of Nativity Mary 313 E. WALL S TREET • JANESVILLE, WISCO NSI N 53545 -3047

March 15, 2020 • Third Sunday of Lent

Rectory 313 E. Wall Street Janesville, WI 53545-3047 Website ............. www.nativitymary.org Phone ............................... (608) 752-7861 Father Rob Butz ……. (608) 620-9910 Pastor ............................. Rev. Robert Butz Email: pastor@nativitymary.org

Dir. of Liturgy ........................... Bob Craig Email: liturgy@nativitymary.org Coord. Religious Ed….Kathy Hookham Email: re@nativitymary.org Business Manager ... .Arwen Twitchett Email: accounts@nativitymary.org Parish Secretary...……....Sharlet Collins Email: psec@nativitymary.org

St. Mary School 307 E. Wall Street Janesville, WI 53545-3047 Phone .............................. (608) 754-5221 Principal……………………..Kim Ehrhardt Secretary ……………………..Sue Vodak & Sue Dickman

Religious Education Phone .............................. .(608) 752-7861 Coordinator…………….Kathy Hookham

Prayer Network Mary Ann Venable…..(608) 754-5284

Nativity of Mary ................ Sat. 4:30 pm Sun. 8:30 & 10:30 am

St. Patrick……Sat. 7:30 am & 4:00 pm

St. John Vianney ………….Sat. 8:15 am & 5:00 pm Sun. 8:15 & 10:00 am St. William ............................ Sat. 4:00 pm

Sun. 8:00 & 10:30 am St. Mary - Milton ............... Sat. 4:00 pm Sun. 8:30 am

We, the Catholic family of Nativity of Mary, are empowered by the Holy Spirit to be disciples of Jesus Christ. Through worship, the sacraments, fellowship, evangelization and outreach, we will share the word of Christ in our community. -Mission Statement

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News & Notes

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St. Mary School

News & Notes

Money Matters Money Counts for 2019-2020

Received Budgeted Variance

Week 36

03-08-2020 10,281.01 10,463.41 -182.40

YTD $438,539.15 437,644.72 894.43

Please Note: Incense will be used during the Sunday 10:30 am Mass, continuing all through Lent. The Saturday 4:30 pm and the Sunday 8:30 am Masses will remain incense-free.

St. Mary School Fundraisers Thank you for your Support!

Box Tops for Education Box Tops is one of America’s largest school earnings loyalty programs. St. Mary’s receives 10 cents for each box top. Please make sure the box top is NOT EXPIRED, and trim carefully on the dotted lines. There is an expiration date on each label. Examples are certain products from Nabisco, General Mills, Reynolds, Kimberly-Clark and more. Visit https://www.boxtops4education.com/ for a complete list of specific products to look for.

Our Caps, Your Cause Prairie Farm offers this program. Buy their white or flavored milk in gallon or half-gallon sizes and turn in the entire cap to the school. We will peel the label to reveal the code (if not peeled correctly, the label is destroyed.) Prairie Farms will give St. Mary’s five cents for each code submitted.

Please deposit your box tops or caps in the church where indicated.

Shop with SCRIP— 750 + top brands offer gift cards that give back.

SCRIP puts your regular shopping dollars to work supporting your parish and school with over fifty retailers. Grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, department stores, hardware stores, movie theaters, spas and more! SCRIP is available at St. Mary School’s office, or look for us after the 10:30 AM Mass every Sunday, and after all Masses twice per month. Next up: March 21st/22nd. SCRIP can now be pur-chased digitally with MyScripWallet.com for your phone and ShopWithScrip.com for your desktop. To get set up, call the school office at (608) 754-5221 x 22.

A Special Thank you to Salad Luncheon Co-Chairs Erin & Michael Pierce and everyone who was involved in this years event as well as those attended. Thanks for being part of this important St. Mary's tradition. Please join the students and staff of St. Mary's School with the annual presentation of the living Stations of the Cross on Friday, March 20, 2020, at 2 p.m. at the church.

Lenten Disciplines of Fasting and Abstinence

Catholics in good health ages 18 to 59 are required to fast and to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Fasting consists of eating only one meal, with the possibility of two smaller snacks that do not add up to a single full meal.

