Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church

This weekend we are past the halfway mark in our journey toward Easter. The rose vestments worn by the celebrant and deacon are meant to signify this achievement, but at the same time, remind us if we have not fully participated in our Lenten journey, there is still time.

There is a frightening amount of darkness in the world today. But the Gospel of today’s Mass contains the wonderful words of Christ, “I am the light of the world.” Christ indeed is the light of the world and of our lives. We can be a reflection of the light of Christ as we give witness to those around us by illuminating their life with the gift of light that Christ has given us. Let our rose vestments enable us to sing rejoice! Rejoice!

Please join this powerhouse of prayer to the Lord. We need additional members in the early hours of the afternoon.

Our Lenten Program
One Light, One Journey, One Human Family
For 34 years, Operation Rice Bowl has helped to feed the hungry poor. Through our participation in this program, we bring hope and healing to another person or family living halfway across the globe, strengthen and enriching persons’ lives, both physically and spiritually, and greatly enhancing your parish community’s Lenten faith experience. This Lent, gather in prayer and sacrifice as a family to pray and to care for the hungry poor.

FAMILY MASS
WITH ALL THE STUDENTS of our Religious Education Program will take place on Sunday, March 9, 2008 at the 10:30 a.m. Liturgy. The children will present their Lenten Donations at this Mass. We are expecting all the children and their parents to come and worship together as a family. Please make this Lenten Sunday a day of prayer, unity and sharing with those who are less fortunate.

The Catholic Relief Services Collection –
Supports emergency relief, human development, and peace initiatives in 99 countries around the world, where nearly half the population lives on less than $2.00 a day.
The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) –
Works to uphold the dignity of human life by breaking the cycle of poverty across the United States through grants to local community-based groups who create jobs, improve education, and strengthen neighborhoods.
The Church in Central and Eastern Europe –
Raises funds to address the spiritual reconstruction of this traumatized region-training seminarians and lay leaders, reaching out to young people, reviving Catholic Charities, and renewing programs of catechesis and communication.
Holy Land Collection – assists the Franciscan Fathers and the Latin Patriarch in their ministry to pilgrims, in the maintenance of the Holy Places, and in their pastoral ministry to native Christians in the Holy Land.

This combined collection offers an excellent opportunity to support hands-on efforts towards helping people in need. Your gift does make a difference.

COLLECTIONS
Sunday, February 24, 2008
$3,603.25
Monthly Feb $1,413.80 Energy Feb $1028.00
This weekend is the monthly collection for March.
Also the Combined Collection for World Charities

NOTE THESE 2008 DATES
Palm Sunday, - March 16, 2008
Holy Thursday – March 20th
Good Friday- March 21st
Holy Saturday – March 22nd
Solemnity of Easter – March 23, 2008
Easter Supper – March 30, 2008
First Holy Communion – April 27th

Are you interested in becoming a Lay Minister at OLPH? We are currently looking for additional Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and Lectors, especially for 8 a.m. Mass on weekends. As a result of normal attrition, 2007 saw a decline in the active list of ministers. If you or someone you know might be interested, please telephone Father Whittel at 443-1875. This is a wonderful way to serve Our Lord and OLPH parish.

Outside the Parish
The Sisters of Charity of Our Lady Mother of the Church invite High School girls to our “Come and See” weekend from 4:00 p.m. Friday, March 7 through 3:00 p.m. Sunday, March 9 at Holy Family Motherhouse in Baltic, CT. This weekend includes sharing, working and praying with the Novitiate Sisters. Respond or contact for more information to: Sister Mary Jacinta – telephone (860) 822-8241 or e-mail: TJTMVOCSCMC@ juno.com.

Announced Masses

Fourth Sunday of Lent                              March 2, 2008
5:00 P.M. Intention of Sr. Michelle
(Ray & Jane Kleczynski)
                  Mary Lyden (Eva & Barbara Parzych)
                  Robert Cope, Sr. & Robert Cope, Jr.
                                       (Family)
8:00 A.M. Walter & Helen Sokol and
                   Edward Sokol (Carol & Sr. Michelle)
10:30 A.M. Robert Renehan   (Family)

Monday, March 3rd      Lenten Weekday
Tuesday, March 4th   Lenten Weekday
7:30 A.M. Eileen Whittel (Family)
Wednesday, March 5th    Lenten Weekday
7:30 A.M. Milly Ribaudo (Sister, Anne Carboni)
Thursday, March 6th Lenten Weekday
7:30 A.M. Parishioners of OLPH
Friday, March 7th Lenten Weekday
7:30 A.M. Bishop Daniel Hart
6:30 P.M. Stations of the Cross