Rev. Douglas Cunningham, Administrator

Third Sunday of Lent

P.O. Box 711 Whitney Point, New York 13862 Parish Halls: WP(607)692-3357

M(607)849-3630 (607) 692-3911 Fax: (607) 692-7171

As announced or by appointment

Please contact the rectory to make arrangements.

Whitney Point: Monday-Thursday, 9AM-Noon

Email: ststephenstpat@syrdio.org Website: www.ccsssp.com

March 04, 2018

"I will get up and go to my father and shall say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you". The son is trying to make restitution.

Is it possible to add any happiness to God or take anything away from Him? God is love. God is full and complete within Himself and fully Himself in seeking the good of the other. He can not be or do otherwise.

There are some things that God can not do, and to participate or rejoice in the demise of another is one of them. The father of the prodigal son was not searching for restoration of some inward loss or gratification. His only concern was for the welfare and restoration of his son. Anything more would simply be less.

A day will come when we come before our God with all of our bumps, bruises, and misgivings. I do not think we are in for a light show akin to something from the Wizard of Oz but will simply drop to our knees before a lamb, slain from the foundation of the world.

After the Job's great trials, what did He experience? God spoke to him in a thunderous manner. Did the forcefulness of the argument bring Job to his knees? "I had heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees thee therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes." Job 42:5-6

If Job saw God, what did He see - a lamb slain - One who had carried and intimately known each of Job's afflictions through and through? I wonder. Don Alexy

����Don’t forget to spring ahead one hour Saturday, March 10th,

before you go to bed. You don’t want to miss Mass Sunday.

Easter Memorial Flowers - Thank you to the generous donations so far. You can still donate

toward our Easter flowers in memory of a loved one, an Easter Flower envelope is included in your envelope

packet, or you may use your own envelope marked “Memorial Flowers.” Names will be listed in Easter bulletin.

Next Sunday, March 11th, our parish will

take up the Catholic Relief Services

Collection. Funds from this collection help provide food to the hungry, support to

displaced refugees, and bring Christ’s love and mercy to all people here at home and

abroad. Please give generously to the CRSC and help Jesus in disguise.

Time’s Running Out: The IGNITE Catholic Men’s Conference is Saturday, March 24th! See flyers in our churches for who the 3 amazing speakers will be. You can register online: www.ignitecatholicmen.org or contact our parish office, 692-3911. Register by March 8th, for discount �Our parish has 8 tickets available if you are able to go.

Year of the Family - Did you know? Sunday Mass for the ill and homebound is available each week on TV and the Syracuse Catholic Television You Tube channel. For a complete list of channels and air times,

visit facebook.com/syracuseCTV. Televised Mass is made possible by your generous

donations to the HOPE Appeal.

Please call or email the Parish Office if you would like your 2017

contribution statement: 607-692-3911,

ststephenstpat@syrdio.org.

The Lector’s Corner

Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy

(CSL)- -promulgated Dec 4,1963first document

of Vatican Council II: Deeper and expanded awareness of Christ's real presence - Christ is present in Eucharistic

bread and wine, other sacraments, proclamation of the

word, ministers of the liturgy, the gathered assembly.

"Do I prayerfully prepare for my role by reflecting on the prayers and scripture....well before the liturgy? Do I proclaim the readings with all the understanding and passion that the

holy Word demands? Do I believe what I proclaim?" Lay

Ministers, Lay Disciples: Evangelizing Power in the Parish

Never read publicly what you have not first read privately. Even the most seasoned reader can be caught off guard by a passage they have not seen recently, whether because of content, unexpected punctuation or the lack of it, or unfamiliar nouns.

General Recommendations for Lectors:

• When proclaiming.... "A reading from....." there is no need to look down at the text once you begin..... Is there?

• If you think you are reading too slowly, it is probably just the right pace.

Glimpses Along the Way of the Cross Enter More Deeply

into the Mystery of Christ’s Cross By Msgr. Shea In these three beautiful talks, Monsignor James Shea guides us along the Stations of the Cross. These powerful meditations

take us into the depths of Christ’s agony, and back out again into the relief and joy of what His sacrifice means for us.

