FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT FEBRUARY 29-MARCH 1, 2020

GENESIS 2:7-9 ROMANS 5:12-19 MATTHEW 4:1-11

GATHER HYMNAL #904

THE EUCHARISTIC COMMUNITY AT EGLISE ST. JEAN BAPTISTE

Bread Broken for a New World

The Pastor’s Reflections

A few days ago we w e r e m a r k e d

with the dual sign of sinfulness and re-demption – the cross. We carried it in quiet witness onto the trading floor as Wall Street bought and sold. In the crowded subways and busses we declared its pres-ence over and over as our heads bobbed and we stood and sat and squirmed our way in and out. Sex workers, addicts, the lost and homeless left the churches of Times Square signed with the mark of the crucified. The cross was everywhere. It’s awe inspiring, on this one day of the year, to see the multitude of crosses infiltrate the city. Ash Wednesday is the one day when the cross dominates this secular society of ours. I often wonder what the smudged cross means to the people who carry it. The attraction to re-ceive this cross is powerful. More people come to the church on Ash Wednesday than Christmas or Easter. What is it that draws so many to that cross?

In the course of the day I spent close to eight hours im-posing ashes. I have-n’t used the tradi-t iona l formula , “Remember, man, that thou are dust and unto dust that shalt return,” for sev-eral years. I made the decision to do so after years of impos-ing ashes on the foreheads of the chil-dren I work with every day. I often wondered what those words meant to these innocent grade school children. Why

was I reminding them of the certainty of death? They were just beginning to live! I wondered what Jesus said to the chil-dren who came to him, the children whose heads he touched with the hands that would one day be nailed to a cross. I decided to use a phrase they could un-derstand. “Remember, God loves you.” The first Ash Wednesday I began using this new formula proved to me that my choice was a good one. An elderly man came up to me to re-ceive the ashes. As I always do, I looked into his eyes as I said the words,

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“Remember, God loves you.” Then I placed my hand on his head for a moment. His reaction was a bit startling. He began to cry and said, “No one’s ever said that to me before.” My spon-taneous response was, “It’s true, you know.” He hugged me and then walked down the aisle and knelt in a pew for a while before leaving.

Later on, a well-dressed woman came forward. I did the same thing. She grabbed my hand and burst into tears. “You have no idea how much I needed to hear that today!” Over and over again I said the words, “Remember, God loves you.” I watched each person walk to a pew afterward and kneel down. I would wonder what those words meant to that person. Some people stayed for a minute, others longer. Almost everyone lit a candle before they left the church – a little senti-nel to stand witness to their prayer. Many people came back to me before they left the church to say a simple, “Thanks, Father.” From that day on Ash Wednesday has been a solemn day of remem-brance for me. I see it as the day when we Chris-tians become living banners celebrat-ing God’s love. Walking down the street, shopping, washing dishes in the back room of a restaurant, picking up the garbage, patrolling the streets, tending to the sick in hospitals, walking through Grand Central, picking up the kids at school we carry the banner: “Remember, God loves you!” This Lent, let’s hope and pray that people begin to believe us.

FRIDAYS OF LENT

Stations of the Cross will be conducted after the 12:15 Mass

LENTEN TRADITIONS

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of Fasting and Abstinence.

Fridays during Lent

are days of Abstinence.

Abstinence has traditionally meant eating meatless meals. However, it has been a growing custom to abstain from meat AND fish on these days.

Fasting ranges from consuming only liquids to eating one or two small meals a day.

Prayer is an essential part of Lent. Time spent in personal prayer, reading scripture, and participating in the celebra-tion of the Mass more frequently are im-portant ways to enrich our Lenten journey.

LENTEN SCHEDULE

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MUSIC OF THE LITURGY

The scripture readings may be found in GATHER at No. 904 PROCESSIONAL HYMN: No. 411 “Forty Days And Forty Nights” KYRIE: Storrington Mass by Marty Haugen GLORY TO GOD: Storrington Mass by Marty Haugen LITURGY OF THE WORD FIRST READING: RESPONSORIAL PSALM: “Be Merciful, O Lord, For We Have Sinned” SECOND READING: GOSPEL ACCLAMATION GOSPEL READING: HOMILY CREED, NO. 143 INTERCESSIONS LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS: No. 402 “From Ashes To The Living Font” EUCHARISTIC PRAYER ACCLAMATION: Storrington Mass by Marty Haugen When We Eat This Bread and Drink This Cup, We Proclaim the Death of the Lord Until He Comes Again THE GREAT AMEN: Storrington Mass by Marty Haugen MUSIC AT COMMUNION: No. 813 “One Bread One Body” BLESSING and DISMISSAL RECESSIONAL: No. 397 “The Glory Of These Forty Days”

Richard Owen, Jr., Director of Music Ministries & Organist email: owenrick@aol.com

“A person who sings, prays twice.” -St. Augustine

7:30 PM

We are seeking choristers of all ages & skill levels to join our masses and inspire our congregation.

