 pm       People of Our Parish         PARISH CALENDAR: March 2 - 9   SUNDAY            Fourth Sunday of Lent                            9:30 am     Rosary                          11:30 am     Prayers for Peace                            3:45 pm     Children's Choir practice                            4:30 pm     R.E. classes                            4:30 pm     1st Communion parent mtg.                            5:15 pm     Reconciliation                            7:00 pm     Knights of Columbus mtg. MONDAY                            7:00 pm     St. Vincent de Paul mtg. TUESDAY                            9:45 am     Why Catholic?                            6:30 pm     R.E. classes                            6:30 pm     1st Communion parent mtg. WEDNESDAY                             7:00 pm     Newman Community meeting THURSDAY                            1:00 pm     "the Needlers" Why Catholic?                            6:30 pm     Habitat Cardboard City plg.                            7:15 pm     R.C.I.A. FRIDAY                            5:00 pm     Fish Fry                            6:00 pm     Stations of the Cross                                                & Benediction                            7:00 pm     Natural Family Plg. session SATURDAY                            4:15 pm     Reconciliation                            5:00 pm     Newman Trans. Prayer serv SUNDAY           Fifth Sunday of Lent                            9:30 am     Rosary                          11:30 am     Prayers for Peace                            3:45 pm     Children' Easter Choir prac.                            4:30 pm     Religious Ed classes                            5:15 pm     Reconciliation
Sunday Scripture Readings      Reflection on the Scriptures has become more and more a part of basic Christian spirituality. At times we would like to return to the Sunday Scriptures at home, but we do not have the missalette with us. At other times we may be interested in seeing just what came before or immediately after the reading for the day to gain more insights.      To encourage this encounter with the Scriptures, we will be including in the bulletin the scripture reading references for the current Sunday and the following Sunday. In addition, in our on-line bulletin we will have the actual links to the readings.	New American Bible Fourth Sunday of Lent 1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a Psalm 23: 1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 Ephesians 5:8-14 John 9:1-41 or 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38 Fifth Sunday of Lent Ezekiel 37:12-14 Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 Romans 8:8-11J ohn 11:1-45 or 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45
QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK Fourth Sunday of Lent      The man in today’s Gospel had to face blindness, opposition from those in authority and the rejection of his own parents. He did not allow those challenges to overwhelm him. As best as he could, he kept making the next decision. Step by step, God led him to deeper life. Adults: How do I live in trust that God is leading me to a goodness I cannot yet see? Children: What can I pray for this week? CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES COLLECTION    This weekend we will have a collection to benefit the Catholic Relief Services. Please give generously to help a hungry child eat, a war-torn nation build peace and a refugee make a new life. Envelopes have been placed at the bulletin boards in church. CHILDREN’S EASTER CHOIR    Practice is 3:45-4:25 pm on Sundays: March 2, 9, 16. (If needed, March 22, at 10:00.) We will be singing for the 10:30 Mass on Easter. Questions, contact Nancy Sand, 592-3410. EASTER FLOWER MEMORIALS    Please send or bring your memorial to the office no later than March 17 for inclusion in the Easter bulletin. Stations of the Cross and Benediction Fridays of Lent at 6:00 pm FISH FRY -- it’s a success!!    The fish frys continue at CTK Friday evenings in Lent from 5-7 in the Parish Center. We’ve been averaging 120-130 people in attendance each Friday!    The menu includes fish, fries, a vegetable, coleslaw and a roll. The cost is $5/plate. Donations accepted. Take out available.    This Friday, March 7, the event will be sponsored by Habitat Faith Build Coalition. Food is catered by the Red Brick Tavern courtesy Dan DeLuca. Stations of the Cross and Benediction Fridays at 6:00 pm LENTEN OPPORTUNITIES    Only 3 weeks until Easter. That means 3 weeks to participate and benefit from one, or more, of the following opportunities: • Daily Mass: the Eucharist is the foundation of our spiritual life. Can you find time to share in the Eucharist one time during the week? Daily Mass is held in the Chapel in the PC Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 12:15; Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:15. • Habitat for Humanity Project: this is our parish almsgiving effort. It is such a worthwhile project--helping people live in decent housing. Have you taken home one of the Lenten folders for this project? Surely a $20 offering is something within the means of nearly every household in the parish. And as we contribute our money, we also have the opportunity to not only pray for the poor but to commit ourselves to working