Third Sunday of Lent

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Readings for the Week of March 23, 2014

Monday 2 Kgs 5:1-15ab; Ps 42; Lk 4:24-30 Tuesday The Annunciation of the Lord Is 7:10-14, 8:10; Ps 40; Heb 10:4-10; Lk 1:26-38 Wednesday Dt 4:1, 5-9; Ps 147; Mt 5:17-19 Thursday Jer 7:23-28; Ps 95; Lk 11:14-23 Friday Hos 14:2-10; Ps 81; Mk 12:28-34 Saturday Hos 6:1-6; Ps 51; Lk 18:9-14

This Sunday’s Readings Next Sunday’s Readings Exodus 17:3-7 1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a Romans 5:1-2, 5-8 Ephesians 5:8-14 John 4:5-42 John 9:1-41 Gather Book 1022 Gather Book 1025

Third Sunday of Lent Weekend of March 22/23

In today’s first reading from the Book of Exodus, we hear of the hardships endured by the people of Israel on their wilderness journey out of Egypt. The wilder-ness is a demanding place for human life. Just trying to survive can seriously test our faith. In the Israelites’ journey away from a life of slavery and oppression, harsh conditions challenged their trust in the God who liberated them. But their transition brings them closer to God, and they are constantly reminded of the Lord’s gracious provision and nurturing. Good stewards be-lieve the Lord’s presence transforms their own “wilderness” experiences into a place of divine mercy and nourishment. Reflect on your own “wilderness” experiences. How has God been present for you and nourished you in times of transition?

— From the March 2014 Catholic Stewardship e-Bulletin (http://catholicstewardship.com/)

Prayer List

Note: If you would like to submit a name please contact the Parish Office at 241-6314 x122. Names are removed after 4 weeks unless re-submitted.

Altar Servers Mar 29 -5:30 pm M Grzegorzewski / M Kesler Mar 30 -7:00 am R Dillion / J Warner Mar 30 -8:30 am A Fritz / B Kruszynski Mar 30 -10:30 am B / D Eisele Mar 30 -Noon R / K Cunanan Mar 30 -5:30 pm A / B Duffy

ILLNESS Ginger Arnot Robert Kirchoff James Barnett Frank Kosmerl Ann Bozich Roger Kreighbaum Mary Agnes Bussing Edward Kult Shelbi Crouch Rita McAtee John Danyluk Angie Meyer Ron Deal Aaron Miles Kristen Decker Chris Naberhaus Charles Dunkel Linda Osborne Carolyn Farris Madeline Owens John Folger Joe Pieczko Ron Forrester Sharon Provencher Jim Guthrie Virginia Schell Denise Hake Ralph Scheller Andrea Heinrich Ginger Semenick Laura Henneberry Judy Sieferman Michael Hession Jackie Tucker Claire Holloran Shirley Volz Jan Hosp Brenda Williams Stephen Jensen

MONDAY, March 24, 2014

9:00 a.m. Special Intention TUESDAY, March 25, 2014

9:00 a.m. Catherine Brown by Russ & Marty Forsythe

WEDNESDAY, March 26, 2014

9:00 a.m. Special Intention

5:30 p.m. For the Parish

THURSDAY, March 27, 2014

9:00 a.m. Emmett "Al" Thompson by Jim & Anne Traub

FRIDAY, March 28, 2014

9:00 a.m. Special Intention

7:30 p.m. Stations of the Cross SATURDAY, March 29, 2014

5:30 p.m. Wilma "Scotty" Gorjanc by Idell Akers

SUNDAY, March 30, 2014

7:00 a.m. Lawrence “Bo” Connor by John Grande

8:30 a.m. Special Intention

10:30 a.m. Martha Steiner by Tony & Monica Steiner

Noon Bart Geib by Brian & Dolores Sidor

5:30 p.m. For the Parish

Resources & Development

March 28, 2014

Callers: J Csenar, J Giesting,

L Slevin

Team #1 — Co-Captains: N Elliott, K. Strube; Early Setup: M Palmer; Supply: K Compton; Salad: M Jackson; Fryer: J Hinshaw; Workers: P Bontempo, E Hileman, A Johnson, R/J Vachon, A Rendes, P Rocca; Bakers: C Evans, D Albrecht, T Smith, D Record; Biscuits: TBD