We are also seeking leaders of song/volunteer cantors. Training will be provided - no experience necessary.

Please reach out to Richard Owen, Dir. of Music: owenrick@aol.com

Choir of St. Jean Baptiste: 11am Sunday Mass - Rehearsal Sunday 10:30am – Choir Room

Children’s Choir: 11am Sunday Mass (first Sunday of each Month) - Rehearsal

Sunday 10:30AM - Choir Room

Modern Ensemble (All Instruments welcome) 7:30pm Sunday Mass - Rehearsal 7pm - Church

Offertory: “Above All”

Processional: No. 411 “Forty Days And Forty Nights”

Communion: “When I Look Into Your Holiness”

Recessional: No. 397 “The Glory Of These Forty Days”

Above all powers Above all kings Above all nature And all created things Above all wisdom And all the ways of man You were here Before the world began Above all kingdoms Above all thrones Above all wonders The world has ever known

Above all wealth And treasures of the earth There's no way to measure What You're worth Crucified Laid behind a stone You lived to die Rejected and alone Like a rose Trampled on the ground You took the fall The thought of me, Above All

When I look into Your holiness When I gaze into Your loveliness When all things that surround become shadows In the light of You When I've found the joy of reaching Your heart

When my will becomes enthroned in Your love When all things that surround become shadows In the light of You I worship You I worship You The reason I live is to worship You

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St. Jean’s is one of the early benefactors of the

program and continues to support the distribution of

healthy, nourishing food to those in need.

For the month of March, the food pantry is

collecting

• Applesauce

• Canned Beans

• Canned Fish (Tuna and Salmon)

• Canned Meat (SPAM and Ham)

• Canned Vegetables

• Cooking Oils (Olive and Canola)

• Crackers.

• Pasta

• Pasta Sauce

PLEASE ASSIST the work of the Pantry by leaving

the donations at St. Joseph’s altar.

MOVIE THURSDAYS

This Lent experience some of the most riveting stories of the Old Testament, as we bring the Bible to life by visualizing and dramatizing the scriptures in film on Movie Thursdays, held in the north-east corner of the church (near Mary’s statue), from 6:30 pm -8:30 pm.

Dates Movie Thursday, March 5th Noah Thursday, March 12th Ruth Thursday, March 19th No movie (St. Joseph’s Day) Friday, March 20th Jonah Thursday, March 26th Moses

Admission is free and there will be a free will offering. Please invite your friends and family members to join us as we explore these stories together.

NOCTURNAL ADORATION

The St. Jean’s Chapter of Nocturnal Adoration Society will hold its monthly Prayer Vigil on Friday, March 6, 2020, from 5:00 pm (Evening Prayer) to 9:00 pm.

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EXPLORING OUR FAITH

Our new ministry, designed to help Catho-lics better understand and deepen knowledge and practice of our faith, will begin by showing some of the insightful videos presented by Bishop Barron.

Walk through the Liturgy with Bishop Bar-ron and you’ll be transformed through insights on this most privileged and intimate encounter with our Lord Jesus Christ.

See how the Mass brings us out of the fallen world and into the heavenly realm, how it resonates with a call from God and a re-sponse from his people, the Church, and, most importantly, how we are intimately joined with the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus through the Holy Eucharist.

This video of the Mass will help you under-stand how to fully, consciously, and ac-tively participate in the source and summit of the Christian life. This will be held at the St. Jean’s High School auditorium.

Address: St. Jean’s School Auditorium

173 East 75th Street New York, NY 10021

2nd Series: "A Biblical Walk Through Christ's Passion"

presented by Dr. Edwin Sri (available through Ascension Press)

Sunday, March 8th 12:30 - 1:30 "The Prayer of the Agony: Jesus in Gethsemane" Sunday, March 15th 12:30 - 1:30 "Are You the Christ?" Jesus' Arrest and Trial Before the Sanhedrin Sunday, March 22nd 12:30 - 1:30 The Trial Before Pilate: Jesus is Condemned to Death Sunday, March 30th, 12:30 - 1:30 The Death of the Messiah: Jesus Carries His Cross, Is Crucified, and Dies Sunday, April 19th, 12:30 - 1:30 The Seven Last Words: Jesus the Teacher at Calvary Sunday, April 26th, 12:30 - 1:30 The Resurrection