toward a more just and equitable society. • Stations of the Cross: 6:00 pm on Fridays. It is surely an experience that would benefit families. Think about coming at least once for the Stations which are followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Come early and share the fish fry supper (5:00 to 7:00) in the Parish Center. • Make plans to attend the Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday all are part of one grand celebration of the Paschal Mysteries. Please plan to attend all of them. • Pray for our RCIA candidates and catechumens. As they approach their final preparations encourage these men and women who are inspirations for us not only by prayer but by our acts of welcome and kindness. LENTEN COMMUNAL RECONCILIATION SERVICE    On Sunday, March 16th at 3PM we will have a reconciliation service in the CTK Church which will include reflections on the icon “Jesus Christ Holy Forgiveness,” a community “chain of forgiveness” activity, and the opportunity to experience the sacrament of reconciliation.    All community members are also invited to a Lenten Community event from 2-3 PM at the CTK parish center where we will use fire and other physical rituals to deepen our understanding of sin and mercy. LITURGY BITS AND BYTES    The Memorial Acclamation follows the Institution Narrative. It is our turn once again to enter into the dialogue. The presider says, “Let us proclaim the mystery of faith.” There are four possible responses. Usually these are sung. Again, this is one of the most important of the assembly’s parts of the Mass, and so there is a preference that it be sung. Ideally, the presider encourages the sung response by singing the invitation. The sung response is one of the opportunities we have during the liturgy to express and witness to our faith. Copyright © 2008 Resource Publications, San Jose, CA	I was blind and now I see. --John 9:25 Daylight Savings Time begins next week -- turn your clocks ahead -- March 9 BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES March 3 - 9 Birthdays: Luke Bradberry, Mary Page Dalrymple, James Graham, Donna Jeffers, Rodney King, Angel Mack, Mary Ann McClain, John Miller, Valerie Miller, Jona Moberg, Nelda Rapposelli, Sara Sand, Daniel Shapiro, Duane Starkey, and Greg Wasko.   Students: Billy Carrigg and Linda Remaker. Anniversaries: Beth & Mike DiBenedetto (23rd). Prayers for the Sick    Let's be one in hope and prayerful presence to all on our prayer list and continue to pray for Katy Hart and Bill Rader. (Remembered in the petitions) FATHER DON will be in Athens next week. He is celebrating Mass at St. Pauls on March 9th at 9:00, and he will say the 10:30 Mass at CTK. MASS AT HICKORY CREEK    We will be celebrating the Eucharist at Hickory Creek Nursing Home Wednesday, March 12, at 2:00 pm. We expect several residents to attend, and our parishioners are welcome to join us for this Mass. PARISH MEETINGS    The St. Vincent de Paul Society will meet Monday, March 3, 7:00 pm in the CTK Parish Center.    St. Francis Society: We will celebrate First Friday Mass at St. Paul’s Church on March 7 at 12:00 noon followed by a soup luncheon. A Master Gardener from the Extension Office will speak about gardening for seniors.    Catholic Ladies of Columbia: The next meeting will be Monday, March 10, 6:30 pm in the CTK Parish Center. PRAYER/MEDITATION BOOKLETS    The Living Faith booklets are available at the bulletin boards in church. The months of January, February and March are included in this issue.    We also have available the March issue of Living with Christ. These particular booklets are very well done. Each issue is $2.00, or you can purchase a yearly subscription for $15.00; contact the office for more information. SACRED HEART RETREAT HOUSE    “What is Levi’s Whole Story?” is the theme for our Senior Citizen Day of Reflection at Sacred Heart Retreat House on Election Day, March 4 from 10:00 till 2:00. A Mass will be included as part of the day’s schedule. All are welcome. Call 740-667-0100 to register.    Catechist classes (Class Planning and Catechetical Ministry) will be offered at Sacred Heart Retreat House from 9:00 till 1:30 on Saturday, March 15. Catechists are encouraged to register by calling 740-667-0100.    St. Patrick’s Dinner with corned beef and cabbage, potatoes and carrots, key lime pie will be on the menu for the monthly dinner at Sacred Heart Retreat House on Saturday, March 15, beginning at 7:00. Please call 740-667-0100 to make your reservation. NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING    The next Natural Family Planning Course Series begins this Friday. Come learn about the gift of your fertility. NFP can be used effectively by those with irregular as well as regular cycles. The three part class series begins March 7th, 7-9:30 p.m. at Christ the King Univ. Parish Center. To reserve your spot contact Bob and Sharon Colvin (740) 593-5713 or colvin.sl@gmail.com 27th ANNUAL IRISH GATHERING - Sunday, March 9, 12:30-4:30 pm in Marietta. Plan to join the fun and the feast by making your reservations: please call the Lafayette Hotel at (740) 373-5522 or (800) 331-9336. Reservations are required. Tickets may be purchased in Athens from Chip Rogers, (740) 593-7405 or rogersc@ohio.edu. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children 10 - years of age and younger.