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FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT - B
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NOTE: THE SCRUTINIES READINGS ARE ALWAYS TAKEN FROM CYCLE A
THE SECOND SCRUTINY
The man born blind washed the mud from his eyes in the pool called, Siloam, "The One who is sent."
How is Jesus a pool to wash the mud from my eyes, that I might see?
As soon as he could see, his life became very difficult. People wondered if he was the same man, before they believed he could now see.
Has the restoration of my sight so changed me that others are surprised at the transformation?
So much fear seems to surround the restoration of his sight.
What fears do I now have to seeing clearly who Jesus is and what choices I must make to be with him?
The grace will come when I acknowledge that my eyes have been opened. Others may not want to believe I can see, but I know I can only keep repeating it, to myself and to them. I may experience rejection by some for claiming this new vision, but in the Light I can see clearly one who has healed me, and I give him thanks and praise.
THE FIRST SCRUTINY
Why did the Samaritan woman come to draw water at noon, the hottest time of the day?
Did she want to avoid the times the other women in town came to the well?
What are the places in my life where I am embarrassed, where I avoid interaction with others?
What are the noon day wells of my life?
Can I imagine Jesus approaching me there?
Jesus tries to reveal his thirst to her - perhaps his thirst for deeper intimacy with her - but she puts him off. She's not worthy. It won't work. When he offers to satisfy her thirst, she puts him off. He can't satisfy what she needs, at least with this well, and without a bucket.
How do I put Jesus off, with excuses, with problems, with barriers? I don't have time; I haven't done this before or I have and it didn't work; my stuff's too complicated; I don't know how to find you in this mess.
When he shows her that he knows her, she knows she's in the presence of someone special - perhaps the one she has thirsted for all her life.
Do I let Jesus show me that he knows and understands me?
Can I find the words to say he is the one I have thirsted for all my life?
The grace will come when I see that I have been at the well a long time and have long been thirsty. When I can name the new thirst, the Water that now satisfies that thirst, I can overcome my remaining resistance to trust.
When I see that Jesus reveals himself to me by revealing me to me, thereby showing me my need for him as Savior, I will rejoice and tell the whole world, too. I won't be able to help it.
Observe how her attitude changes as their conversation (and her conversion) unfolds .... humility is critical for true faith in Jesus.
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The Scrutinies will be celebrated for our RCIA Catechumen (those receiving all three Sacraments of Initiation) and Candidates (already baptized and completing Eucharist &/or Confirmation) at the 11:00am Mass this weekend and next weekend. I hope and pray that you will participate with them as they enter more deeply into this experience of reflection and self examination.
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Education in the context of Faith is Wisdom
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The
Saint Joseph School Task Force studying the new model blended classes and personalized education just finished 5 weeks of many hours of investigation and discussion into how this model would be implemented in our school.
Under the direction of Dr Stephen Cheeseman, the Superintendent of School for the Diocese of Bridgeport, a 20 member committee consisting of representatives from the education office of Diocese, SJS parents (including 3 educators in public education); SJS educators; parishioners from St Joseph Church, and Deacon Shaughnessy, Fr Silva and I was empaneled to chart a course for this undertaking.
As mentioned in an early eNote, we broke up into groups addressing 4 core components of this project; curriculum; technology and infrastructure; marketing; finance. The sub-committees met on Tuesday evenings and debriefed on Saturday mornings. Two of the 4 Tuesday evening meetings welcomed non-task force members of the SJS community for Q&A and comments.
This past Saturday we met to assemble this eagerly awaited presentation for the families of St Joseph School to consider for next year. The presentation came together seamlessly and each covered their discipline comprehensively and professionally. The meeting was scheduled for Tuesday evening and the Task Force was prepared; Mother Nature had other ideas, though. In anticipation of the snow, the meeting was postponed to Thursday evening, reminiscent of the first meeting we had with the Bishop.
We gathered together last evening (Thursday March 7) and the meeting can be viewed in its entirety below.
NOTE: The meeting begins at approx. 1 hour and 10 mins into the video.
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St Joseph Catholic Academy Parent Presentation
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Our goal is to have 100 students for the 2018/19 school year. Early indications are that we are well on our way to achieving that goal.
St Joseph School is not only an elementary school, it is also a very close knit family - with parents, children, educators and staff alike. It is that community, coupled with our unwavering commitment to excellence in education, our Catholic identity and the faith of children that will ensure our success into the future under this new and innovative model in personalized education.
Effective immediately St Joseph Catholic Academy is accepting registrations for the 2018/2019 academic year.
More to follow in future eNotes...
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HOLY FAMILY MEN'S RETREAT
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PLEASE REMEMBER OUR MEN IN YOUR PRAYERS THIS WEEKEND
Holy Family Men's Weekend Retreat - Friday-Sunday, Mar 9-11.
In an age of division, tension and change, enjoy a weekend of peace and reflection exploring the theme "Grace Enough" and discovering the many ways God's presence empowers us and supports us through every step of life's journey. The retreat begins with a buffet dinner Friday evening and concludes with brunch on Sunday. Retreatants enjoy dynamic teaching, home-cooked meals, uplifting music, and free time. $320; more if you can, less if you can't. 860-760-9705. www.holyfamilyretreat.org
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LENTEN SCHEDULE
(CONSULT WEBSITE FOR CANCELLATIONS
FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER)
Mondays
Praying with the Seven Last Words of Christ
Lectio
Divina (Divine Reading)
Monday evenings during Lent
from 6:30-8:00 PM in the Church.
Each evening will begin
with the recitation of the readings several times
followed by prayer and
discussion of the Scripture verse
Jesus' Seven Last Words from the Cross
Monday, Feb. 26 - Week One
"This day you will be with me in paradise."
Luke 23:43
Thursdays
Faith, Formation, & Fraternity - This Lent all
college
age adults and up are invited every Thursday (beginning
on February 15) from 7:00 to 8:30 PM in the Church for
30 minutes of adoration, 30 minutes of a talk, and 30
minutes (at least) of fraternity. Father Silva will begin with
a series of talks on the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. If you
are worried that you will be the only one there your age,
then bring a friend...or five; we hope to see you all there!
For additional information, please contact Father Silva via
Fridays
Lenten Suppers
6:00 PM
on Fridays in Lent:
Come to Parish Center before Stations of the Cross for a hearty bowl of soup or stew and
fellowship. Bring a friend! There is no charge for the sup
per.
Call the Parish Office if you'd like to contribute some
thing to one of the meals. (203)775-1035.
Stations of the Cross
7:00 PM on the Fridays of Lent:
Confessions
Tuesdays, 7:00pm-8:00pm
Saturdays at 3:45pm - 4:45pm
*Every M-W-F - 7:30am-8:30am
*(during Lent)
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WE CELEBRATE OUR PATRON - SAINT JOSEPH
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Sunday March 18
12noon until 3:30pm
The Second Annual San Giuseppe Festival
PLEASE
HELP!!!!!!!!
SIGN UPS FOR COMMITTEES WILL continue
THIS WEEK AFTER MASSES
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Saint Joseph's Story
The Bible pays Joseph the highest compliment: he was a "just" man. The quality meant a lot more than faithfulness in paying debts.
When the Bible speaks of God "justifying" someone, it means that God, the all-holy or "righteous" one, so transforms a person that the individual shares somehow in God's own holiness, and hence it is really "right" for God to love him or her. In other words, God is not playing games, acting as if we were lovable when we are not.
By saying Joseph was "just," the Bible means that he was one who was completely open to all that God wanted to do for him. He became holy by opening himself totally to God.
The rest we can easily surmise. Think of the kind of love with which he wooed and won Mary, and the depth of the love they shared during their marriage.
It is no contradiction of Joseph's manly holiness that he decided to divorce Mary when she was found to be with child. The important words of the Bible are that he planned to do this "quietly" because he was "a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame" (Matthew 1:19).
The just man was sim
ply, joyfully, wholeheartedly obedient to God-in marrying Mary, in naming Jesus, in shepherding the precious pair to Egypt, in bringing them to Nazareth, in the undetermined number of years of quiet faith and courage.
Reflection
The Bible tells us nothing of Joseph in the years after the return to Nazareth except the incident of finding Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41-51). Perhaps this can be taken to mean that God wants us to realize that the holiest family was like every other family, that the circumstances of life for the holiest family were like those of every family, so that when Jesus' mysterious nature began to appear, people couldn't believe that he came from such humble beginnings: "Is he not the carpenter's son? Is not his mother named Mary...?" (Matthew 13:55a). It was almost as indignant as "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" (John 1:46b).
Saint Joseph is the Patron Saint of:
Belgium
Canada
Carpenters
China
Fathers
Happy death
Peru
Russia
Social Justice
Travelers
Universal Church
Vietnam
Workers
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FORMED - CATHOLIC PLACE OF LEARNING AND GROWING
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CONSIDER THIS AS YOU GO TO CONFESSION AND RECEIVE COMMUNION
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Let us pray for those in our parish who were recently welcomed through
the Sacrament of Baptism especially,
Claire Ava Toczylowski
May her lifetime journey in faith sustain them and light her way.
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FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED
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Let us pray for those in our parish who have entered into their eternal rest...
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace.
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Let us celebrate with great joy those within our parish who have recently joined hearts and hands in the most sacred union of Holy Matrimony.
May God continue to bless them and keep them in his watchful care for the rest of their lives as the two of them became one in their new seamless union of love.
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ST JOSEPH CHURCH 2017 SECOND QUARTER FINANCIAL REPORTS
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Finance Council Meeting
are held quarterly
Second Quarter Reports will be posted by March 1, 2018
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In His Peace,
,,,
Rev. George F. O'Neill
Pastor
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