RECTORY OFFICE HOURS: Monday-Friday: 9:00 A.M. to 12:00PM and 1:00PM—5:00 P.M. Saturday-Sunday: Closed Tel. # 718-647-2632 Fax # 718-647-1321 Email: stfortunatachurch@gmail.com SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Baptisms are celebrated in English First Sunday of each month at 12:15 p.m. Arrangements should be made one month prior to Baptism. Children 7 years or older should register for Religion classes. SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE Arrangements should be made with a Priest at least six months prior to wedding date. For Marriage Preparation Program /Information Log on to www.pre-cana.org SACRAMENT OF PENANCE (Confessions) Every Saturday at: 8:30 a. m. and 4:30 p.m. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (CCD) Please contact: Director: Sister Norieta Tusi, C.S.JB. Tel. 718-647-2632 EXT. 14

HORARIO DE LA OFICINA: Lunes a Viernes: 9:00 A.M. to 12:00PM and 1:00PM—5:00 P.M. Sábado-Domingo: Cerrada Tel. # 718. 647-2632 Ext. 0 Fax # 718-647-1321 Correo Electrónico: stfortunatachurch@gmail.com SACRAMENTO DEL BAUTISMO Los Bautizos en Español son celebrados el Tercer Domingo de cada mes a las 11:00 a.m. También, Sábados Bilingüe a las 5:30 p.m. Las Inscripciones deben hacerse con un mes de anticipación en la oficina. -Niños de 7 años en adelante deben registrarse en la cateque-sis para poder ser bautizados. SACRAMENTO DEL MATRIMONIO Los arreglos deben hacerse directamente con el sacerdote por lo me-nos seis meses antes de la fecha del matrimonio. Para Cursillo Pre-Matrimonial www.pre-cana.org SACRAMENTO DE PENITENCIA (Confesiones) Todos los Sábados a las: 8:30 a.m. y a las 4:30 p.m. EDUCACION RELIGIOSA (CCD) Por favor contactar a: Directora: Sor Norieta Tusi, C.S. JB. Tel. 718-647-2632 EXT. 14

PARISH STAFF/PERSONAL DE LA PARROQUIA Pastor/Párroco: Rev. Jose F. Herrera D.R.E.: Sr. Norieta Tusi, C.S. JB. Pastoral Associate: Sr. Loretta Florio, C.S. JB. Youth Minister: Deacon Rafael Cabrera Retired Deacons: Mr. Osborne Miranda & Dr. Okafor Uzoigwe Administrative Assistant: Mrs. Maria Jorge Bookkeeper: Ms. Phyllis Keenan Maintenance: Mr. Carlos Gonzalez Music Director: Mr. Edward McKenna

NEW MASS SCHEDULE: AS OF 7-1-18/ NUEVO HORARIO DE MISAS: 7-1-18 Sundays/ Domingos:11:00 a.m. (Español) 9:15 a.m. & 12:15 p.m. (English) Martes: 1:30 p.m. (English-Igbo) 7:30 p.m. (Español)-Sótano • Youth Mass 3rd Sunday of each Month 12:15 p.m. • Monday to Friday /Lunes a Viernes: 8:00 a.m. (English) • First Friday Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: 8:00 a.m. (English) and 7:30 p.m. (bilingual) • Saturday/ Sábado: 8:00 a.m. (English) 5:30 p.m Misa Bilingüe 5:30 p.m. (Bilingual) • Catholic Holy Days/ Días de Fiestas Católicas: 8:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. (bilingual) 7:30 p.m Misa Bilingüe

2609 Linden Blvd. Brooklyn, NY 11208. Tel. 718-647-2632 Fax. 718-647-1321

TODAY’S READINGS AND REFLECTION First Reading — The man and the woman ate the fruit of the one tree that God had told them to avoid, and their shame overtook them (Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7). Psalm — Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned (Psalm 51). Second Reading — Death reigned from Adam to Moses, but now grace and life abound in Christ Jesus (Romans 5:12-19 [12, 17-19]). Gospel — Jesus was led into the desert by the Spirit and there he fasted for forty days and forty nights (Matthew 4:1-11). The English translation of the Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

