Third Sunday of Lent                                                                                                                       March 7, 2010

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       READINGS  FOR THIS WEEKEND                                   READINGS FOR NEXT WEEKEND          
         1^st Reading: Ex 3:1-8a, 13-15                                                     1^st Reading: Jos 5:9a, 10-12
            Responsorial Psalm                                                                                             Responsorial Psalm
            2^nd Reading: 1 Cor 10:1-6, 10-12                                                              2^nd Reading: 2 Cor 5:17-21
            Gospel Reading:  Lk 13:1-9                                                                          Gospel Reading: Lk 15:1-3, 11-32
 

Jesus said to them in reply, "Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!" - Lk 13:2-3

SACRIFICIAL GIVING…..for February 27/28, 2010

                $         1,237.11    loose

                $         4,376.00    197 envelopes   

    $        5,612.36 TOTAL    Thank you for your support of the parish.

THE LIGHT IS ON FOR YOU

This is an initiative that the Diocese is sponsoring during Lent. It is an attempt to hi-lite the wonderful Sacrament of Penance (confession). This is a great gift that God has given to us to help us follow in His way. We all know well that to follow Christ is not easy and sometimes we slip along the way. The Sacrament of Penance gives us strength and grace. Unfortunately many try to go it on their own and do not accept the gift God gives us. In every parish and chapel in the Archdiocese this sacrament will be celebrated on Wednesday evening from 6:30-8:00. Please accept this gift from God. More information can be found at the Archdiocese’s web site www.TheLightIsOnForYou.org

CALL FOR SINGERS

We had a number of singers come forth at Christmas to join with the Parish Chorale to sing at the Christmas Midnight Mass.  I am again inviting parish singers who are not able to commit to the full choir season to join the Chorale for the Easter Vigil Mass at 7:30 P.M. on Saturday, April 3, and/or Easter Sunday Mass at 11:00 A.M., April 4.  Anyone who is interested would have to attend two Wednesday rehearsals, March 24 and

March 31, from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M. Please call Henry at (508) 947-1263 for more information or for signing up to sing ASAP.

 CHILDREN'S CHOIR

Some of the members of the children’s Choir will present two selections this Sunday afternoon at 3:00 P.M. at the Central Baptist Church, Middleboro.  The concert is sponsored by the Middleboro Music Guild.  All are welcome, and there is no cover charge for the concert.

“MEN COPING WITH GRIEF”

SUPPORT GROUP

Beacon Hospice will offer a support group, “Men Coping with Grief,” at the Plymouth Council on Aging beginning April 13, 2010.  This group will meet for 8 weeks on Tuesday afternoons from 1:00 – 2:30 P.M. Any man who is experiencing grief because of the death of a loved one is invited to participate.  This program is free of charge and is open to any man in the local area.

Pre-registration is required to participate.  For more information and to pre-register, please call Scott A. Ciosek, M.Div., bereavement coordinator at Beacon Hospice at 508-747-7222.

He who angers you, controls you!

CATHOLIC APPEAL

This is Catholic Appeal Weekend here at Saint Martha and Mary’s Parish.  We, like all parishes throughout our Archdiocese, will be hearing a message from Cardinal Sean at all Masses and asking every Catholic Household to participate by making a pledge.  Please know that your participation matters and will make a difference.

As a Catholic community, we are called during this season of Lent to love and share our blessings with our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Participation in the Catholic Appeal, a once-a-year pledge drive to benefit the many central ministries and services of the Archdiocese, is one way for us to answer His call.  The Appeal is to our Archdiocese what the weekly offertory is to our parish – so your participation and support are critical.  Because of the economic downturn, support of the Catholic Appeal is more urgent this year.  Please see the information packets in the pews to learn more and to obtain a pledge form if you didn’t receive one last week.

Cardinal Sean thanks all the families from Saints Martha and Mary’s Parish that contributed $24,063 to the 2009 Catholic Appeal.  This year, we hope to have 164 households participate.  Our financial goal is $28,000.  If we exceed our financial goal, we will receive 28 % of all funds raised above goal for use here in our parish.

 Thank you in advance for joining with parishioners throughout our Archdiocese’s 291 parishes to carry on and renew the broader mission of our Church.

K OF C CORN BEEF & CABBAGE DINNER AND RAFFLE

SUNDAY MARCH 14, 2010    5:00 p.m.

262 West Grove Street, Rte. 28 Middleboro

Hosted by the Middleboro-Lakeville K of C

Enjoy a Saint Patrick’s Day delicious dinner and  raffle.

Tickets: Adults $10 Children $7

Call Bob: 508-947-4320

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES 

Kindergarten Classes: March 7 and 14

First Grade Classes:    March 21 and 28

Confirmation I:  March 6 - Retreat, Class - March 8

Confirmation II:  March 13  - Retreat

Confirmation II:  March 15 Parent and Sponsor Meeting. - 7 pm in the church hall.

U THOUGHTS ON THE  LITURGY U

Without growth there is no life. This has significant relevance for our criminal justice system. Policies of zero tolerance and life sentences have filled our prisons but failed to change our society. Only a combination of punishment and rehabilitation is humane. Theologically, judgment and mercy are God’s way of dealing with sin.

The story of Moses reveals a lag time between God’s judgment and God’s mercy. Justice and mercy are two sides of the same coin but the distance between them is seldom paper thin. The history of the Israelites is a drama involving both God’s judgment and mercy.

God’s love is not conditional, but how it is experienced is determined by the people’ own faithfulness. There is an element of judgment in God’s mercy, and an element of mercy in God’s judgment.

God sometimes extends mercy to others through us. We are responsible for giving second chances to other people, and we are responsible for giving them what they need to grow. God works both in us and through us.

God’s judgment and mercy are active agents in our growth as persons created in God’s image. Mercy is like the rainbow in the sky. It never glimmers in the bright sky or glistens in the dark night. The rainbow only appears in the clouds after the storm Mercy is not a reward for repentance but the gift of God to the contrite heart.

Followers of Jesus must possess both the strong hand of judgment and the gentle touch of mercy. We are obligated to maintain order as well as restore relationships. Let us pray to be instruments of both justice and mercy in the world.

God doesn’t call the qualified,

He qualifies the called.

If you have a family member or know of someone who is unable to attend Mass and would like to receive the Sacraments, please notify the office.

If you are new to the area, we welcome you to join our parish family.  Please introduce yourself after Mass.  To register in the Parish, please stop by the Parish Office or call us at 508-947-2107. We want to know you and serve you.