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MISSION STATEMENT

“We reach out to all through prayer and service, as we live our Catholic faith in Christ with Mary”

Third Sunday of Lent, February 28, 2016

Served by: Rev. Michael G. Ward, K.H.S., Pastor Rev. Valentine Ugwuanya, Parochial Vicar Rev. Richard Kelly, Weekend Assistant Deacon Jack Lynch Katie Wills - Director of Music Ministry Mary Clinton - Pastoral Associate for Faith Formation Matt Boyle - Director of Youth Ministry Website: www.ihmparish.net Facebook: fb.me/ihmnj Instagram: @IHM50th

Liturgy of the Eucharist Saturday: 5:30pm (Anticipated Mass)

Sunday: 7:45am, 9am, 10:30am*, 12 noon *Children’s Liturgy of the Word

Weekdays & Saturdays: 7am & 8:30am Holy Days of Obligation - See Mass Schedule on page 3

Morning Prayer: Monday - Saturday at 8:15am Rosary: Monday - Saturday after the 8:30am Mass

Novena to the Miraculous Medal & St. Jude - Saturday after 8:30am Mass Eucharistic Adoration Chapel Hours: Mon - Fri 9am - 11pm; Sat 9am - 1pm

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A Note from Fr. Mike The parable of the fig tree, aimed at the religious leadership of Israel, is a reminder to all of us that we are always in need of God’s mercy and forgiveness. It is only through the intervention of the gardener (God) that there is any hope for the tree. The leaders that Jesus is talking to are not able to recognize this fact. The goal each year of our Lenten journey is to learn more and more to place our trust in God, to open our hearts and minds to conversion and allow the love of God to nourish us so that we may bear good fruit as disciple of Christ. It is only when we give attention to our own lives of faith and need of God that we can then go out and proclaim effectively the good news of God’s love, a love so strong that it overcomes even death itself.

Peace,

Fr. Mike

Archdiocese of Newark 2016 Lenten Regulations

1. The days of both Fast and Abstinence during Lent are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. 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. The other Fridays of Lent are days of Abstinence.

On a day of Fast, only one (1) full meal is permitted and two (2) smaller meals, which, if added together, would not exceed the main meal in quantity.

Those between the ages of 18 and 59 are obliged to fast. On a day of Abstinence, no meat may be eaten. Those who have reached the age of 14 are obliged by the law of Abstinence.

2. The obligation to observe the laws of Fast and Abstinence “substantially,” or as a whole, is a serious one.

3. Fridays of the year outside of Lent are designated as days of penance, but each individual may substitute for the traditional abstinence from meat some other practice of voluntary self- denial as penance.

4. The time for fulfilling the Paschal Precept (Easter Duty*) extends from the First Sunday of Lent, February 14, 2016 to The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, May 22, 2016.

*Canon 920 §1. All the faithful, after they have been initiated into the Most Holy Eucharist, are bound by the obligation of receiving Communion at least once a year.

Wanted: New/ Used Communion Dresses & Suits

IHM is helping the Archdiocese of Newark collect gently used and new Communion outfits. First Communion is one of the seven sacraments of Catholic faith, usually celebrated when children are seven or eight years old and preparations can be a strain on a family’s budget. Your donations can help families in need celebrate this milestone.

Our collection period will end Mar. 20. Please bring your donations to the front entrance of the Church or the Nazareth Center. Thank you.

IHM Stations of the Cross Fridays in Lent at Noon and 4pm

Soup & Stations We will keep our tradition of serving a soup and salad lunch following the noon Stations of the Cross every Friday. The delicious soup is compliments of Flanagan’s in South Plainfield.

4pm Stations of the Cross will be outdoors weather permitting. Juice and cookies will be served in the church basement after the 4pm Stations. Please join us, all are welcome.

IHM Feasibility Study

Our Feasibility Study is underway. Please respond to the questionnaires or phone messages as soon as possible. If you did not receive the questionnaires or case study please contact the parish office at 889-2100.