Memorial Sanctuary Candles-If you’d like to have the

sanctuary candle lit in memory of a loved one, at our Whitney Pt.

or Marathon Church, please call our parish office. Donation is

$10.00 per candle, which generally last 14 days. If you choose to

do this, it would be for the month so we ask you to donate $20.00

for that month and memorial names will be printed in bulletin.

Come and Visit with Jesus-Did you know that every Thursday evening, for one hour, you can come and spend some time with Jesus? Eucharistic Adoration is just that; a chance to be within His presence and talk to him one on one. Come for a short amount of time or stay for all of it. This Thurs,, Mar. 8th, is at Marathon Ch.

WP Ecumenical Food Pantry - During the month of

March we are collecting pasta for the WP Ecumenical Food Pantry . There are marked baskets at the entrances of our churches. Thank you for all your food & monetary donations.

Please Pray For Our Following Friends

and Family in the Military: Major Corrine Miller, Sgt. Jacob Rau, Devon McGill, Joshua Lilley, PV2 James McGill, LCpl John Larkin,Jr.,USMC, Sgt. Heather Fox, Brett Hayes, Captain Caleb Miller, Sgt. Megan Ballard, A1C Brendan Schneider, Kris Carstens,

LC USMC Daniel Morehouse, SSG Steven Gross, UMC Staff Sgt. Dan Votra, Sgt. Nicholas Stone,

Lt. Paul McDonald, Lt. Commander Marvin Joel Scott III, AF2nd Lt. Emily Steele, OS3 Jonathan Schneider,

Sgt. Zachary Reardon USMC, Staff Sgt. Justin Blaisdell, Staff Sergeant Michael Hetzler, A2C Derek Lescord,

Lt. LCDR Maria Lescord, and our pastor, Lt. Colonel Douglas Cunningham. If you have a friend

or family member serving our country and would like their name mentioned weekly in our bulletin, to be kept in

our prayers, please contact our parish office.

Weekly Stewardship Report: Last Sunday, February 25, 2018

Regular Collection: Envs: $3,627. Loose: $398. ………………………… ..………….Total Regular Collection: $4,025. Diocesan Collections: Blk&NA-$2. Other Income: Flowers-$140. Fuel-$15. Because of your contributions, we were able to pay the following bills this week: SchSubsidyPymt: $1,165. Phone: $263. Donation: $100. (Sr.Kathleen) Utilities: $1,458. MoDioAssess: $1,433. SnowRem: $640. (WP&M) Salaries: $1,300. …………………….........................Total Bills Paid This Week:$6,359. Your continued generosity is greatly appreciated! Bills To Be Paid Next Week: $2,300.

Whitney Point Marathon Greeters: Earl Markham, Chris Broderick Kathleen Allen, Don Atwood Next Sunday: Clements Family Dawn Odinek, Kristin Kashuba Lector: Gene Jordan Next Sunday: Jason Somers Lector: Linda Caminiti Next Sunday: Mike Thayne Altar Servers: Matthew, Isaac & Nora Jordan Brandon & Gunner Tyrrell Next Sunday: Lana Jordan, Josiah Lynch Angela Barry, Camdyn Kashuba

Eucharistic Ministers: Cathy Shoemaker, Peg Orzel, Pat Walter Mike Thayne, Patty Thon, Geoff Tyrrell Next Sunday: Dot Hathway, Emily Jordan, Mary Jo Whitehead Shelley Warnow, Cindy Barry, Don Barry

March Ushers: Wayne Niggli, Bob Barry

TTTThhhhaaaannnnkkkk yyyyoooouuuu ffffoooorrrr vvvvoooolllluuuunnnntttteeeeeeeerrrriiiinnnngggg yyyyoooouuuurrrr mmmmiiiinnnniiiissssttttrrrryyyy ttttaaaalllleeeennnntttt ttttoooo oooouuuurrrr ppppaaaarrrriiiisssshhhh!!!!

If you know someone that is ill, facing surgery, or some other kind of difficulty, and needs our prayers, please call Dottie Angel at 656-9230 or Pat Canfield at 849-6978. Dottie will lead the Prayer Chain we have at The CC of St. Stephen-St. Patrick. Supporting each other with the Power of Prayer is the best medicine.

