Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church

This Sunday is the Fifth Sunday of Lent and our Lenten journey is drawing to a close. Our gospel reading gives us a wonderful example of faith in Our Lord. The story of Lazarus and his sisters Martha and Mary and their journey to faith will enable us to realize the new life Jesus gives us is not just hope but a faith filled reality. The key words in this story are “I am the resurrection and the life.”

We must plan now for our celebration of the “Triduum” which begins on Holy Thursday evening and concludes on Easter. These days are our most solemn times during the year. To celebrate the days properly we must clear our calendars of unnecessary activities so that we can concentrate on the events of the “Triduum.”

The “Triduum” means three days in Latin. We celebrate the three days as one. On Holy Thursday evening at Mass we begin our celebration. There is no closing blessing. We re-start our celebration of Good Friday without a greeting or a final closing. We end our “day” on Holy Saturday evening with the beautiful ceremonies of the new fire, the singing of the Exsultet (Easter Proclamation), the reading of scripture and finally the Mass of Resurrection. It is only then that we close the day.

Let us prepare now to celebrate the Triduum as a community of families on March 20th through the 22nd. We celebrate the “Day” with the Lord.

Adult Education class will resume Monday, March 10, 2008
At 6:30 P.M.
Topic: Gospel of Matthew

The Masses this Sunday are on Daylight Saving Time.

Remember to turn your clocks ahead on Saturday night, March 8th, 2008

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 COMBINED COLLECTION FOR WORLD CHARITIES
Last weekend the Combined Collection for World Charities supporting the Catholic Relief Service Collection, the Campaign for Human Development, Aid to the Church in Central and Eastern Europe, and assistance for the Holy Land was taken up.
If you were unable to bring your gift envelope, extra envelopes are available in the back of the Church. Your support of these needs of the Universal Church is greatly appreciated. Your envelope can be dropped in the collection basket or mailed to the Rectory.

COLLECTIONS
Sunday, March 2, 2008
$4,174.50
Monthly March $1,248.65 Energy March $10.00

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.

See Posters on Bulletin Board regarding the following:
*Palm Sunday Concert “Songs of the Cross” – Sunday, March 16, 7:30 PM at Cathedral of St. Patrick, Norwich with Norwich Diocesan Choir.
*Saint Bernard School – Spring Make-up Entrance Exam – March 15th, 8:30-Noon - $20 testing fee.

Outside the Parish
Spring Polka Dance to Benefit St. Joseph School in Norwich will be held Saturday, April 19th at Moose Hall in Bozrah. Doors open at 4 p.m. Polish dinner buffet with homemade desserts and coffee from 4:30 till 10 p.m. Dancing to Dennis Polisky & Maestro’s Men. $25.00 per person. For info and tickets call Terry at 908-0774.

Adult Faith Formation Program
at ImmaculataRetreat Center
Twice per year (Spring and Fall) Immaculata will be featuring Adult Faith Formation classes conducted on 6 successive Tuesdays by Fr. Gene Tremblay OMI, S.T.L. The Spring session will begin after Easter (March 25, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29). This inaugural 6 week session will examine Christian Morality and Social Responsibility.
Format: “Soup and Substance” – arrive anytime after 6:00 p.m. and enjoy a repast of hearty soups and breads in the Dining Hall. Class will follow in a Conference Hall from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
For more detailed information as to content and cost, visit our website www.immaculataretreat.org (click: Our Programs-Faith Education) or call (860) 423-8484.

Announced Masses

Fifth Sunday of Lent March 9, 2008
5:00 P.M Paul Shedlack (Sandra Couillard)
Nancy Bonanno (Sterling Bonanno)
8:00 A.M. Thomas Gannon
(Deacon Ron & Donna Kitlinski)
10:30 A.M. Joseph & Eleanor Sudol (Family)

Monday, March 10th       Lenten Weekday
7:30 A.M. Parishioners of OLPH
Tuesday, March 11th   Lenten Weekday
Wednesday, March 12th    Lenten Weekday
7:30 A.M. Edward Sokol   (Carol & Sr. Michelle)
Thursday, March 13th Lenten Weekday
7:30 A.M. Intention of Sister Michelle
                                         (Barbara & Eva Parzych)
Friday, March 14th Lenten Weekday
6:30 P.M. Stations of the Cross

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion                   March 16, 2008
5:00 P.M Concetta Pongetti
                                (Deacon Ron & Donna Kitlinski)
          Wedding Anniversary of Helen & Don Kaminski
8:00 A.M. Lasky & Muscarella Families
                                 (Anna Muscarella)
10:30 A.M. Ignacy Parzych (Eva Parzych & children)