web viewin today’s second reading, (the letter to the romans) paul speaks about god’s...

Our Mother of Perpetual Help Church April 2, 2017Ephrata, PA Fifth Sunday of Lent

My Dear Parishioners,

We see a bulletin announcement from our parish social justice group asking for volunteers to help at a soup kitchen or help at the local homeless shelter. That group does so many good things for the poor and needy and we know it would be a rewarding experience for us if we joined them. But we are afraid we might become too committed, afraid of actually meeting and getting to know poor and needy people (like we might somehow “catch” their poverty), afraid of the surprised reactions of over our sudden “do-good-ism”. So instead of joining we stay in our comfortable little tomb.

Someone we know has been diagnosed with a serious illness, or they have lost their job, or their son or daughter has gotten into major trouble with the law. We would like to call them or we would like to offer them some assistance. But we do not really know how. We are at a loss as what to say or what to do or what to offer. Besides, we reason and conclude that there are other people who are a lot closer to them who can help them better than we can. We decide it is better that we not get involved and stay in our safe little tomb.

Very often the tombs we create for our protection, our comfort, our safety, our pleasure can actually become graves in which our hopes, our need to love and be loved, and our dreams of forgiveness and reconciliation disintegrate and die. We become wrapped up in some obsession, some distraction, or some behavior that prevents us from being the kind of spouse, parent, child, friend, or neighbor that we are called to be or what we want to be. Today’s Scripture readings remind us that we have to leave our tombs to live life to the fullest by bringing God’s love into our hurting and entombed world.

Today’s first reading from the Book of the prophet Ezekiel (though it seems to speak of resurrection) is actually a prediction of the renewed vitality of the whole people of Israel after their exile from Jerusalem in 587 B.C. The Israelites seemed dead: the Temple had been destroyed, the land wasted, and their leaders taken into custody. For too long the Israelites resisted every effort on God’s part to steer them back to the ideal traditions of their

ancestors. They ignored those traditions; they looked for security in earthly resources instead of in God. Those earthly resources failed them so they ended up in exile. But in today’s oracle from Ezekiel the Israelites are reminded that all is not lost. According to Ezekiel all that had happened to the Israelites was part of God’s plan. The good news for them is that eventually God will revive them and bring them back to the Promised Land.

In the section before today’s passage Ezekiel painted a picture of dry bones. The bones of the Israelite warriors who had fallen in battle and remained unburied littered the plains of the battlefield. For Ezekiel, that Death Valley scene represented Israel’s dashed hopes. Like dry bones lying in a grave, there was no hope or no chance for new life for Israel. Today’s passage shifts the metaphor from bones to graves. God has good news for the Israelites as He will open their graves and bring them back to life. God’s life-giving breath will restore His people as a group and will give them His own life in resettling them upon their homeland. For the Jewish community this action of God of recreating, restoring, and raising up His people reminded them of the creating Spirit with Adam in the beginning, the restoring Spirit at the time of Noah and the great flood, and the powerful Spirit in the words of the prophets. Thus the community would know without doubt that Yahweh is their only God.

In today’s second reading, (The Letter to the Romans) Paul speaks about God’s mercy which is revealed in Jesus’ resurrection. Today’s passage considers what wonders we can do when we put God in the center of our lives. Paul distinguishes between two widely contrasting kinds of life: the life of the flesh and the life of the spirit. Flesh for Paul did not mean the body. Flesh for Paul meant pretty much the same as what Ezekiel meant by dry bones and graves. The life of the flesh-which is the life of nature-is dominated by the self; it has no future; it is on its way to death; it is ultimately self-destroying. People who live according to the flesh are spiritually dead and cut off from Christ. People who espouse the Spirit, on the other hand (in other words, the life of grace) have God as their center and are spiritually alive. They die but die to rise again. They have a future, are on a path of true life, and are self-fulfilling.

______________________________________________________________________________www.omph.org (Church & School) www.hbgdiocese.org (Diocese)

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Today’s Gospel story (the raising of Lazarus) is the final sign in John’s series of events aimed at manifesting how Jesus is the revelation of the Father. The raising of Lazarus is the culmination of the signs Jesus performs in the first half of John’s Gospel. Jesus is revealed not only as the one who gives life but as the very highest form of life: Resurrection Life. This means that Jesus has full power over life and death. In John’s Gospel the raising of Lazarus miracle will be the direct motivation for the Jewish officials’ determination for putting Jesus to death.

The Gospel story begins with the news that Lazarus (a close friend of Jesus) is seriously ill. However Jesus does not immediately go to see Lazarus but rather stays where He was for two more days. By the time Jesus arrives to see Lazarus he has already been dead for several days. Lazarus’ sister Martha voices her regret to Jesus: “If you had been with him earlier, things would surely have turned out differently.” But Jesus’ absence is essential to the story. John tells us at the beginning of his account that through the death of Lazarus the Son of God (Jesus) will be glorified. The death of Lazarus will serve to show Jesus as the Life.

The theological heart of the Lazarus story takes place in vs. 17-37. After discovering that Lazarus is already in the tomb Jesus engages in conversation with Lazarus’ sisters Martha and Mary over the issue of death and resurrection. Both sisters repeat the traditional Jewish belief in the resurrection of the body on the final day. Jesus attempts to get Martha and Mary to understand that He is the Resurrection and Life. He tells them that those who believe in Him will have access to Resurrection and Life right away. Resurrection and Life is a present reality now in Jesus-not something coming at the end of time. Unfortunately neither Martha nor Mary is able to completely grasp the real meaning of what Jesus is telling them.

After telling Martha and Mary that their brother will rise again Jesus proves His point. Jesus goes to Lazarus’ tomb and demands that the stone covering the entrance be removed. The darkness of the tomb is not too dark for Jesus. Lazarus’ death does not mean that it is too late for Jesus to be the

Resurrection and Life. In a loud voice Jesus calls to the dead: “Lazarus, come out!” The great miracle is that while he is dead Lazarus hears the words of Jesus and obeys. Hearing the voice of the Son of God, Lazarus lives again. Dramatically, Lazarus, still wearing the clothes of a dead man is alive and well and he hobbles out of the tomb. Since Lazarus is still enshrouded, Jesus tells the crowd: “Unbind him; let him go free.” Paradoxically, Jesus restoring Lazarus to life would lead to His own death. And ironically, Jesus’ death gives true life to the world.

The story of the raising of Lazarus proclaims the great truth that Jesus is the Lord of Life. Jesus has power to call us out of our tombs. The Christian life only begins when we hear the word of God and obey it. Jesus’ voice calls us away from making the tomb our natural habitat. As Jesus called Lazarus to life, may we hear that same call to life: to free ourselves from the expectations, the competitions, and the cravings that bind us up. Jesus’ voice also challenges us to take responsibility for our brothers and sisters. There are so many people in our world who are entombed in hopelessness, who are entangled in the bindings of despair, who are buried alive in the conviction that they do not matter. If we see someone entombed we are invited to do as Jesus did in today’s Gospel: call them and help them free themselves from their tombs of dark hopelessness and the fear and sadness that bind them. If we do that as part of our Lenten journey then Easter Resurrection will become a reality. Have a blessed week.

Love & prayers,Fr. John

EASTER TRIDUUM

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


PARISH LENTEN PENANCE SERVICE

We will have a Lenten Penance Service on WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5 at 7PM in the Church. Several priests will be available to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation with you. Come out and experience God’s forgiving and healing power in this joyful Sacrament.




urge every parishioner, wherever you may be on these days, to attend the main service on each day: Mass on Holy Thursday (the Mother of all Masses), the Good Friday Liturgy Service (commemorating Jesus' death), and the Easter Vigil and Mass (celebrating redemption and resurrection.

HOLY THURSDAY – APRIL 13Tenebrae 9 AM (Latin for "shadows" or "darkness")

is service celebrated on the evening before or early morning of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday, which are the last three days of Holy Week. The distinctive

ceremony of Tenebrae is the gradual extinguishing of candles while a series of readings and psalms is chanted or recited.

The Lord’s Supper Mass 7:00

GOOD FRIDAY – APRIL 14 Tenebrae 9:00 AM

Liturgy of the Passion 3:00 PM Stations of the Cross 7:00 PM

HOLY SATURDAY – APRIL 15Tenebrae 9:00 AM

Easter Basket Blessing Tradition 11 AM

Easter Vigil Mass 8:00 PMEASTER VIGIL

This Saturday during the Easter Vigil we welcome into full communion with the whole church members of our parish.

The Lord has called them by name from all eternity. You, and all of us, shall be called GOD’S DELIGHT because your God rejoices in you!We also wish to celebrate all those men and women who over the years have come into full communion with us. May the Holy Spirit always guide them closer to Jesus.