Our bulletin and OLPH’s can be viewed online at www.ccsssp.com.

If you know of parishioners that have not been able to come to Mass because they are homebound, please let the Parish Office know so our Hospitality Groups can provide contact with them through visits and cards, and perhaps they would like to receive a copy of our bulletin.

WP Ecumenical Food Pantry: M-Th & Sat, 10am-Noon & Thurs Eve, 6-8pm. Closed Fridays, Holidays, & when school is closed for inclement weather. Food Pantry Chairperson: Roger Calice Clothing Bank: M,Tu & Sat, 10am-Noon. Mobile Food Pantry: 1st Friday of Month at WP Church parking lot. Truck arrives around 9:30am (unless holiday)

Daily Mass Schedule & Intentions

Sunday Mar. 04 8:30 AM Whitney Point…for James Griffin…by Cathy & Bill Cummings

10:30 AM Marathon…for Douglas Braman, Birthday…by Rose Braman

for Marge Carroll…by John Carroll

In Thanksgiving…Anon

12:00 PM OLPH… for The People of our Parish

Tuesday Mar. 06 8:30 AM Marathon…for The People Of Our Parish

Next Sunday Mar. 11 8:30 AM Whitney Point…for The People of our Parish

10:30 AM Marathon…for The People Of Our Parish

12:00 PM OLPH…In Thanksgiving…by The Warner Family

Readings for the Week of March 4 through 11, 2018:

Sunday: Ex 20:1-17; 1 Cor 1:22-25; Jn 2:13-25 Thursday: Jer 7:23-28; Lk 11:14-23

Monday: 2 Kgs 5:1-15b; Lk 4:24-30 Friday: Hos 14:2-10; Mk 12:28-34

Tuesday: Dn 3:25,34-43; Mt 18:21-35 Saturday: Hos 6:1-6; Lk 18:9-14

Wednesday: Dt 4:1,5-9 ; Mt 5:17-19 Next Sunday: 2 Chr 36:14-16,19-23; Eph 2:4-10; Jn 3:14-21

The readings for today, Third Sunday of Lent, begin with #910 in our Journeysongs Hymnals.

Mission Statement for The Catholic Community of St. Stephen - St. Patrick We are a Roman Catholic Community of faith, welcoming the strength found in diversity. We are committed to using our time, talent, and treasure in proclaiming the Kingdom of God through prayer, fellowship, and service.

We experience our unity at the Eucharistic Table of the Lord, and our direction from the Word of God.

Parish Council Parish Council Parish Council Parish Council PARISH STAFFPARISH STAFFPARISH STAFFPARISH STAFF

Chairperson - Don Alexy & Don Barry Directors of Faith Formation - (WP)Cecelia Carstens, 323-5114

Vice-Chairperson - John Mihalko (Marathon)Helen Mathews, 423-7656

Secretary - Brittney Penrose Church Organist/Music Director - Jennifer Cafferty

Maintenance - (Please call parish office w/maintenance concerns) Parish Business/Office Manager-Mary Wied Bulletin Deadline: Tuesday, Noon - Phone, Mail or Email, ststephenstpat@syrdio.org

Hospitalized or ill: Please notify rectory or email lcrowley@zfastest.net so we can provide for their/your spiritual needs.

St. Patrick’s Day Brunch will be Sunday, March 18th, following our 8:30am Mass in Whitney Point. Bring a dish to pass and come enjoy some good Irish music, fun and fellowship as we celebrate our church‘s patron

Youth Local Service Meeting At our last parish Council meeting it was decided to establish a committee to help plan Youth service projects in

our area. If you are interested in attending one or two meetings to help organize projects, our 1st meeting is March 14th. Please contact Cecelia

Carstens, Brittany Penrose or Peg Orzel for

further information.

Women’s Morning of Reflection at St Margaret’s Parish Center, 14 Copeland Ave., Homer on Saturday, March 10th.

Lent, Lies, Love, Darkness & Light Presented by Theresa White, Associate Director of Faith Formation, Diocese of Syracuse.