Catholics age 14 and older are to abstain from meat on all Fridays during Lent.

“Fasting cleanses the soul, raises the mind, subjects one’s flesh to the spirit, renders the heart contrite and humble, scatters the clouds of concupiscence, quenches the fire of lust, kindles the true light of chastity.” -St. Thomas Aquinas

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Readings for Sunday, March 15, 2020 Third Sunday of Lent Ex 17:3-7 / Rom 5:1-2, 5-8 / Jn 4:5-42

Readings for Next Sunday, March 22, 2020 Fourth Sunday of Lent 1 Sm 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a / Eph 5:8-14 / Jn 9:1-41

Third Sunday of Lent

The Samaritan woman said to him, “How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” - Jn 4:9a, 10

********************************************************* We give the definition of ourselves over to so many things. We allow our society, friends, family, work, social groups, ethnicity, and even institutions define, classify, and color how we perceive ourselves. When we listen predominantly to the voices of others, we lose touch with what is happening within our own inner voice. If we listen carefully within, we can easily discover that we are in want and need. We know our incompleteness and also know that loneliness, sadness, and self-images can propel us outward in attempts to fill those gaps. We can become not only victims of our own prejudices but can find ourselves overly self-indulgent in things that can only satisfy for a short time, if at all.

It is no wonder that money and power are things that are so fervently sought after. As long as we can keep a steady supply going, the illusion of fulfillment and satisfaction can falsely persuade us as craftily as a master magician’s act. We live with illusions not truth. It is no wonder, then, that some of the wealthiest folks are also really the unhappiest. Whether we admit it, the lies we live and pursue will ultimately expose our superficiality. We all have to wrestle with who we are and what gives our lives purpose and meaning. Learn to listen more deeply, not to what others are saying about you, but to what God is echoing in your heart.

We can easily get confused and misunderstand, not only about who we are but who God is. Even the disciples and the Samaritan woman at the well missed the point Jesus was trying to make. There is only one Person who can satisfy the deepest yearnings and longings of our hearts — Jesus the Messiah. It is not the work of corporate America that will lead us to happiness or greatness but the work of the soul. We continue to resist acknowledging this and are happier in our world of misunderstanding and illusion. The life-giving water we truly need doesn’t come from the source of a well but from the Source of Life. Only God can reveal the truth of our sinfulness, the superficiality of our pursuits, and the illusions we hold so dear. Only Jesus can save us from ourselves and give us what we really need. If only our heads can catch up with where our hearts know they need to be, then will we find real contentment and life!

Scripture Please Pray For Our Parishioners

Bill, Sandra Barrette, Judy Bever, Valerie

Boggs, Karen Bullis, Noah Cotter,

LeeAnn Gilligan, Gerri, Jackie H., Alice Jensen,

Pat & Mark, Penny Patterson, Max Rammer,

Heather Saalfeld, Madelynn Schieve,

Colleen Schroeder, Andrew Stuehler, Edna Thorp, Lola Williams, Avalon Widner,

Lucille Willegal

Focus on Faith

Sacraments

Anointing of the Sick:

Infant Baptism: Registered members of the parish are welcome to arrange for their baby’s baptism by signing up for the necessary preparation program for parents.

RCIA Please call anytime if you would like to discuss Catholicism and see how joining the Church may offer you a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.

Catholic Women’s Club Contact Jan Bier at 752-4387 for more information.

Knights of Columbus Contact Ed Gilligan 449-6468 for more information.

Adult Catholic Spirit Club Contact Dolores Dilley 752-2587.

Bulletin Deadline Mondays at 9:00 AM. Please contact Sharlet Collins at the Rectory, 752-7861 or email psec@nativitymary.org.

Traveling Chalice

This week the Traveling Chalice will be hosted by Religious Education’s 1st & 2nd grades. Any questions regarding our Traveling Chalice program may be directed to: Colleen at 868-6386 OR irishcatholic56@gmail.com.

Eucharistic Adoration A Holy Hour is held in the church every

Friday, following the 8:15 AM Mass. We invite you to come and pray

in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.

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What’s Happening

Made for More - Visions of the Promised Land

An inspired blend of live music, art, and presentation that taps the deepest desires of the human heart revealing their ultimate purpose and goal. Join Christopher West and Mike Mangione as they offer a vision of the Gospel like you’ve never heard through the lens of Saint John Paul II’s Theology of the Body.

March 19, 2020 / 7:00-9:30 PM Hosted by St. John Vianney Church in Janesville / Co-Hosts are Nativity of Mary, St. William and St. Patrick

Tickets are $25—To purchase, visit corproject.com/Janesville, or contact your parish office. For more information, call Kris Kranenburg 608-755-1476 or kkranenburg@sjv.org

Our Lady of the Assumption in Beloit, will have a Fish Fry every Friday during Lent. Serving takes place from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in Assumption Hall. All you can eat baked and fried Cod, baked potatoes, fries, coleslaw, applesauce, bread and beverage. Adults: $11.00; Children 6-12: $5.00; 5 & under FREE. Soda & desserts offered at an additional charge. Carry outs available.

If you or a family member is experiencing flu-like symptoms, it is best to stay home and rest. The Code of Canon Law (5688 .6) allows a person to miss Mass on a Sunday or holy day of obligation for a grave reason. Having a communicable disease is a grave reason. The law asks that, if possible, those who miss Mass for this reason spend a suitable time in prayer at home on their own or with the family. Missing Mass for this reason is not a sin.

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What’s Happening

Catholic Women’s Club Scholarship The Janesville Catholic Women’s Club is offering four scholarships for high school seniors who are active members of the four Catholic parishes in Janesville. One scholarship will be offered at each parish. Applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA and a relative or friend who is a member of the club.

Selection will be based on active involvement in the Catholic Church, academic standing, and other extracurricular activities in the school and community.

Funds are raised at the club’s Dollars for Scholars Card Party held twice a year. Applications are available at the Parker and Craig guidance offices and are due by April 1, 2020. For further information, for a list of current mem-bers, or if you are home schooled, call Jan at 752-4387.

Lenten Special Collection It has been the custom at Nativity of Mary Parish to take a second collection each Sunday during Lent. Please consider giving toward these as a concrete way of showing love and care for others.

Next weekend, we will be collecting for HealthNet.

HealthNet of Rock County is a free medical & dental clinic serving Rock County individuals who have no health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, or Medical Assistance.

When low-income and underinsured individuals utilize the emergency department for primary health care, the out-of-pocket medical expenses leave many individuals & families bankrupt.

Learn more at www.healthnet-rock.org

High School Students! Special Lenten Youth Series

LENTEN LATE NIGHTS

Mondays at 6:30 PM Saint Patrick Catholic School Building, 305 S Lincoln Street in Janesville—608-754-8193.

Stations of the Cross

Friday, March 20th at 2:00 pm— Living Stations, with St. Mary School students Friday, March 27 at 12:00 pm Friday, April 3rd at 12:00 pm

Gather Together—Fellowship Opportunities

CENTERING PRAYER Mondays 11:00-11:30 AM in the Nativity House. For more information call Ken 608-751-8406

FAITH SHARING GROUP Tuesdays 10:30 AM to Noon in the Nativity House. For more information call Rose 608-754-8451.

TAIZE’ PRAYER Second Monday of each month 7:00 PM in the church. For more information call Ann 608-862-3756.

DARE TO DREAM BOOK CLUB Third Monday of each month 6:30 PM in Fellowship Hall. For more information call Colleen 608-868-6386.

SACRED HARP SINGING Fourth Monday of each month 7:00 PM in Fellowship Hall. For more information call Peter 262-995-3125.

Everyone is invited to attend the Janesville Catholic

Women’s Club Spring Fling Card Party. The event will be held Sunday, March 29, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the St. John Vianney Commons Room. The afternoon will include raffle prizes, refreshments, fellowship, and fun! Bring a neighbor, spouse, friends – the more, the merrier! Your $5 entrance fee paid at the door also includes a chance in the general raffle. The club will provide playing cards and easy-to-learn games; feel free to bring board games if you want. All proceeds go to our scholarship fund. If you have any questions, call Jan at 752-4387.

A message from the Diocese of Madison: Lent is the perfect time to call to mind our mortality, reflect that we will meet God face to face, and consider arrangements for our mortal remains. Mount Olivet Cemetery is available to help with your planning. Call (608) 754-3472 to make an appointment, or visit madisondiocese.org/cemeteries.

Parish Event Calendar

Monday, March 16 11:00 AM Centering Prayer, Nativity House Tuesday, March 17 10:30 AM Faith Sharing Group, Nativity House 5:00-6:00 PM Reconciliation, Church 6:30 PM Parish Council Meeting, Fellowship Hall Wednesday, March 18 5:45 PM Elementary Religious Ed, School 7:00 PM Choir Practice, Church 7:15 PM High School Religious Ed, Nativity House Thursday, March 19 6:00 PM RCIA Inquiry, Rectory 7:15 PM RCIA, Rectory 7:30 KC Meeting, Nativity House Friday, March 20 8:45-9:45 AM Holy Hour (Adoration), Church 2:00 PM Living Stations of the Cross, Church Saturday, March 21 9:30-10:30 AM Reconciliation, Church

Mass Intentions = Living Monday, March 16 No Mass Tuesday, March 17 12:10 PM Richard & Nancy McCann Wednesday, March 18 8:15 AM Bob Reuter Families Thursday, March 19 8:15 AM Josephine Berner Friday, March 20 8:15 AM Ryan Stowe Saturday, March 21 4:30 PM Madeline Lepinski Sunday, March 22 8:30 AM Fred, Louise & Joseph Hookham 10:30 AM Parishioners of Nativity of Mary

Monday 3/16

Tuesday

Wednesday Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

3/22

Nativity of Mary 12:10 pm 8:15 am

8:15 am 8:15 am 4:30 pm Chior

8:30 & 10:30 am

St. John Vianney 8:15 am 5:15 pm 8:15 am

8:15 am 8:15 am 8:15 pm 5:00 pm

8:15 & 10:00 am

St. Patrick 5:30 pm 5:30 pm 5:30 pm 5:30 pm

7:30 am & 4:00 pm

9:00 am & 12:00 Noon en Español

St. William 7:14 am 8:30 am

7:14 am 7:14 am 4:00 pm

8:00 & 10:30 am

St. Mary’s Hospital

St. Elizabeth Nursing Home

9:15 am

St. Elizabeth Manor Footville

9:15 am 9:15 am 9:15 am 9:15 am 9:15 am 11:00 am

ALL ACTIVITIES ARE OPEN TO MEMBERS

OF ANY PARISH IN THE CLUSTER

March 16 11:00 AM Centering Prayer, Nativity of Mary, Nativity House March 16 6:00 PM Weekly Lenten Study, St. John Vianney, Marian Hall March 17 10:30 AM Faith Sharing, Nativity of Mary, Nativity House March 17 Noon-5:00 PM Rosary & Divine Chaplet, followed by Adoration, St. William, 5:00 PM Benediction March 17 6:00 PM Stations of the Cross, St. William, followed by soup- Prayer Class 7:00-8:00 PM March 17 6:00-7:00 PM Adoration, St. John Vianney March 17 5:30 PM Adoration, St. Patrick, Devotions in Spanish 6-7 PM March 18 5:30-7:00 AM “That Man Is You”, St. John Vianney, Marian Hall March 18 9:00-10:00 AM Women’s Scripture Study, St. John Vianney, Marian Hall March 19 8:30 AM-1:00 PM Adoration, St. Patrick March 19 6:30-8:00 PM Soup & Scriptures, St. Patrick, School March 19 7:00-9:30 PM Special Event, presented by all four Janesville Catholic parishes: Live performance, “Made for More”, St. John Vianney, Marian Hall— Tickets are available at your parish office or visit www.corproject.com/janesville March 20 8:45-9:45 AM Adoration, Nativity of Mary March 20 9:00 AM–2:15 PM Adoration, St. John Vianney, 2:20 PM Stations of the Cross March 20 2:00 PM Living Stations of the Cross, Nativity of Mary March 20 2:20 & 5:30 PM Stations of the Cross, St. John Vianney

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