Parish Stewardship of Treasure

We will celebrate Mass every Wednesday during Lent at 5:30

pm followed by the Sacrament of

Reconciliation. In addition, from 6:30 p.m. to 8

p.m. on April 2, priests will be

available in churches across central and southern Indiana to

celebrate the sacrament of penance with anyone who comes and wishes to experience God’s mercy and forgiveness.

Join us for STATIONS OF THE CROSS

every Friday at 7:30pm in the church during LENT.

http://www.ourcatholicfaith.org/stations/menu.html

Good Friday (April 18th) is a day of complete fast and ab-stinence. Other Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence. Fasting binds all those over 18 and under 59 years of age; only one full meal is allowed, with the quantity of the oth-er two meals not exceeding that of the full meal; eating between meals is not permitted. Abstinence binds all over the age of 14; no meat is allowed.

Jacob’s Well The well is a symbol of life. The Formula is simple: no water, no life! Thus, everyone comes to the well to sustain their physical life as well as the lives of their animals. But the well symbolizes more than physical well-being. The water at the well speaks of spiritual life, reminding us, from our Christian perspective, of baptism. We sense that Jesus is baptizing the Samaritan woman as he lovingly gazes at her and says in essence, “you count.” The well is the site of conversation, a conversation that leads to conversion. Coming together at this source of life-giving water, Jesus and the Samaritan woman enter into dialogue. They are truly present to one another as they converse and banter and ponder about buckets, cisterns, and numerous husbands. The woman begins to move in another direction and has taken on a new identity. All this at the well, the site of dialogue and insight. The well has yet another dimension: leisure. Jesus has been on a journey and is tired. The woman, too, probably had a busy morning and found life wearisome. Two tired pilgrims come together for a moment of respite. One senses that they truly enjoy each other’s company. Jacob’s well is yet another answer to the question: “Is the Lord in our midst or not?” How can the answer be anything other than “the Lord is truly in our midst” – at the well, at the table, at our retiring and ris-ing.

Meditation: What do the well and water symbolize for you?

Prayer: Jesus, our life-giver, your love is inclusive. Everyone is welcome into your presence. You continue to come to us at the well of baptism, at the table of the Eucharist, on the dusty roads of human history. May we be attentive to your voice; may we experience the love and mercy in you compassionate heart.

Source: Daily Reflections for Lent, Bishop Robert F Morneau

Liturgical Commission

Week of: March 16

Weekly Budget $ 26,346.15

Weekly Offering $ 24,445.07

YTD Actual $ 970,174.36

YTD Budget $ 974,807.69

YTD Gain (Loss) $ (4,633.33)

Endowment $ 77.00

Special Collection $ 90.00

Faith Formation

Today, March 23rd Regular meeting 9:30am-10:20am Biltmore house March 30th & April 6th no meeting spring break

Middle School Youth Ministry

The next scheduled meetings are April 6th, & 13th. April 26th is bowling and there is no meeting April 27th.

CCD Classes: CCD is religion classes held for children 3 years old through elementary grades attending public school. We meet Sunday mornings from 9:30 am to 10:20 am. For more information contact Sr. Mary Ann 241-6314 ext.119 or email at mdefazio@saintchristopherparish.org

CCD classes are not scheduled for March 23 & 30. The next classes meet April 6, 13, & 27

MOM’S GROUP – First Gathering!

SATURDAY, APRIL 12th

10:00 am – 11:30 am

JACOB’S WELL – Church lower level

Are you looking for support as a mom?

Do you need some ‘mom’ time with other women? Do you need time to integrate your faith and spirituality

as a mom?

If you have the desire to be part of a mom’s group come to

our first get together. Time will be spent getting to know one another, in prayer, sharing

hopes for future gatherings, etc. If interested

please call Sr. Kathy 241-6314 ext.114 or email at kmorrisey@saintchristopherparish.org.