We live in contradiction every day and yet find a way to unravel the paschal mystery and truth of God’s presence in all of it.

Gather together with women in our community as we break open the joys and challenges of our Lenten journey. Continental Breakfast at 9AM, Presentation from 9:30AM-12PM. $10

Offering. Register by calling 749-2542 or Email: office@stmargaret-homer.org by March 7th.

����March 11 Presentation Postponed-Sr. Brigid’s presentation will be rescheduled for a later date when more church members are able to attend.

Stations Of

The Cross

will be

prayed

every Friday at

6:30pm, during Lent.

They will rotate

between our Whitney

Point and Marathon

Churches. Please

check “This Week In

Our Parish” for church.

Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl: Encountering Safiata - In Burkina Faso,

we encounter Safiata, a mother, grandmother and farmer who relies on the money she makes from her crops to put her children through school. How can our purchases this Lent support farmers and artisans? How can you support those, worldwide, who are forced to flee their homes to find safety or better opportunities? Visit crsricebowl.org for more.

Youth Trip Meeting-All youth and their parents who will be going on the

Mission Trip July 15th are asked to attend a get acquainted and additional information meeting this afternoon,

March 4th, at 2pm at our Whitney Point Church. Cathy Shoemaker, a notary, will

also be present to notarize the medical form and code of conduct. If you are

unable to attend, please contact Peg at 607-372-7036 or porzel10@yahoo.com.

CCSS-SP’s Lenten

Penance Service is Wednesday, March 21st, 7pm, at our Marathon Church. Fr. Doug and other priests will be available to hear

confessions. All parishioners are encouraged to participate in this

meaningful experience, as we prepare for the celebration of the

Resurrection of our Lord.

Formed.org -There are many fantastic Lenten videos and books on formed.org that can enhance your spiritual journey. If you haven’t signed up yet to receive these resources, go to

Formed.org and register using code, CFMRYY.

Marathon Families

Attention Parents: Your child will be bringing home a letter for you today

concerning prayer. Please read it first, then make plans with your

child for family prayer time. Thank you.

We are collecting individually wrapped candy for the next few weeks for CCSS-SP’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday, after the 8:30am Mass, on the Whitney Point Church grounds. Please drop off any candy donations in the marked baskets at the

entrances of our churches. Thank you for your generosity.

The Marathon Maplefest is upon us; this year it’s on April 7th & 8th. Sign up sheets for our annual pasta dinner are at the entrances of our churches.

Whole Community Catechesis

Readings and Questions for Discussion

Reading 1 - Exodus 20:1-17

(or shorter form, Exodus 20:1-3,7-8,12-17)

Moses is given the Ten Commandments.

Reading 2 - 1 Corinthians 1:22-25

Paul preaches Christ crucified

to the Corinthians.

Gospel - John 2:13-25

Jesus drives out the moneychangers from the

Temple and says that he will destroy the

temple and raise it up again.

Adults: We are “temples of the Holy Spirit,”

Is there anything that needs to be shown

the exit, or “driven out” of us?

Children: Can you think of some things that

you have seen that are unfair or which are

not right? For example have you seen people

being unkind to others or not treating other

people as they should? What did you do

about it? What could you do?

This Week In Our Parish

Today, Mar. 4th 9:00-10:30am - Faith Formation Classes - Marathon Church Hall

9:20-11:00am - Faith Formation Classes - Whitney Point Church Hall

12:00-2:00pm - Confirmation Class - Whitney Point Church Hall

Thursday, Mar. 8th 7:00-8:00pm - Adoration - Marathon Church

Friday, Mar. 9th 6:30pm - Stations of the Cross - Marathon Church

Saturday, Mar. 10th 7:00-8:30am - Christian Men Of Faith Meeting - Whitney Point Church Hall

Sunday, Mar. 11th Tristano Candela Baptism - After our 10:30am Mass at Marathon

9:20-11:00am - Faith Formation Classes - Whitney Point Church Hall

12:00-2:00pm - Confirmation Class - Whitney Point Church Hall

FAITH FORMATION INFORMATION: