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Our Mother of Perpetual Help Church March 25, 2018Ephrata, PA Palm Sunday

My Dear Parishioners,

Today we begin the celebration of Passion Week (known as Holy Week.) These next few days we will journey with Jesus on His way to the Cross and His Death and we will anticipate His glorious and wondrous Resurrection on Easter Sunday. We call this week Holy Week because it is the time when we find out and discover who God is and how much He loves us. We focus on the events of Jesus’ Passion, Death, and Resurrection. We refer to these events as the Paschal Mystery. Today we begin to focus intently on the heart of the mystery of salvation. It is the mystery of dying and rising, the mystery of humiliation and exaltation, the mystery of suffering and glorification, the mystery of death in order to live eternally, and the mystery of defeat which is crowned with victory.

In today’s Scriptures we hear about and reflect upon the story of Jesus’ obedience to His Father’s plan. We also see and experience Jesus’ unconditional forgiving love for each one of us. Today’s liturgy includes two Gospel passages from St. Mark. The first passage describes Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The second passage is a bold proclamation about Jesus’ Passion and Death.

As told in today’s first Gospel passage Jesus’ Passion and Death is a story built upon a strong and sustained contrast between the faithfulness of Jesus and the fickleness of all but a handful of His followers. It is a story of the fickleness of the crowd who today shout “Hosanna” (which in Hebrew means, “Save us, we pray”) and “Crucify Him” on Good Friday. It is a story based on the paradox of triumph and tragedy. On the one hand there is the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and on the other hand there is the proclamation of His passion and death. It is a story in which agony and ecstasy are combined. It is a story full of contradictions. To call today “Passion Sunday,” for example, emphasizes suffering and death, while the words “Palm Sunday” emphasizes glory and victory. To the extent that the word “Passion” might imply that Jesus was a passive victim, the word is a misnomer. Jesus was a willing and active partner with His heavenly Father in the work of salvation. The Passion narrative is considered to be the heart of the Gospel message because it is the story and

source from which springs our rich and vibrant Catholic faith.

Jesus’ Passion and Death is truly a paradox. It is the story of a “Suffering Servant” who is at the same time a royal figure. Jesus’ Passion is a story of both servant-hood and glory. His Passion story is reminiscent of the story of the Suffering Servant that the prophet Isaiah describes in today’s first reading. Both the Suffering Servant and Jesus had unflinchingly borne all the lethal mixture of evil of which human beings are capable of: betrayal, prejudice, denial, fickleness, misunderstanding, indifference, hardness, avarice, jealousy, ignorance, and brutality.

Today’s first reading is from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. The Servant of the Lord makes a prominent appearance in the second half of Isaiah’s book. This Servant represents all that is best in Israel; contrasting especially with the kings of Israel who did not serve God well. These kings searched for security in worldly resources rather than in God. The end result was that they weakened the kingdom of Israel, ultimately brought its collapse, and placed their people in exile. Today’s passage (Isaiah 50:4-7) is part of the Third Servant Song. The oracles in this potion of Isaiah are addressed to a people much in need of encouragement. Years of exile from their homeland have had a profound effect on them. After so long a time they are reconciled to the idea and fact that they will have to remain in Babylonian Captivity forever. But God has other plans for them. God will bring them back to their homeland. The task of God’s Servant was to reveal His plan to them and try to rekindle their faith in God.

The Servant was up to the task. The Servant had a prophetic mission to Israel revealing God’s plan but Israel refused to believe that He spoke for God. This refusal led to frequent humiliations (beatings, plucking of beard, buffets and spitting). Yet the Servant resolutely accepts such ignominy because he is so focused on doing the will of God. The Servant is totally confident that God will support him in the fight (described as a legal dispute) and will ultimately vindicate him. Ignominy and shame will not be the last word.

www.omph.org (Church & School) www.hbgdiocese.org (Diocese of Harrisburg)

http://www.hbgdiocese.org/


St. Paul in his Letter to the Philippians (today’s second reading) puts the events of Holy Week in a beautiful perspective. Paul’s Letter is a hymn which is a summary of Jesus’ life (The Paschal Mystery: “the Gospel in a nutshell.”) It traces the movement of the Son of God from heaven to earth and back to His Father: His Existence before all time, His Incarnation, His Passion, Death and Resurrection. The hymn points out that in becoming man Jesus divested Himself, not of His divinity, but of the status of divine glory that was correctly His. Moreover, Jesus assumed the role of a Servant. It all comes to a climax in His Passion and Death: “He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.” This was the greatest expression of the hallmarks of Jesus’ life; humility and self-renunciation. Jesus “empties” Himself of His divinity to take on the cross for the sake of God’s beloved but fallen people.