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LENT

Lent began as a forty-day period of intense spiritual preparation for those men and women who were to be baptized during the great vigil of Easter. The members of the Church prayed in a special way for them during this time. This period of preparation eventually became a time of spiritual renewal for the entire Church. People united with the catechumens by fasting and performing spiritual and corporal works of mercy. With the re-installation of the ancient Rites of Chris-tian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) after the Second Vatican Council, we are asked again to pray during Lent for those who are to be baptized or accepted into the Church at the Easter Vigil. Last Sunday we celebrated the Rite of Sending for Sophia Rodriguez, a girl from our High School, who will baptized at the Easter Vigil this year. This Sunday she will be sent to St. Patrick’s Cathedral to celebrate the Rite of Election along with several thousand candidates for baptism from throughout the Archdiocese. She will write her name in the Book of the Elect and be accepted by Cardinal Dolan for baptism this Easter. Please pray for Sophia Rodriguez, Curt Callen, Frank J. Koziara III, Caitlyn Carriel and Taylor Marie Medina who will be entering the Church this Easter.

ANNUAL CATECHIST MASS AND COMMUNION BREAKFAST

Catechist Gilberte Desir pauses with Bishop Ge-

rald Walsh at the annual Mass and Communion

breakfast honoring catechists at the Riverview,

Hastings-on-Hudson.

Thursday, March 19, 2020 6:30 PM‒Rosary 7:00 PM‒Mass

St. Jean Baptiste Church 76th St. and Lexington, NYC

Sponsored by Our Lady Of Peace Prayer Group

at St. Jean Baptiste Contact Lennix Lewis

at 212-288-5082 ext. 14 or Estela at 917-617-5688

HEALING MASS TO CELEBRATE THE FEAST OF ST. JOSEPH

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SUNDAY FELLOWSHIP

Following the 11:00AM Mass each Sunday we invite everyone in the church to gather for coffee, juices, bagels and fellowship in the High School Auditorium. Enter the Audito-rium through the large doors behind the organ area. We look forward to having you join us.

We have a selection of religious articles in a dis-play case located on the 75th Street side of the church vestibule. Currently our “shop” is open for business on weekdays from 11 AM to 1 PM and af-ter the 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM and 5:30 PM Sunday masses. We are now stocking a beautiful new St. Anne’s devotional candle for your own use or as a special gift for friends.

A big thank you to those who are volunteering to help. Please note, beginning on Saturday, Feb-ruary 22, our collection of hand knit hats will be on sale. The cold weather is yet to come. Be prepared.

A SHOPPING OPPORTUNITY

The weekend collection for Sunday amounted to: Cash: $ 3,256.00 Checks: $ 6,364.00 WeShare: $ 1,277.16 Total: $ 10,897.16 Some financial information...

Our Sunday collection is increasing but still does not cover our weekly payroll. We still hold up the goal of a $15,000 a week collection. Please try to keep up with your weekly donation even when you are away for the week-end. The rental of our facilities covers the remainder of our weekly expenses: heating, electric, gas, telephone, insur-ance, diocesan assessments and repairs.

CONCERNING WeShare

Several parishioners has had some difficulty ma-neuvering the WeShare website when they tried to change the amount of their weekly giving. Should you encounter any difficulty please call STEPHANIE WASCHOW or KATHY MINNIHAN at: (800)-950-9952 x 2435 or (732) 421-2174. They will guide you through the process.

STEWARDSHIP REPORT

FUNDS FOR THE CEILING PROJECT TO BE MATCHED

We have been offered a matching grant of $25,000 for the Ceiling Project from a generous parishioner. Any do-nation you make to the Ceiling Project will be doubled until we reach the $25,000. We hope you will take ad-vantage of this opportunity to double your contribution to maintaining our wonderful building. Be sure to label the donation for the Ceiling Project. Donations toward the matching grant to date: $8,330.00

THANK YOU!

A fellowship of married Catholic couples, who seek to grow in faith, strengthen their marriages and fulfill their vocation according to

God's plan. We socialize in a very friendly environment, without clergy present. Please bring healthy finger food to share, but mostly good spirit and your spouse!

Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at 7-9 PM

Place: SJB Parish House 184 East 76th Street

April 8, April 28, May 20 & June 10

Contact: Kate Owen: Klisowska@aol.com

COUPLES CONNECT!