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Mass Intentions

Sunday, February 28th 7:45 am Gerald McAuley+ By Colm & Geraldine Keogh 9:00 am Edward Pilot+ By Meyn Family 10:45 am Claire Gibbons+ By Barbara & Carl Durant 12:00 pm Helen, Herman, & Dorothy Eckert+ By the Lundgren Family

Monday, February 29th 7:00 am Agnes Kelly+ By Thomas Moore 8:30 am Erin Miller (living)+ By Rosary Altar Society

Tuesday, March 1st 7:00 am William McManus+ By Bob & Dottie Evans 8:30 am John Hrynyk+ By Betty & Tony Perfilio

Wednesday, March 2nd 7:00 am Bill McManus+ By Eileen Condon 8:30 am Betty Swisher (living) By Rosary Altar Society

Thursday, March 3rd 7:00 am Michael Bimonte+ By Carol Gabliardi 8:30 am Charles Proctor Jr.+ By Josephine Galbraith

Friday, March 4th 7:00 am Tyrone Adams+ By James & Janet Walsh 8:30 am Thad & Sophie Sobon+ By Mary Jane & Art Lundgren

Saturday, March 5th 7:00 am Fr. Jack Kennedy+ By Rosary Altar Society 8:30 am Barbara Webber+ By Alexander Smith 5:30 pm Danny Kelly+ By Kathy Mitchell

Sunday, March 6th 7:45am For the People of IHM Parish 9:00 am Rose Santamaria+ By Eleanor Duddy 10:30 am Dec’d Members of Licata & Mannell+ By Lewis Family 12:00 pm Claire Gibbons+ By Pace Family

Rose Appezzato

Eileen Arnold

Charles Barrett

Larry Biunno

Thomas Bodenberd

Fran Boglioli

Doris Burkert

John Byrne

Anna Cassella

Paul & Carol Cassidy

Gregory Collantes

Edward Clark

Elle Crofton

Jeanne Crofton

Kathleen Curialle

Soledad Domingo

Claire Dowd

Erlinda Fajardo

Albert Fischer, Jr.

Albert Fischer, Sr.

Fred Gillespie

John Gonnella

Colleen Guidera

Nancy Hogan

Mary Hughes

Gerald Hughes

Wim Kamp

Janet Kanelos

Michael Lang

Mary Jane Malloy

Margaret Malone

Robert Nolan

Riley McFarland

Jim McLean

June McManus

Mark Muhlenforth

Eileen Parrelli

Theresa Pesserl

Hilda Pizza

Betty Razal

Renato Razal

Cheryl Reid

Fr. Tom Roberts

Brian Seifert

Jennifer Torlucci

Joseph Vetere

Stella Walczuk

Phyllis LoBrace+

Eileen O’Reardon+

Flowers for the Blessed Mother For the week of February 28th:

Blessings on our children And grandchildren.

Requested by Betty & Tony Perfilio

Hospital Privacy Please remember that current privacy laws regarding patients in hospitals do not allow hospitals/pastoral care offices to contact parishes. If you or a loved one are going into the hospital and want a priest to visit , please call the office at 889-2100 .

Sanctuary Light: Week of February 28th: The Sanctuary Light will burn this week for:

Joann Clark+ Requested by: Barbara Ann

IHM Anointing Mass Saturday, March 12th at 11 am. All are welcome.

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IHM Book Group

The IHM Book Group will discuss the following books this year. Enjoy reading and hope to see you at the Wednesday noon meetings!

Mar. 30, 2016 - The Nightingale: A Novel by Kristin Hannah April 27, 2016 - Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson May 25, 2016 - The Wright Brothers by David McCullough

St. Bartholomew’s Academy

February in the Fourth Grade

Every year Mrs. MaryEllen Lamb, our fourth grade teacher, takes her students on a journey across the curriculum through the Garden State. It is the first opportunity for the students to immerse themselves in the study of one region or geographic area. In Science, the students studied the geographic regions of our state, including the Atlantic Coastal Plain, the Piedmont, the Highlands, and the Ridge and Valley region. They learned about the soil and rocks in each region and made their own sedimentary rock using sand, pebbles, glue, and salt. In Social Studies, the students created an alphabet poster of the state. Each student was assigned a letter of the alphabet and picked a person, place, or thing in New Jersey that started with that letter. Next, they researched their topic to find facts and pictures. Lastly, they created a poem and poster about their subject and presented it to their classmates. The children were very creative - some of the posters showed information about the Turnpike for the letter T, the Queen City of Plainfield for the letter Q, Washington Rock Park for the letter W, and Xocolatz, the restaurant in Westfield for X. Next, the students are starting a research project to celebrate Black History Month. Each student will choose a famous Black American and spend time in the computer lab performing internet research to determine who they were, where they lived, and the impact they had on American History. In their presentations to the class, the students will be required to come to their own conclusions as to the impact the person had on society. This exercise in critical thinking is excellent practice for the analysis required in the History program in the Middle school. We are proud of the hard work our fourth graders are doing as they learn about their state and the important people who helped to shape our country.

Follow us on Facebook: St. Bartholomew Academy

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Join us for our new series, #DeathToSelfie, where we seek to destroy the lies that we have believed about ourselves and instead discover who we are made to be.

Every Sunday night we join together for food, time with friends and an inspiring message. We hope to see you soon!

Upcoming Event: #DeathToSelfie Week 4 - Sunday, Feb. 28 @6pm

Mother Seton Regional High School One Valley Road, Clark, NJ

732-382-1952 www.motherseton.org

Gift Auction

Friday, March 4th Doors open 5:30pm

Ticket order forms available on website No tickets sold at the door

Summer Academy Registration is now open

Check your email for our registration link or visit

www.immaculateheart.church/registration/summer-academy

Session 1: June 27- July 8 Session 2: August 15-26

Pancake Breakfast for a Cancer Cure Sunday, March 13 - 8:30am - 1:15pm

Have food and fun while helping to find and fund a cure for cancer! A Pancake Breakfast to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society will be held at the church on Sunday, March 13. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for children at the door, or pre-order for $10/$6. Please email parishioner and 12pm lector, Alison O’Brien, for more information: TNTScoreForACure@gmail.com.

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Extraordinary Ministers, Lectors, and Altar Servers Weekend of – March 5-6

CLOW - D. Rogers

Parish Information

Religious Education Classes School Year Session Registration information on page 4. Questions? Faithformation@ihmparish.net

Baptisms: Please call the office. Prep: April 5th at 7pm Baptisms: April 17th at 1:30pm

Adoration Chapel: Open: Weekdays: 9 am - 10 pm; Saturdays: 9 am - 1 pm Chapel closed on Holy Days and Holidays. Please note, if SPF schools are closed due to weather conditions, the chapel will be closed.

Marriage: Appointments should be made at least one year in advance. Contact the priest about a date and Pre-Cana information.

New Parishioners: Registration forms available on our website www.ihmparish.net or in the Nazareth Center.

Ministry to the Sick & Homebound Please notify the parish office of those who are sick or homebound, in hospitals or are unable to worship. For urgent calls, contact 908 889-2100 at any time.

Reconciliation: Saturdays: 4:45-5:15 pm Arrangements can be made at any time for

private confession. Please call the office.

Parish School: St. Bartholomew Academy 908 322-4265

Sat-Sun

Lectors Extraordinary (Bread)

Ministers (Cup)

Altar Servers

5:30 pm

Good-Piga

M. Puglisi L. Regan A. Hansen

7:45am

Hambleton

The Bagdonas Children

9:00am

Fortunato

R. Lewis A. Mooney I. Alomar

10:30am

Smith

T. Barnes R. Carlino F. Carlino

12:00 noon

Briante

T. Clancy L. Hernandez K.Bhattacharya

Rosary Altar Society

Many thanks to Mary Jane Bergen and Rosarians who assisted her in organizing Rosary's first mini-retreat on February 2. Father Anthony Randazzo presented informative and inspiring sessions on the Pope's book, The Name of God is Mercy. In addition, there was time for socialization and lots of good sharing during coffee breaks and lunch.

~Rosary's next event is the Members Only Lunch on Tuesday, March 1 at noon in the Nazareth Center. We will be providing a tasty hot lunch and dessert. We will also enjoy a short demonstration on flower arranging and one lucky person will take the finished arrangement home. In addition, the Pastoral Associate for Faith Formation, Mary Clinton, will give a short overview of the religious education programs available to the children of IHM. ~The MBO lunch is also one of two times during the year when Rosarians are asked to make generous donations to Mother Teresa's (soon to be Saint Teresa of Calcutta) Order. Cash or checks (made out to The Missionaries of Charity) will be gratefully and prayerfully accepted. Gealdine Keogh is coordinating this event, please RSVP to her via email gkeogh212@yahoo.com or call Mary Jane Bergen at 908 753-2161 by Fri., Feb. 26th.

The IHM Holy Name Society

The next meeting will be Sunday, March 6th at 8:30am in the Fr. Byrne Auditorium.

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Calendar of IHM Events:

Sunday February 28th

10:10 am– Bible Sharing 6pm—LifeTeen

Monday, February 29th 7pm - 8th Grade Year 1 Confirmation Prep

Tuesday, March 1st

12pm - Rosary Members Only Luncheon

Wednesday, March 2nd 11am - Food Pantry

12pm– IHM Book Group 1pm - Bible Study with Lee Gillingham

6:30 pm - Children’s Choir Practice 7:30 pm—Bible Study with Fr. Alex

Thursday, March 3rd

10am - Thursday Morning Prayer Group RCIA

Friday, March 4th 12pm - Stations of the Cross followed by Soup

4:00pm - Stations of the Cross—Juice & Cookies for the Children

4:30pm - Lenter Service Project for the Chilcren Saturday, March 5th

Sunday, March 6th IHM Blood Drive

10:10am - Bible Sharing 6pm - LifeTeen

For more information visit: www.ihmparish.net

Offertory Collection

2/21/2016 Weekly Budget Need: $12,691.31 Collection: 10,344.00 Parish Pay 1,484.00 Surplus/(Deficit) (863.32)

Year to Date: Excludes Christmas Budget: $431,538.50 Actual: 412,901.87 Surplus/(Deficit) ($18,636.67)

Thank you for your generosity.

RCIA—Rite of Catholic Initiation for Adults RCIA is religious education for adults seeking to enter our faith. It is also for those who are Catholic but have not received all of their sacraments and would like to be Confirmed or receive Communion. We have flexible hours. Call the office at 889-2100 for more information. All are welcome.

Men’s Cornerstone

This year, give yourself the gift of Cornerstone! Cornerstone is a retreat given by the men of St. Bartholomew and IHM for the men of these parishes. It is a 26 hour retreat held at St. Bart’s. Our theme this year is “Called to Duty: Are you man enough to live like Jesus?”

Please join us March 11-12th. For registration details, contact Ernie Hernandez at 908 303-4428 or ehernandez1297@gmail.com. Forms available on St. Bartholomew’s website. The fee is $75.00.

Scripture Reflection Third Sunday of Lent

“He said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree, but have found none.’” (Luke 13:7)

Are you like the barren fig tree? How will your respond when God asks you what you have done with the gifts He has given you? Remember, we are not only called to be generous, we are called to develop, nurture and share our gifts.

IHM Blood Drive

Sunday, March 6, 2016 8:30am - 1pm

Fr. Byrne Auditorium (Church Basement)

Did you know that each pint of blood donated can help save up to three lives? Your donation truly makes a difference.

Walk-ins are welcome.

IHM Casino Night

Saturday April 9, 2016

Doors open at 6:30pm $80 per person, must be 21 or older

Food, Fun & Prizes Contact the office at 889-2100 or more info