Today‘s second Gospel passage is a proclamation of Mark’s Passion narrative.. For Mark every important aspect of the life and ministry of Jesus is seen as fulfilling the Scriptures. Mark’s narrative was told and retold because it contains the very heart of the Christian message: the saving activity of Jesus carried out through His Suffering, Death and Resurrection.

Mark’s entire Passion narrative lays bare the contradiction of Jesus’ life and the paradox of God’s reign. Mark points out several key factors in his account. First, that the initial fear of the Jewish religious leaders shows that Jesus had a tremendous following among the Jewish people. However the people cried out for the release of Barabbas and demanded that Jesus be put to death. Secondly( among His intimate followers) only the women remained faithful. One woman anointed Him while the other women kept watch at His crucifixion and took note of where He was buried. Thirdly, of the men who knew him well, Judas betrayed Him, Simon Peter denied knowing Him three times and the others fled for their safety and hid in a room. Finally, it was a foreigner (a Centurion) who publicly acclaimed Jesus’ divinity as he acknowledged Jesus as the Son of God at the moment of His death.

The Passion account we heard today is as much a story about us as it is about Jesus. In Mark’s

account of Jesus’ condemnation, suffering and crucifixion we confront the greed, betrayal, and cruelty that we all are capable of. But in the person of Jesus God takes on our humanity in all its sinfulness in order to move us beyond our failings. Jesus enables us to realize that God’s grace and compassion is in our lives. As we journey with Jesus this week and remember all that He endured for us, let us be aware that His suffering and pain transforms death from humiliation into the beginning of something much greater and sacred: Resurrection and Eternal Life. Have a blessed Holy Week.

Love & prayers,

Fr. John

EASTER TRIDUUMHoly Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil/Mass constitute the Easter Triduum. These are the 3 highest holy days in the Catholic calendar. We urge every parishioner, wherever you may be on these days, to attend the main service on each day: Mass on Holy Thursday), the Good Friday Liturgy Service (commemorating Jesus' death), and the Easter Vigil and Mass (celebrating redemption and resurrection

HOLY THURSDAY – MARCH 29

Tenebrae 9:00 AMThe Lord’s Supper Mass 7:00

GOOD FRIDAY – MARCH 30 Tenebrae 9 AM

Liturgy of the Passion 3 PM Stations of the Cross 7PM

HOLY SATURDAY – MARCH 31 Tenebrae 9:00 AM

Easter Basket Blessing Tradition 11 AMEaster Vigil Mass 8:00 PM EASTER SUNDAY – APRIL 1

7:30, 9:00, 11:00

Lenten Appeal2018-19 Bishop’s Annual Lenten Appeal




“LOVE MADE VISIBLE.”My Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I am asking you to consider making a gift to our 2018-19 Bishop’s Annual Lenten Appeal. The ministries and agencies whose operational needs are funded by our Bishop’s Annual Lenten Appeal serve thousands of our brothers and sisters throughout our Parish, our Diocese, and south central Pennsylvania. Our Parish benefits directly from Bishop Gainer’s Lenten Appeal through assistance in areas such as Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Catholic School Education, Marriage and Family Life Programs, Religious Education Programs, Prison Ministry, Ministry to Persons with Disabilities, Catholic Charities and our Parish Benevolent Society.

Our Parish assessment goal for the 2018-19 fiscal year is $101, 300. As of March 19th 285 households have pledged $71,717.09 and we have collected $48,876.59. There are 1268 households registered in our Parish. I hope and pray that every household will contribute to our appeal, enabling us to reach our goal and support the mission of our Church. Remember, all gifts that exceed our assessment goal will be returned to our Parish and placed in our Parish Savings Account.

May you and your loved ones be abundantly blessed by our God for your continued commitment and sacrifices to Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish and to our Diocese of Harrisburg. Be assured of my prayers, blessings and love.

Sincerely in Christ,Fr. John

TEACHING POSITION OPENAT OMPH SCHOOL

Our Mother of Perpetual Help School in Ephrata, PA is seeking a fifth grade teacher for the 2018-19 school year. Interested candidates must be a practicing Catholic holding a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree and PA Instructional I teaching certificate. Applicants must complete the online Youth Protection Program of the Harrisburg Diocese and provide current clearances (PS State Police, Child Abuse Clearance and FBI Fingerprinting) along with employment information compliant with Pennsylvania Act 168 Regulations. Benefits include medical coverage, dental plan, life insurance policy and 401K plan. For more information please contact Rev. John McLoughlin, C.Ss.R. (Pastor) at (717) 733-9641 or e-mail: johnmack57@ hotmail.com

The second collection today is for the Easter Flowers.

PRINCIPAL POSITIONAT OMPH SCHOOL

The Diocese of Harrisburg Catholic Schools Department has announced a Principal Opening for the 2018 – 2019 school year: for: Our Mother of Perpetual Help School, Ephrata (www.omph.org);

Qualifications: Practicing, knowledgeable Catholic; Thorough understanding of Catholic School

Philosophy; Commitment to modeling the values of Catholic Educational Leadership; PA Administrators Certificate (or in process); Catechetical Certification (or in process) and 5 years teaching experience. For

more information see the Employment listings on the Diocese of Harrisburg website: www.hbgdiocese.org.

Send resume and letter of interest by March 31, 2018 to: Livia Riley, Superintendent of Schools; Diocese of Harrisburg; 4800 Union Deposit Road; Harrisburg, PA

17111-3710 or by email: [email protected].

MASS INTENTIONSMonday, March 26 7:00 Jean Gould 9:00 Doug Reside Tuesday, March 27 7:00 Kath Vanderheijden 9:00 Mary Mauer Wednesday, March 28 7:00 Helen Gentile 9:00 Nabue CamilleGillot Thursday, March 29 9:00 Tenebrae 7:00 For the Priesthood Friday, March 30 9:00 Tenebrae

Saturday, March 31 9:00 Tenebrae 8:00 For the ParishionersSunday, April 1, Easter Sunday 7:30 For the Parishioners 9:00 For the Parishioners 11:00 For the Parishioners

IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERSWe will be publishing the names of your dear loved ones who are seriously ill or injured. After the period of one month their names will be removed. For example, names announced in the bulletin the third




week of the month will be removed the third week of the following month. If at that time prayers are still needed, please feel free to contact the parish office, and we will be more than happy to re-publish your loved one’s name.

March 18: Margaret Gardner, Jane Muldowney, Brenda Crawford, Jennifer Ranker, Janet Tomko, Jean Givler, Abigail Lowe-Critchfield, Michael Lillis, Richard Warner, Jim Lehmier, Tonya Stoner, Kevin Kaiser, Jody Shimp, Joe Ferrara, Anna Lesher, Pat Frey, Florence Windish, Gloria Reynolds.

March 4: Anna Mae Finkey, Susan Buchler.

WERE YOU MARRIED IN 1968? In honor of your 50th Wedding Anniversary,

there will be a special Mass and reception on Sunday, July 8, at 2 PM. at Good

Shepherd Parish in Camp Hill. Bishop Ronald W. Gainer will be the celebrant. To receive an invitation, please contact your parish office.

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENTFirst, we cannot see our own sins, both our small sins and our big sins. Lust, selfishness, pride, self-righteousness, anger—any of these can blind us, just as they blinded David.

Second, God always pursues us, both when we are close to him and when we are separated from him. He always inspires our minds. He always sends angels and other people to help us. He does what he can, by any means, to help us confess our sins and draw closer to him.

Third, God’s mercy is unfathomable. Even David’s acts of adultery and murder didn’t keep God from pursuing him and fulfilling his plan for the king. The moment we repent, God’s love and mercy will well up in our hearts, just as it did for David.

SANCTUARY LAMPYou may have the Sanctuary Lamp burn for a sick or deceased loved one for a donation of $5 to defray the cost of the candles. This week the candle burns for John A. John Coleman.

BENEVOLENT SOCIETYWe are constantly reevaluating our needs at the OMPH Community Food Bank run by our parish Benevolent Society. We are currently in need of Peanut butter, jelly, boxed dinners, egg

noodles, & tuna. Please place items in the food bank

crate in the narthex of the church. We are amazed and thankful by the support of our parishioners.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2018Mark your calendars and save the date for this year's Vacation Bible School July 16-20, 2018! At this year's VBS our kids will get Shipwrecked and discover how JESUS RESUCES. As we gear up for this great week we are looking for a few more adult volunteers to make it an amazing week for the kids. If you are interested in helping out please contact Laura Kauffman at (717) 575-8221

BOY SCOUTS EASTER FOOD COLLECTIONThe Boy Scouts will be doing a good collection of good for the Food Bank after Masses this weekend March 24 and 25. Jen Hartman

"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” –Ghandi

MENS RETREATNEUMANN UNIVERSITY

Join other men from OMPH on June 23-24 at Neumann University, Aston PA. Something new for ALL MEN! The weekend includes enriching talks, fellowship, food, prayer, and a fun game of football. Men, what will your Legacy be? Come and find out! Call Vince Mento at 610-420-2781.

RADIATE YOUTH GROUPNews from Radiate Youth Group: Our next youth group meeting is Sunday April 8 th from 3-5:30 . Have your teen bring $5 to meeting to participate in going bowling at Dutch Lanes. Prayer service to follow game. Also, during Holy Week, I encourage the youth to take part in the blessings of all the special services offered during this very special time. If they need a ride or someone to sit with, please contact me at 717-989-8900. Thanks! God bless! In His Service, Denise Ives


RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CORNER: This Week’s Corporal Work of Mercy

Bury The Dead:Send a card or note to someone

who has recently lost a loved one.