STRENGTH AGAINST TEMPTATION The first Sunday of the season of Lent always includes a Gospel account of the temptation of the Lord Jesus in the desert by the devil. This year, the story is set against the backdrop of the first reading from Genesis, which recounts the very first temptation by the devil. That story is set in a garden of delight. The Gospel story is set in the desert. As believers, we know that temptation comes our way in our own gardens of delight as well as the deserts of our lives. As Lent begins, our attention is drawn to that temptation within each of us to become like God—we want control, power, and answers to all of life’s difficult questions. As communities of faith, we are given this season of repentance so that we can join our hearts with others on the difficult journey of conversion. We look to God and to one another for strength against temptation. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

REFLEXION Y LECTURAS DE HOY Primera lectura — Entonces se les abrieron los ojos y ambos se dieron cuenta de que estaban desnudos. (Génesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7). Salmo — Ten piedad, Señor, porque somos pecadores (Salmo 51 [50]). Segunda lectura — Una sola trasgresión acarreó sentencia de muerte para todos, pero la rehabilitación merecida por uno solo, obtuvo perdón y vida para todos (Romanos 5:12-19 [12, 17-19]). Evangelio — Adorarás al Señor, tu Dios, y a él solo servirás (Mateo 4:1-11). Salmo responsorial: Leccionario Hispanoamericano Dominical © 1970, Comisión Episcopal Española. Usado con permiso. Todos los derechos reservados.

FORTALEZA ANTE LA TENTACIÓN El primer domingo del tiempo de Cuaresma siempre incluye el relato evangélico de la tentación del Señor Jesús en el desierto por el diablo. Este año tiene como trasfondo la primera lectura de Génesis, en la que se narra la primera tentación del diablo que ocurre en un jardín de delicias. El relato del Evangelio transcurre en el desierto. Los creyentes sabemos que la tentación viene tanto en nuestros propios jardines de delicias como en los desiertos de nuestra vida. La Cuaresma comienza, y nuestra atención se dirige a esa tentación dentro de nosotros de hacernos como Dios –queremos control, poder y respuesta a todas las difíciles preguntas de la vida. A nuestras comunidades de fe se les ofrece este tiempo de arrepentimiento para que podamos unir nuestro corazón al de otros en el difícil camino de la conversión. Nos volvemos a Dios y hacia los demás buscando fortaleza ante la tentación.

Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

Mass Intention / Intenciones de Misa Saturday, February 29th / Sábado, 29 de Febrero 8:00 a.m.: Purgatorial Society 5:30 p.m.: Santiago Brown (D), Su Viuda e Hija Sunday, March 1st —I Sunday of Lent Domingo 1° de Marzo —I Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario Second Collection: Black and Indian Missions 9:15 a.m.: 1) Msgr. Patrick Usenbor (D), The Adun Okundaye Family 2) In Thanksgiving for Dare Family, Friends 11:00 a.m.: 1) Julio Hernandez, Georgina Gaston 2) Victor Guevara (Recordando su Cumpleaños), Su Viuda Maria Guevara 3) Otilia Fiallos y Tomas Paz, Su Hija Maria Paz y Nietos 5) Alberto Tavarez (D), Su Hija Paula Tavarez 12:15 p.m.: Elena Cueva (Repose of Her Soul), Sr. Amelia 1:30 p.m.: 1) Special Intention of The Charismatic Prayer

Group 2) Julianna Okolo (Repose of Her Soul), Chuks Okolo & Family Monday, March 2nd / Lunes, 2 de Marzo 8:00 a.m.: Sr. Maria Risaria Falciano (D), Sisters of St. Fortunata Tuesday, March 3rd / Martes, 3 de Marzo 8:00 a.m.: 1) Wendy Cruz Rodriguez (9 Meses de

Fallecida), Sus Familiares 2) Joachim Mark and Doreen Alexander

(Repose of Their Souls), Bernice Mark 7:30 p.m.: Spanish Mass in the Church Basement Wednesday, March 4th / Miércoles, de Marzo 8:00 a.m.: Sister Leonilde Fidanza (D), Sisters of St. Fortunata Thursday, March 5th /Jueves, 5 de Marzo 8:00 a.m.: Magdalena Sevilles (D), Sisters of St. Fortunata Friday, March 6th / Viernes 6 de Marzo 8:00 a.m.: Special Intention of Patrick and Mary Okundaye 7:00 p.m.: Stations of the Cross/Via Crucis Saturday, March 7th / Sábado, 7 de Marzo 8:00 a.m.: Purgatorial Society 5:30 p.m.: _______________________ Sunday, March 8th —II Sunday of Lent Domingo 8 de Marzo —II Domingo de Cuaresma Second Collection: Easter Flowers 9:15 a.m.: In Thanksgiving for Winnie Obi’s Birthday, The Obi Family 11:00 a.m.: 1) Petronila Del Carmen Burdiel, Napoleon

Jimenez e Isidro Jimenez, Agustina Jimenez 2) Luis Gaston (D), Georgina Gaston 12:15 p.m.: For The Special Intention of Maria & George 1:30 p.m.: ___________________________________

I SUNDAY OF LENT/ I DOMINGO DE CUARESMA

The African Community Of St. Fortunata Prayer Meeting: Last Friday of every month at 6:30pm in the Church & African English Mass at 7:30 pm in the Church. General Meeting: Last Sunday of every month After 9:15a.m. Mass In the Church basement. Contact Information and Application. Presi-dent: Tunde Dare: (646)492-4547. Public Relation Officer: Matthew Ozougwu (917)640-6055 Bible Study Class: Coordinator: Sr. Loretta Meeting every Tuesday in the Rectory Basement 8:30 a.m-10:00 a.m. Catechism for Igbo Community Children: Every Sunday at 11:45 a.m. in the Church Basement. CWO: First Sunday of every Month at 2:30 p.m. in the Church Basement. Charismatic Prayer Group: Coordinator: Solomon Mbagwu. Meetings every Saturday in the church Basement at 6:30 pm. Choir: Practice on Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. “English” Igbo Community of St. Fortunata: Coordinator: Chibuzo Nweke. 917-642-5828 Meeting second Sunday of every month, in the Church Basement at 3:00 P.M. Knight s of Columbus: Coordinator: Evans Anuforoh

Meetings First and Third Friday of the month at 8:00 p.m. in the Church Basement. Liturgy Group: Coordinator: Dr. Lopez Meetings by convocation every three months. To join please call the rectory. Youth Group of St. Fortunata: Coordinator: George Deschamps Youth Minister: Deacon Rafael Cabrera Meetings every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. in the Rectory Basement.

Calendario de Reuniones de Grupos y Eventos Coro Hispano: Director: Eddie Mckeenan Cursillo de Cristiandad: Coordinador: Ana Rodríguez Reunión todos los domingos en el sótano de la Iglesia a las 11:30 a.m. Equipo de Liturgia: Coordinadora: Carmen Pérez reuniones cada tres meses. Por convocatoria. Para unirse llame a la Rectoría. Grupo Juvenil: Coordinador: George Deschamps Reuniones todos los domingos en el sótano de la rectoría Renovación Carismática: Coordinadora: Carmen Pérez Reunión todos los martes a las 7:00 p.m. y Misa a las 7:30 p.m. Legión de María: Coordinadora, Matilde. Reunión todos los Miércoles a las 7:00 p.m.

CALENDAR OF SOCIETIES / GROUPS / MINISTRY

Weekly Offering Report for the Week

We are a Tithing Community following God’s Plan for Giving. The key to understanding how God wants us to give to the Church is found in 1 Corinthians 16:2, “On the first day of the week [Sunday] each of you should set aside whatever you can af-

ford,” In return for the Lord’s generosity. In the last week our people returned to his Church the Following:

Weekly Offering Report for February 23rd, 2020 First Collection: $4,032.–, Children: $170.-, Second Collection: $1,258.–

“Our weekly offering is one way of saying: we belong to the Lord… and one another. What Does YOUR weekly offering Say? Pray for His guidance THEN renew your commitment to Tithing”.

Fast & Abstinence Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence. For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards.

A Reflection on Lenten Fasting If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the "paschal fast" to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and to celebrate more readily his Resurrection.

Ayuno y Abstinencia Cuaresmal El Miércoles de Ceniza y el Viernes Santo son días obligatorios de ayuno y abstinencia para los católicos. Además, los viernes durante la Cuaresma son días obligatorios de abstinencia.

Para los miembros de la Iglesia de rito latino, las normas son

obligatorias desde la edad de 18 años hasta los 59. Cuando se ayuna,

se le permite a la persona comer una comida completa, así como dos

comidas más pequeñas que juntas no equivalgan a una comida

completa. Las normas sobre la abstinencia de carne son vinculantes

para los miembros de la iglesia católica de rito latino desde los 14 años

en adelante.