EASTER SUNDAY – APRIL 57:30, 9:00, 11:00 Masses

LENTEN APPEAL2017 Bishop’s Annual Lenten Appeal

“I give you an example.” John 13:15We have begun our Annual Diocesan Lenten Appeal. We need every family/household in our parish to support the Appeal in order that we may meet our

assigned assessment figure. Our assessment figure for this year is $104,900. The funds collected for the Lenten Appeal help support the numerous Pastoral, Charitable, Educational, and Spiritual Programs in our diocese (Catholic Charities, Respect Life, Adult Religious Formation, Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Catholic Schools and Religious Education Programs, Prison Ministry, Ministry with Homeless Persons, Ministry with Persons with Disabilities, Ministry with Immigrants, and Evangelization Programs-to name a few.) I hope and pray that everyone would consider supporting the vital important ministries of our diocese by making a pledge and contributing to this year’s Appeal. I also want to express my appreciation and gratitude to those who contributed to the Bishop’s Appeal in previous years. Please note that funds raised during this year’s Appeal that surpass our parish assessment figure will be returned to us and placed in our Parish Saving’s Account. Likewise, if we do not meet our assessment figure, funds will be taken out of our Savings Account to make up the difference. For more information about this year’s Appeal and if you need pledge envelops, please see the display in our Church narthex. May God bless you and your loved ones for your kindness, generosity and support.

Thank YouFr. John

CATHOLIC BIBLE STUDYHow do we study a Bible? Where do I start? Who wrote the Bible? Do Catholics study the bible? How can I get more out of the Bible?

What does the Church tell us about the Bible and where can I find it? Which book should I read first? Should I read it cover to cover?





In this three-part bible study we examine those questions and more. After this Bible study you will be able to pick up your Bible with confidence by knowing what resources to use to aide your understanding in Sacred Scripture.

“In Sacred Scripture, the Church constantly finds her nourishment and her strength, for she welcomes it not as a human word, but as what it really is, the word of God. In the sacred books, the Father who is in heaven comes lovingly to meet his children, and talks with them.”(CCC,104)

For more information, feel free to contact, Jim Lawson Deacon Candidate 799-0080.

ANNIVERSARY OF FATIMA APPARITIONSYour Heavenly Father Wants to Heal You”

The Hispanic Charismatic Community invites all to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima with a healing retreat at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 310 Hertzler Road Mechanicsburg PA 17055. English session will be on May 12 at 12:30 PM and Spanish session will be on May 13 at 8:00 AM. Special Guest: Fr. Daniel Gagnon. For additional information and to register, please contact your prayer group, Lori Ribic: [email protected] or Rosy Gonzalez: 903-1111 or [email protected].

PRISON MINISTRYInterested in helping others through Prison Ministry? – A daylong conference for new and current prison ministry volunteers will be held at the Cardinal Keeler Center in Harrisburg on April 29. It will focus on evangelization, existing programs and reentry services. The registration fee is $10 and including lunch. The day includes: a keynote address by Fr. Marty McGeough, Coordinator of Prison Ministries for the Diocese of Trenton, breakout sessions and panel discussions. Fr. Paul Schenck will celebrate Mass. Register online at www.hbgdiocese.org/evangelization or request registration form in the parish office. For additional information please call 657-4804 ext. 313 or email [email protected]

MASS INTENTIONSMonday, April 3 7:00 Jeremy Colosimo 9:00 Constance Winters Tuesday, April 4, St. Isidore of Seville 7:00 Deacon McKenna 9:00 John McKenna Wednesday, April 5, St. Vincent Ferrer 7:00 John McKenna 9:00 Allison Gmerek

Thursday, April 6 7:00 Arabel Palkoyic 9:00 Melania AriatastoFriday, April 7, St. John the Baptist de la Salle 7:00 Arabel Palkoyic 9:00 Mike KizeikSaturday, April 8 10:00 Sacrament of Confirmation 5:00 Helen PhillipsSunday, April 9, Palm Sunday 7:30 For the Parishioners 9:00 Max Kessler11:00 Luit Liebl

IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERSWe will be publishing the names of your dear loved ones who are seriously ill or injured. We will keep them in the bulletin for one month. 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 19: Richard WarnerMarch 26: Melissa Kurtz, Joann Dever, Bob SugraApril 3: Tony Cicero, Jean Givler, Abigail Lowe-Critchfield, Margie Willwerth

Date Amount Needed Difference3-26-17 $15,536.07 $14,326.00 $1,210.07YTD Amount YTD Needed Difference3-26-17 $545,252.04 $558,714.00 ($13,461.96)

Don’t forget to SAVE THE DATE for OMPH VBS! Join us at Maker Fun Factory July 9 – 13 from 5:45 p.m. to 8:20 p.m.