Adult Faith Corner Check out the new class being offered, The Bible before the Bible; How to understand the Bible, Why there are so many versions, Where to start, etc. We meet Sunday mornings at 9:30am in the Damascus Room. Open to all adults. No bible required. More information can be found on the St. Chris website.

Mr. Dave Montgomery’s 4th Grade CCD class

BOOK CLUB

The book club of St. Christopher, Explorations in Faith,

meets the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm in Jacob's

Well (lower level of the church.) We are a relaxed, fun group

who share thoughts about a different book each

month. The book selection for April 3rd is

“Gilead” by Marilynne Robinson. Even

if you haven’t finished reading the book please

feel free to come to the gathering and

participate in the open discussion. For more

information please contact Betty Reagan at

betty.reagan50@gmail.com or Kathy Hoya at

kakhoya@gmail.com or see the St. Chris website

Mark Mazza representing Diocesan Publications (our Bulletin Publisher) will be at the parish soon. He will re-new present advertisements & be seeking new ones. If interested, please call the parish office, or contact Mark directly at mmazza@diocesan.com / 513-392-6768 . We feel this is an excellent service and that the sponsors get good coverage with their ads. THANKS TO YOU and DIOCESAN PUBLICATIONS, the bulletin is pub-lished weekly at no cost to Saint Christopher Parish.

Christian Services

Note: There will be A 5th Sunday Collection March 30th Thank You for your generous support.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: Saturday, March 29 – Help at the SVdP Distribution Center, 1201 E. Maryland Street. Meet in the St. Chris parking lot at 7:30 am. Or be at the SVdP Distribution Center at 8 am. We work until about noon.

We need help every Saturday at the SVdP Food Pantry (3001 E. 30th Street) and Distribution Center (1201 E Maryland St). The hours are flexible to fit your availability. We could really use some help driving the Distribution Center trucks to help pick up furniture.

SVdP Help Line 317-687-0169 SVdP Donation Line 317-687-1006

Answered Monday through Friday 8:30-4:30 www.svdpindy.org

For additional information about SVdP or if you have a truck, car, or van you would like to donate, please contact Paul Guenin at 244-9731 or padeceje2@aol.com

RESPECT FOR LIFE

NURSING HOME VISITS What a wonderful welcome it is for those living in nearby nursing homes to receive a visit from St. Chris parishioners. Members of the Respect for Life Committee have

been blessed by participating in this needed ministry. We would like to extend this invitation for any interested parish-ioner to join us! More volunteers allows us to schedule more visits to more facilities.

Even if you are not interested in attending Respect Life meet-ings, you can help with this ministry.

PREDATORY LENDERS Businesses that loan money to people at a high interest rate prey on the needy and charge them almost “loan shark” legal rates, for short term loans. People have difficulty paying them back & lose their assets in the process. Some Pawn Shops & Payday Loans employ this practice.

UPCOMING RESPECT LIFE EVENTS: March & April Nursing Home Visits - please contact Mark

Folger at m_folger@msn.com if you would like to join us. 40 Days For Life Vigil at the 86th St & Georgetown

Planned Parenthood Clinic - every day during Lent - 40 days of prayer and fasting. Additional details are available at http://40daysforlife.com/indianapolis.html

Respect Life Topics from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ website @ http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/index.cfm.

For all Archdiocesan Pro-Life events, Newsletter, & links go to: www.archindy.org/prolife

Living Water

The Saturday before Ash Wednesday I attended The Women's Conference at

The Cathedral of Ignatius Loyola, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The Most Reverend Gerald M. Barbarito, D.D.. J.C.L.

presided at the afternoon mass.

The tempo of the Mass was slowed by:

Raising the Host for a full minute, Kneeling for a full minute,

Raising the Chalice for a full minute, Kneeling for a full minute,

and again, raising the Host and Chalice together for a full minute.

I was profoundly moved.

I felt as if the Living Water from the side of Christ Crucified had descended upon all in attendance.