Si es posible, el ayuno del Viernes Santo se continúa hasta la Vigilia

Pascual (la noche del Sábado Santo) como el "ayuno pascual" para

honrar el sufrimiento y la muerte del Señor Jesús y prepararnos para

compartir más plenamente y celebrar más apropiadamente su

Resurrección.

Queridos Hermanos y Hermanas en Cristo:

“Renovemos nuestra vida con signos de penitencia, ayunemos y lloremos delante del Señor, porque la misericordia de nuestro Dios está siempre dispuesta a perdonar nuestros pecados”. Con el Miércoles de Ceniza hemos dado inicio a este nuevo tiempo de Cuaresma y tendremos la bendición de observar muchas prácticas religiosas, que sabiamente nuestra iglesia nos pide y recomienda: el ayuno, la penitencia y la oración. Estas tres prácticas de piedad eran muy importantes para cualquier buen judío. En tiempos de Jesús y de los primeros cristianos, valían por sí mismas y evidenciaban que quien las cumplía al pie de la letra era alguien de bien. Sin embargo hay una condición para su efectividad que sea sin alardes ni ostentaciones, ahí radica la buena intención. En esta Cuaresma, ¿de qué manera pondremos en práctica la limosna, el ayuno y la oración? También participaremos todos los viernes en la Santa misa y el viacrucis con un sentido nuevo de purificación y revisión de vida que nos encamine a vivir como verdaderos hermanos en Cristo. Que esta Cuaresma nos ayude a volver al Señor poniéndolo en primer plano en nuestras vidas y corazones.

Estamos un poco atrasados en dar comienzo a la Campaña católica Anual 2020, muy pronto pasaremos el video que motive a la mayoría a comprometerse como parroquia. Agradecemos a esa minoría que hace su compromiso y lo cumple; a su vez hacemos un llamado a esa mayoría que no se siente parte de esta causa y que esta vez ya se animen a serlo y dar su aporte, que Dios les compense de su desprendimiento y generosidad. Vamos a ver los resultados desde las bancas.

De Generaciones de Fe ya estamos ahora en proceso para hacer el baño en una de las sacristías, confiamos que todo se vaya dando sin dificultad y logremos este último proyecto en su cien por ciento. Recuerde que unidos seguiremos haciendo grandes cosas en beneficio de nuestra parroquia.

Abundantes bendiciones para todos,

José Francisco Herrera, Su servidor

From the Desk of the Pastor... Del Escritorio Del Párroco... Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Let us renew our lives with penance, let us fast and weep before the Lord, that our God, rich in mercy, might forgive us our sins." With Ash Wednesday we begin this new Lenten season with the blessings that come from fulfilling many religious practices which our church wisely asks of us and recommends: fasting, prayer and almsgiving. These three practices of piety were very important for any good Jew and in the time of Jesus and the first Christians, they were very important and were fulfilled to the letter of the law which would indicate the goodness of the person. However, for their effectiveness there is a condition: they must be done without boasting or ostentation; therein lies the good intention. During this Lent, how will we put fasting and prayer and almsgiving into practice? We can participate each Friday in Holy Mass and the Way of the Cross with a renewed sense of atonement and a review of life that leads us to live as true brothers and sisters in Christ. May this Lent help us to return to the Lord by making this time a priority in our lives and in our hearts.

We are a bit delayed in starting the Annual Catholic

Campaign 2020. Soon we will view the video to help motivate more of our parishioners to make a commitment. We thank those, a minority, that make and fulfill their commitment. Also, we call on that majority who do not take part in this good cause and hope that at this time they are encouraged to participate and make a contribution. May God reward you for your self-giving and generosity. We hope to see good results from the in-pew pledges.

With the funds realized from the Generations of

Faith, we are now in the planning process to construct a bathroom in one of the sacristies. We trust that all goes smoothly, and we can bring this last project to completion. Remember that together we will continue doing great things for the benefit of our parish.

Abundant blessings to all, Fr. Jose Francisco Herrera, Your servant

You are Invited to our Lenten Retreat:

“A call to Discipleship in The Family” SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2020 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Concluding with the 5:30 p.m. Mass in the Church We hope you can join us!

Leader and Guest Speaker: Rev. Father Jerome Iyeh

Le invitamos a Nuestro Retiro de Cuaresma: Llamados a Ser Mis Discípulos en La Familia

SABADO 28 DE MARZO, 2020 De 1:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. Culminando con la Misa de 5:30

Predicador: Diácono Rafael Cabrera –Acompañado por un Ministerio de Música

Lugar: Sótano de la Iglesia ¡Esperamos que pueda acompañarnos!