Connect Couples

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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

There are a few places open in the 2’s program for either the Monday-Wednesday or Tuesday-Thursday sessions at 10:45 AM to 12:45 PM. The tuition will be adjusted ac-

cording to the start time. We offer a loving atmosphere where the little ones can come and have their first school experience, making new friends and learning how nice it can be to go to school. Call the Director, Pauline Reenock, at: (212) 472-2853 ext. 2 for more information and to arrange a visit.

Religious Education classes are available for children preparing for First Holy Communion, Confirmation and their continuing religious education. To register for Religious Education, new families will need a copy of the child's baptismal certificate. For more information call Ms. Joan T. Prenty, Director of Religious Education, at 212-288-5082, ext 30, or email her at: stjeanbaptistereligioused@gmail.com.

ST. JEAN BAPTISTE TODDLER GROUP

WEEKLY CHILDREN’S MASS

Celebrated in the Great Hall of the Community Center on Sundays when there is no

Family Mass in the church.

We invite families with young children to at-tend this special kid-friendly celebration of the Eucharist. The Mass will take no longer than 20-25 minutes. We will be singing child appropriate songs. Father Kamas will celebrate this Mass. This Mass is also meant to afford an opportu-nity for children and parents of the parish to meet one another. So come on down! Please enter the Community Center by the ramp at the east end of the rectory building. We will start the Mass promptly at 9:30 AM.

CONFIRMATION

Are you a baptized adult Catholic in need of the Sacrament of Confirmation? Consider this the year you complete your Sacraments of Initiation. Begin now to prepare for our parish celebration of Adult Confirmation on Pentecost Sunday, May 31, 2020. Please contact Ms. Joan Prenty at 212-288-5082 ext 30 or at stjeanbaptistereligioused@gmail.com.

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EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT DAILY

MASSES

WEEKDAYS 7:30 – 12:15 SATURDAY

12:15 – 5:30 Vigil Mass SUNDAY

9:00 – 11:00 – 5:30 – 7:30 HOLY DAYS

7:30-12:15-7:00pm

LITURGY OF THE HOURS

RECITED ON WEEKDAYS 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM

SUNDAY 5:00 PM

RECONCILIATION

WEEKDAYS 11:45 until 12:10

SATURDAY 11:45 until 12:10 5:00 until 5:30

ROSARY

WEEKDAYS AND SATURDAY AT 11:55

NOVENA PRAYERS

St. Anne – Tuesday after the 12:15 Mass St. Peter Julian Eymard –

Thursday after the 12:15 Mass

SCHEDULE OF RELIGIOUS SERVICES

JOIN OUR FAITH COMMUNITY

BAPTISM & MARRIAGES

Please register at the parish house, 184 East 76th Street any day during office hours from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily or fill out a registra-tion card found at the rear of the church.

To schedule a baptism or a marriage please contact the parish office to speak with Fr. John Kamas.

The Charismatic Prayer Meeting will be held every Sun-day from 2:30 PM-4:30 PM in Wave Café of the High School, 173 East 75th Street. You may enter through the ramp on 76th Street at the east end of the rectory building .

CHARISMATIC PRAYER MEETING

Please call the parish office to schedule a home visit. with one of the priests. 212-288-5082 Ext. 10

COMMUNION TO THE SICK AND HOMEBOUND

INTERCESSORY PRAYER GROUP

Every Sunday, the Our Lady of Peace Prayer Group leads an hour of intercessory prayer from 12:30pm until 1:30pm in the church. Everyone is invited to join them. We ask all parishioners to submit the names of friends or relatives who need prayers for what- ever reason. You may bring your intentions to the group personally on Sun-day, or leave them with the parish receptionist who will pass them on to the group. Praying for each other is a power-ful ministry. Please consider joining the group for the prayer. But also remember to bring your intentions to them or to the rectory office.

Make an appointment with Joan Prenty, Director of Religious Education, through the Parish Office by calling 212-288-5082 ext 30. Leave your contact information.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BECOMING A CATHOLIC?

ARE YOU AN ADULT DESIRING FIRST COMMUNION AND/OR CONFIRMATION?