Visit the cemetery plot of a lost loved one.

Pre-Plan your own funeral Mass for your loved ones.

This Week’s Spiritual Work of Mercy

Pray For The Living And The Dead:

Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet for



THE 100TH ANNIVERSARYTHE CONGREGATION OF THE MISSIONARY

SISTERS OF ST. BENEDICT

FESTIVE MASS AND DINNER

SATURDAY, APRIL 21 AT 5PMDuring the First World War, Sister Jadwiga Jozefa Kulesza saw destruction, the tormented people and the many children left orphan. So under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit she set out to found a group of like minded women using the spirituality of St. Benedict. Thus The Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of St. Benedict was approved on June 24, 1917.

During the following years the Sisters and their orphan children had many struggles with the Bolsheviks. The Second World War bringing much more ferocity and hardship for the Sisters and their children and the many others affected by the cruelty and suffering of war.

By the grace of God, and their persistence and after a hundred years, the Sisters continue their caring, educational, pastoral, and missionary work in the Church. They have gone from the Ukraine and Poland to Brazil, the United States, Libya, Ecuador.

They now give thanks to God who was with them in such difficult times and invite you to join with them and Mother Superior Mary Marcellina from Poland on Saturday, on April 21 at the 5PM Mass and to share a Festive Polish Dinner with them afterwards.

That we may prepare well, we ask you to kindly sign your family name and the number attending on the sheets in the lobby or call the parish office at 717 733 6596 by the end of this week.

RESPECT LIFEIn January 2018, a bill to ban abortion after 20 weeks failed in the Senate. Yet it is a topic that keeps coming up. Twenty weeks is 5 months into a pregnancy- when a baby's eyelids, eyebrows, eyelashes, nails, and hair are formed. A baby at this age can even suck his or her thumb, yawn, stretch, and make faces. The U.S. is among only seven nations — including North Korea and China, two of the most notorious human-rights violators — that allow abortion-on-demand after five months of pregnancy. More than two-thirds of Americans want to get the United States out of this shameful minority of


RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CORNER: This Week’s Corporal Work of Mercy

Bury The Dead:Send a card or note to someone

who has recently lost a loved one.

Visit the cemetery plot of a lost loved one.

Pre-Plan your own funeral Mass for your loved ones.

This Week’s Spiritual Work of Mercy

Pray For The Living And The Dead:

Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet for



countries. Voter support for the legislation is especially high among millennials (78 percent), African-Americans (70 percent), and Hispanics (57 percent). Even 51 percent of Democrats support it.

Abortions at five months and later are barbarically cruel, often involving dismemberment. Killing a baby at 5 months gestation is murdering a child. Let us redouble our prayers to end all abortion!https://www.nationalreview.com/2018/03/conor-lamb-abortion-catholic-candidate-wrong/ Andrea Ostrowski

THE MUSEUM OF THE BIBLEOn Saturday 12 May we will depart at 7 AM (OMPH side parking lot) Return approximately 6 PM (leaving DC at 3 PM) COST $47, NON-REFUNDABLE (this includes driver tip.)

THE BUS IS FILLING UP WE ONLY HAVE 29 SEATS AVAILABLE.

The Museum of the Bible is a museum in Washington D.C. which documents the narrative, history and impact of the Bible. The museum opened on November 17, 2017. There are 2 places to eat on the premises and a gift shop we will receive 20% off purchases at the gift shop.

The last day to reserve and pay for your seat is April 14 th . If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Rita Pfautz at 717-341-1211 or email at [email protected]

Check out the museum website, you’ll be glad you did . https://www.museumofthebible.org/

OMPH SCHOOL REGISTRATION FOR 2018-19

WE ARE ENROLLING! Registration is now open to all parish families for Preschool through Grade 8 for the 2018-2019 school year. The Preschool program, for children who are 3 and 4 years old by September 1st, provides developmentally appropriate activities in a Catholic environment and offers an after-care program. Our full day Kindergarten program, for children who are 5 years old by September 1st, provides daily Religion class along with skill

development in Language Arts and Math and special classes in computer, library, physical education, art, and music. Students in grades 1 through 8 experience an education noted for academic excellence in an environment which reinforces our Catholic identity. An on-site after school program is also available.

Come see why so many families choose OMPH Catholic School for their children! Personal tours can be scheduled by calling the Development Office at 717-738-2414. Financial aid is available to qualifying families through FACTS Grantand Aid Assessment. The deadline to apply for financial aid is March 25 th ! To learn more about our school, please visit our website at www.omph.org or call the school office at 738-2414 for further information. Find us on Facebook at OMPH Ephrata!


Please add the clip art you have been using. If you are able to forward it to

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