St. Elizabeth Ann Seton March 28, 2021 Bulletin

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish

Bringing People Into A Growing Relationship With Jesus Christ

This weekend we celebrate Palm Sunday.

And so, the most tragic and beautiful love story of all time begins.

It is at once, the story of one man and the story of all humanity. During this holiest of weeks, we bring the stories of our lives, complete with our pain, and go up to Jerusalem with the Lord, to let our story become one with His story.

The story has begun, and we walk together with Him to Jerusalem!

Check out the Children’s Liturgy of the Word lesson for this week's message - https://seasp.org/children!

Easter Sunday Masses

We can't wait to celebrate Easter with you! In order to ensure safe social distancing during Mass, reservations are required for Easter Sunday Masses.

Easter Sunday Masses will be at

7, 9 and 11 AM.

You can make reservations on our Eventbrite page

Some Masses are already sold out, but you can continue to watch for spots that may open up as people's plans change. You can also click the reservation link and add yourself to the waiting list.

Holy Week Webpage

Make Easter Sunday Mass Reservations

If you already have tickets, and your plans change, please be sure to promptly cancel the tickets you have so those on the waiting list can get tickets.

Lenten Reconciliation Services

Lent is a time to repent from your sins and heal your relationship with God. You are invited to participate in the sacrament of reconciliation prior to Easter.

There will be a Lenten Reconciliation Service on March 27th, at 10:30 AM.

On March 31st, from 5:30 to 6:30 PM, a priest from another parish will be here to celebrate individual reconciliations.

If those times do not work, you can contact Father Gary to set up a time that works for you.

We Have a New Roof!

Last April we experienced hail damage at the church and the rectory. About the time we were going to have it fixed, the derecho storm happened! Thankfully, our damage wasn't too bad so that our roofer could help those with major damage first, so we held off until spring, and the work was completed this week!

There will be no daily Mass on Tuesday, March 30th.

The church office will be closed on Friday, April 2nd.

PRAY

This last Friday of Lent, we will be doing a different type of Stations of the Cross. The Scriptural Stations of the Cross are based on those celebrated by Pope John Paul II on Good Friday in 1991. They are presented as an alternative to the traditional stations and as a way of reflecting more deeply on the scriptural accounts of Christ’s passion. We hope you'll join us in person, but if you can't, our website has a copy of the Scriptural Stations of the Cross for you to pray at home. If you'd like to pray the traditional stations, check out the version posted on our YouTube page.

Triduum Adoration Sign Up

The following time slots on Saturday, April 3rd, still need to be filled for the Holy Week adoration.

1 PM, 2 PM, 3 PM, 4 PM, 5 PM, 6 PM

The Blessed Sacrament needs at least one person present per hour, so if you are available to fill one of the slots, please email office@seasp.org.

LEARN

Gallup Strengths for HS Teens

When God created you, He pieced you together in a specific way, for a specific purpose. Join other high schoolers on a six week journey to dive in and explore the specific talents and strengths that God gave you.

The group will meet virtually on Sundays from 8 to 9 PM, beginning April 11th through May 16th. There is no cost to sign up. Sign up by emailing Sarah Casey.

The Marriage Course Online

Only 3 more weeks until couples begin to meet in this spring's Marriage Course! Don't miss your chance to sign up.

Over 50 couples in our parish have taken the course and have been glad they did!

Couples will meet virtually from the comfort of their home for 7 weeks. You'll watch an instructional video and discuss privately.

The first meeting is Thursday, April 15th, from 8:30 to 10 PM. The course will continue through May 27th. Find out more at www.seasp.org/marriage-tools#marriagecourse or register here.

Good Friday Collection

Pope Francis has asked our parish to support the Pontifical Good Friday Collection, which helps Christians in the Holy Land. When you contribute in this collection on Good Friday, you stand in solidarity with the Church in the Holy Land as a witness of peace, supporting Catholics there in parishes and schools, maintaining Christian shrines and caring for refugees in the Holy Land.

Please be generous. For more information about Christians in the Holy Land, visit www.myfranciscan.org/good-friday.

Easter Offering Online

If you're interested in giving your Easter Offering online, you can by visiting our online giving page! You can create an account and log in to track your giving in the future, or just give without signing up for an account.

No Children's Liturgy of the Word on Easter Weekend

There will be no Children's Liturgy of the Word on Easter Weekend (April 4th) or the weekend of April 18th.

Immediate Need for Children's Liturgy of the Word Ministers

Do you enjoy sharing your faith and bringing children into a closer relationship with Jesus Christ? We have an immediate need for new and returning ministry team members.

You only need to commit 20 minutes, once a month during Mass. The PowerPoint lesson is created for you, so you just need to love God, show up and share that love with children!

Please email Kelli DeVries at kdevries@seasp.org to join this wonderful ministry team.

Church Spring Cleaning

Our annual church spring cleaning before our Easter celebration is coming Monday, March 29th from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. If you're available to help, please sign up online. We'll take all the help we can get to get our church ready for Easter!

Easter Lily Donations

A donation to our Easter Lily flowers may be dedicated in memory of a loved one. Write the names of those you would like remembered on a piece of paper, put that paper and your donation in a sealed envelope marked, "Flowers" and submit to the parish office, or drop it in the collection basket. Each name you submit will be included in the bulletin on Easter weekend. To ensure their inclusion, please have them here by Monday, March 29th.

CRS Rice Bowls - Serving the Suffering Christ

As we enter Holy Week and celebrate Palm Sunday, let’s reflect on how our Lord suffered from our indifference: those who proclaimed him King of Jerusalem were the same who called to crucify him. We recognize we are all one human family. Are we contributing to the suffering of our sisters and brothers with our indifference to their realities? How does our faith inspire us to care for them and share the gifts that God has bestowed on us? Visit crsricebowl.org to learn more.

WITNESS

Reflecting God's Love & Mercy

Spring Campaign Closing Rally

Join us for the Closing Rally on Sunday, March 28th at 5 PM. We'll pray for one hour outside Planned Parenthood, and then head to Godfather’s Pizza at 6 PM.

Thank you for praying and fasting. Come meet others who have a heart for those hurting because of abortion.

For additional information, visit https://40daysforlife.com/cedar-rapids, email Pat or call 319-721-9730.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS UPDATE

We are now enrolling all students (new & returning) for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year. If you know a family who may be interested in Catholic education for their children, please share this information and encourage them to set up a tour to see our wonderful school.

We are enrolling all grades, K-5! Find out more at www.stpiusxschoolcr.com

Check out this video for a sneak peek into our kindergarten classrooms: St. Pius X Kindergarten Preview

St. Pius X Early Learning Center

Openings available - Register now!!

3 year old preschool, part time

8:30-11:30 M, W, F

8:30-11:30 T, Th

If interested call (319) 200-4546 or

email Connie Schulte at cschulte@stpiusxschoolcr.com

St. Francis Xavier & Jim Victor Memorial Scholarship Opportunities for Xavier High School Tuition

Thanks to multiple generous financial donations, the Xavier Foundation is able to offer two scholarship opportunities for students who wish to attend Xavier High School:

St. Francis Xavier Scholarship: The St. Francis Xavier Scholarship offers full tuition for up to four years to a qualifying Xavier High School student. Students in grades 8-11 may apply.

Jim Victor (R64) Memorial Scholarship: The Jim Victor (R64) Memorial Scholarship offers full in-parish tuition for one year to a qualifying Xavier High School student. Students in Grades 8-11 may apply.

Head to www.seasp.org/community-events-and-information#xavierscholarship to find our more. Deadline to apply for the 2021-2022 school year is April 30, 2021.

Thank you Mr. O'Donnell!

Mr. Brian O'Donnell, principal of St. Pius X Elementary School has announced his resignation, effective at the end of this school year. Mr. O'Donnell has done a superior job for the past nine years, and he will be sorely missed. We want to thank him for his dedication and service, and wish him well in his future endeavors.

A committee will be working on hiring his future replacement. If you or someone you know, is interested in applying for that role, you can apply online.