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SUNDAY, March 1 FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT MISSIONARY CORPORATE APPEAL

9:00 Sr. Margaret Brennan 11:00 Thomas Hogan 5:30 Lennix Lewis 7:30 Special Intentions

MONDAY, March 2 7:30 Vincent McDonnell 12:15 Emma Castle

TUESDAY, March 3 7:30 For the Parishioners 12:15 For all enrolled In the Shrine of St. Anne

WEDNESDAY, March 4 7:30 The Feeley Family 12:15 Marion & Joseph McBride

THURSDAY, March 5 7:30 Vincent McDonnell 12:15 Marguerite Fenton

FRIDAY, March 6 7:30 Vicki Kohlwey 12:15 Russell Battaglia SATURDAY, March 7 12:15 Joseph Yuguing 5:30 Arcangelo Rosato

COMMUNITY CENTER SCHEDULE

MARCH 2 – MARCH 8

MONDAY: 9:00-1:00 Toddler Program (Toddler Center) 4:00-6:30 Broadway Babies (Toddler Center) 4:00-9:00 Broadway Babies (Great Hall)

TUESDAY: 9:00-1:00 Toddler Program (Toddler Center) 4:00-5:00 Broadway Babies (Toddler Center) 3:00-9:00 Broadway Babies (Great Hall)

WEDNESDAY: 9:00-1:00 Toddler Program (Toddler Center) 1:00-2:30 Senior Luncheon (Great Hall) 4:00-5:00 Broadway Babies (Toddler Center) 3:00-9:00 Broadway Babies (Great Hall)

THURSDAY: 9:00-1:00 Toddler Program (Toddler Center) 3:15-6:00 Broadway Babies (Toddler Center) 4:00-5:00 Broadway Babies (Great Hall) 6:00-10:00 Elegant Dance (Great Hall)

FRIDAY: 3:30-4:45 Broadway Babies (Great Hall) 6:00-8:00 OA Meeting (Room #2) 6:00-10:00 Manhattan Dance (Great Hall)

SATURDAY: 9:00-6:00 Broadway Babies (Great Hall)

SUNDAY: 9:00-6:00 Broadway Babies (Toddler Center) 9:00-6:00 Broadway Babies (Great Hall) The Center is available for seasonal and special events, parties, business meetings, wedding receptions, lectures and birthdays. For information as to availability and rates, contact the Director: Mr. Antonio Boccia at (212) 472-2853, ext. 1.

MASS INTENTIONS

SENIOR LUNCHEON All are welcome at the Senior Luncheons which take place every Wednesday at 1:00 PM in the Great Hall of the Community Center. SPREAD THE WORD! WE OFFER THE BEST LUNCHES IN THE AREA. Donation: $3.00.

SAVE THE DATE

You are invited to join us for a special presen-tation in the Theatre at St. Jeans on Friday, March 27 at 6:30 PM. Naples’ Splendid Century, 1606-1700 Our parishioner and lector, Associate Prof. Emeritus at The Pennsylvania State Univer-sity, Jeanne Chenault Porter will be returning to lead us on an artistic exploration of Naples, still one of the most extraordinary and unique cities of Europe. In the seventeenth century it thrived as a center of art and culture second only to Paris, attracting major painters (e.g. Caravaggio) from all over Europe. Prof. Porter always treats us to a most enjoy-able and informative evening. No admission charge. Free will donation sug-gested.

PARISH STAFF John A. Kamas, SSS Pastor Bernard Camiré, SSS, Parish Associate Lennix Lewis, Chief Operating Officer Richard Owen, Jr., Director of Music Ministries Francisco Francisco, Facilities Manager Antonio Boccia, Director of Community Center & Rentals Manuel Batista, Technical Director of the Theater Joan Prenty, Director of Religious Education Pauline Reenock, Director of the Toddler Program Angelica Contreras, Parish Secretary Michael Lorch, Trustee Jay Mitchell, Trustee CONGREGATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT Bernard Camiré, SSS, Parish Associate Ernest Falardeau, SSS, Ecumenical Ministry James Hayes, SSS, Chaplain, Mt. Sinai Hospital John A. Kamas, SSS Pastor Thomas Mella, SSS, Community Hospitality Michael O’Leary, SSS, Community Treasurer Michael Perez, SSS, Novice Master Norman Pelletier, SSS, in residence

PARISH OFFICE 212-288-5082 Ext. 10 184 East 76 Street, NY, NY 10021 Website: www.sjbny.org Email: sjbrcc@yahoo.com

CONGREGATION OF NOTRE DAME ST. JEAN BAPTISTE HIGH SCHOOL Maria Cassano, CND, Principal Alla Anne Boyle, CND Simone Camiré, CND Barbara Costello, CND, Tutor Eileen Good, CND, Bursar

IN RESIDENCE Anne Conlon, CND Nancy Downing, CND Helen Klimeck, CND Ann Marie Levangie, CND Motoko Takahashi, CND

SUPPORT STAFF Robert Addison Ana Maria Feliz Lara Wilfredo Ortiz Isaac Quansah José Reyes

St Jean Baptiste High School 173 EAST 75 STREET, NY, NY 10021 212-288-1645 www.stjean.org Toddler Play Group 212-472-2853, ext. 2