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK OF SOUL, BODY OR SPIRIT /POR FAVOR ORE POR LOS ENFERMOS We kindly request your prayers for the following persons. May God grant them healing and strength/

Oremos por nuestros Enfermos para que el Señor les dé la Salud de Alma y Cuerpo.

Bibian Johnson, Rose McNally, Cecilia Vencebi (Cookie), Alima Atanda, Tugman Nichols, Maria Huerta, Christina Graham, Emma Hall, Gabriel Soto,

Victor McDaniel, Elaine Pastore, Dorothy Randall Fortune, Gregory Cortez, Ana Berrios, Ezequiel Cintron, Michael St. Hill, Vicky Gomez, Verna Smith, James

Leung, Jose Vazquez, Carmen Vanderpool, Catherine Henry, Dionisio Rodriguez, Nancy Leon, Jesus De Leon, Jacki Reeves, Deacon Okafor Uzoigue, Germain

Charles, Veronica Henry, Alvira Waldron, Sylvia Brown, Andre Clarke, Fanny Obi, Darwin Williams, Mary Basile, Jocelyne Mills.

SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: First Sunday of Lent Monday: Julian Calendar Lent begins Tuesday: St. Katharine Drexel Wednesday: St. Casimir Friday: World Day of Prayer; Abstinence; First Friday Saturday: Ss. Perpetua and Felicity; First Saturday SAINT KATHARINE DREXEL (1858-1955) March 3 Born into Philadelphia society, Katharine was an infant when she lost her mother. Her father remarried and the couple taught their daughters that their wealth was a “gift on loan” to be shared with the poor, whom they fed and cared for in their home. Invited by priest friends to witness firsthand the destitution on Native American reservations, Katharine resolved to devote her inheritance to this apostolate and enter a contemplative order. When, however, in private audience, she begged Leo XIII to send missionaries to staff the schools she was building, the pope replied, “My child, why not become a missionary yourself?” Katharine renounced a twenty-million-dollar fortune and founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, adoring Christ present in the Eucharist and ministering to Christ suffering in victims of racial discrimination. Her Sisters established over sixty schools nationwide, including Xavier University, New Orleans, the first dedicated to pro-fessional education for African Americans. In 2000, John Paul II can-onized “Mother Drexel,” praising her “excellent example of practical charity and generous solidarity with the less fortunate, long the distin-guishing mark of American Catholics.”

—Peter Scagnelli, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Lv 19:1-2, 11-18; Ps 19:8-10, 15; Mt 25:31-46 Tuesday: Is 55:10-11; Ps 34:4-7, 16-19; Mt 6:7-15 Wednesday: Jon 3:1-10; Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19; Lk 11:29-32 Thursday: Est C:12, 14-16, 23-25; Ps 138:1-3, 7c-8; Mt 7:7-12 Friday: Ez 18:21-28; Ps 130:1-8; Mt 5:20-26 Saturday: Dt 26:16-19; Ps 119:1-2, 4-5, 7-8; Mt 5:43-48 Sunday: Gn 12:1-4a; Ps 33:4-5, 18-20, 22; 2 Tm 1:8b-10; Mt 17:1-9

TEMPTATION

Every conquered temptation represents a new fund of moral energy. Every trial endured and weathered in the right spirit makes a soul nobler and stronger than it was before.

—William Butler Yeats

PRAYER The value of persistent prayer is not that God will hear us, but that we will finally hear God. —William McGill

The African Community of St Fortunata Church invites you to a Spiritual Pilgrimage to the

NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE DIVINE MERCY, Stockbridge, Massachusetts

DATE:SUNDAY APRIL 19, 2020 7.30am (Front of the Church)

Attentions all Lectors, We will have a meeting on Sunday March 8th in the Church basement immediately after the 9:15 a.m. Mass. Agenda:

• Lent Season • Easter Schedule • Summer Schedule • What is Ministry?

Moneygram Pasajes Excursiones Cruceros Luna de Miel Seguros Traducciones Notario Público Impuestos/Envíos

Felix Fausto Bello, President 2986 Fulton St

Brooklyn, NY 11208 Tels.

718-827-1600 718-827-6000

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2609 Linden Boulevard Brooklyn, N.Y. 11208. Telephone: 718-647-2632 Fax: 718-647-1321

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