The Precious Body and Blood:

The Living Water, has truly prepared me for Lent.

Trudy Bledsoe

CATHOLIC CHARITIES NEWS

The five Indiana bishops of Indiana are currently working on a pastoral letter on the issue of poverty in Indiana. They will

be recommending a set of solutions to help reduce the num-

ber of individuals and families suffering the indignity of pov-

erty. The pastoral letter should be published this spring. In the meantime, you can join the conversation of ways to

effectively reduce poverty in our state. Send your ideas for

reducing poverty to http://www.archindy.org/cc/

SumbitYourIdeastoEndPovertyinIndiana.html

Saint Vincent de Paul

Food Pantry

A special Thank You to eve-ryone who responded to the need for personal care items,

laundry detergent, and dish soap, Your generosity is appreciated. God Bless You!

Around the Archdiocese

Next week - Catholic Relief Services Collection

This collection supports six Catholic agencies that touch more than

100 million lives around the world. The funds from this collection

provide food to the hungry, support to displaced refuges, and show

Christ’s love and respect to all people. Next week, please give gen-

erously to the Catholic Relief Services Collection and help Jesus in

disguise.

Dear Fr. Mike, Fr. Dave, & the St. Christopher

Funeral committee,

On behalf of the Peterson Family we would

like to thank all of you so much for all of the

help, support, & kindness you showed us since we

lost Jay. We never imagined a funeral could be

lovely but many of our family & friends have

told us the service was perfect. We really loved

the way you made the service so personal & such

a celebration of Jay’s life. We cannot say

enough about the wonderful luncheon that was

prepared by the Funeral Committee & how ac-

commodating & kind everybody was.

With Heartfelt Thanks,

Jay Peterson Family

MESSAGE FROM FR. DAVE

If we think about the wind we know it can be a gentle breeze, bringing comfort on a hot summer day or it can also be a mighty gale, toppling trees and even buildings. Over time a steady wind reshapes shorelines and rock formations. Though it is unseen, the wind is constantly changing the world we live in. And so it’s not surprising that wind is also a symbol of the Holy Spirit, although unseen, the spirit moves in our lives and in the world. The Holy Spirit is the primary gift that we receive in confirmation, so that we can grow even stronger in our calling to be Disciples of Christ. On March 12th, Archbishop To-bin, confirmed 27 of our high schoolers; Amanda Baker, Alex Betz, Matthew Bottorff, Contance Ann Brahm, Kathryn Alice Brannan, Zachary Brodnik, Brendon Matthew Clark, Marcos Alexander Delcam-po, Alan Duffy, Brian Duffy, Alexander Ebenroth, Steven Philip Federspiel, Brooke Ferguson, Grace Ful-wider, Anneliese Legge, Noah James Paul Lynch, Kyle Gene Matter, Jack Mulligan, Natalie Owens, McKenzi Sidor, Shade Smith, Molly Steckler, Philip Steckler, Jacob Strain, Collin Sweeney, Sam Rusler, and Joseph David Warner, we congratulate them and their parents on this occasion. Baptism, confirmation, and the Eucharist together are called “Sacraments of Initiation” and together celebrate a person’s new life in Christ and his or her membership in the church. All three sacraments are sometimes celebrated as part of the same ritual. Such as at the Easter vigil, when unbaptized adults be-come fully initiated into the church. The Eastern Catholic churches confer all three sacraments on an in-fant or child at their baptism. We Roman Catholics are anointed by the Bishop with chrism on the fore-head but the Eastern Catholic churches also anoint the eyes, nose, ears, lips, chest, back, hands, and feet to symbolize that the whole person now belongs to Christ. The New Testament wastes no time and we are told that Jesus is conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of his mother. The Spirit leads him into the dessert to undergo temptations and this is the Gospel for the first Sunday of Lent. Later Jesus is filled with the Spirit at his baptism and promises that this same Spirit which is his full measure, shall be given to his followers. He suffers, dies and is raised up and at Pentecost that Spirit is poured forth in abundance upon the new people of God and we often call this the birthday of the church.