Look for volunteer sign up in the hallway in the upcoming

weeks. Call Carolyn at 799-8222 with any questions. See you there!!

ADORATION OF T HE BLESSED SACRAMENT





Martha makes a great Lenten companion for us. Hers is the kind of transformation Jesus wants to bring about in all of us. At first, Martha trusts that Jesus can answer her prayers, but Martha doesn’t believe it can happen now. Jesus asks if she believes he is the resurrection and the life. Martha responds generally: “I have come to believe that you are the Christ” Jesus asks Martha to open the tomb, she hesitates. So Jesus nudges her forward: “Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?” You can see it here and now, not just in some distant future. Martha needs to apply her faith. Every Sunday this Lent, Jesus has been leading us to take another step forward in faith. As he did with Martha, he brings us along gradually. Even if we waver, he waits for us to say yes to the next step.

SANCTUARY LAMP You 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 the Helen Philips.

RESPECT LIFE

LET OUR LIFE BE "YES!"Life equals joy as Saint Pope John Paul ll stated. "Maybe there is another point: for all people are born at your "yes." This must be understood: such a yes in imitation of Mary, such a yes creates joy, a new life, a breath, a blessing. A yes like Mary's: what a blessing! What fullness of good in the world! A yes from Mary: how much blessing! What joy, what felicity! What salvation! What hope... And Mary is seen by many as the ultimate pro-life mom...Mother of our Lord."

Dave Olszewski

HERSHEYPARK TICKET OFFERDiscount tickets to Hersheypark are available to friends and families of the parish at a significant savings. FORMS ARE IN THE NARTHEX.

Orders must be in the parish office by 4 PM, April 19 th

PSST !!!!!!!!!! THEY GO QUICK!!!!!!Get them while you can!!!!! The Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary’s 4th Annual Peanut Butter Egg Sale made with Wilbur Chocolate. This year we will have even more Dark Chocolate and Milk Chocolate to choose from. Each box will contain 12- 1/2oz. Peanut Butter Eggs for only $8.00. No need to pre-order this year we will have plenty. Eggs will be available after all masses on April 8th and 9th. Don’t miss out on these fabulous eggs. Any questions you may contact Rita Pfautz at 733-9247


Religious Education Corner:

This Week’s Corporal Work of Mercy

Visit The Imprisoned:Donate Bibles, Rosaries or other religious items to a local prison.

Get involved with an organization that helps the children of prisoners.

Write to someone you may know who is incarcerated.

This Week’s Spiritual Work of Mercy

Bear Wrongs Patiently:Pray for someone who irritates you.

Pray for patience when dealing with difficult people and/or situations.

Show patience in your interactions with others.

Our RE Class Schedule For The Remainder Of The Year Is As Follows:

Sunday, April 2nd – RE Classes In SessionMonday, April 3rd – RE Classes In Session

Sunday, April 9th – RE Classes In SessionMonday, April 10th – RE Classes In Session

Happy Easter! Sunday, April 16th – NO RE ClassesMonday, April 17th – NO RE Classes

Last RE Classes Of The Year Sunday, April 23rd – RE Classes ResumeMonday, April 24th – RE Classes Resume

Kelly Lawrence




Thank you Ladies Auxiliary

FOOD BANK REMINDER!While we greatly appreciate each and every donation, below are some do's and don'ts for food bank donations (or any organization collecting multipleitems):

DO: if you are buying more than one item, consider buying all of the same item. It is easier for volunteers sorting if we receive 6 cans of tomato soup rather than one can of tomato, one can of chicken noodle, etc... . DO: Buy nonperishable items you regularly serve to your family.

DON'T: donate any items that are opened, dented, leaking, or expired. Unfortunately, we cannot use these items and take up valuable volunteer hours sorting and discarding unusable items.

LASTLY: We are in great need of a few items for our food bank : Macaroni, peas, green beans, canned pasta, and canned peaches/pears.

Please consider purchasing some during your next grocery trip!

Nonperishable food items can be placed in the food bank crate in the narthex of the church.

As always, we are humbled by our parishioners continued generosity!

ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION PRESENTSOur FIRST EVER Designer Bag Bingo!!!! Saturday April 29th from 1-4 PM. Doors will open at 12 noon $20 per ticket includes 20 BINGO games!

Win Designer Bags – Michael Kors, COACH, Kate Spade, Thirty-One and MORE! Food/Drink will be available for purchase! Tickets will be for sale after all masses in April, but for more information contact, Kerry Pepper at [email protected] 721-6766.

LANCASTER CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOLSummer Camps sponsored by Lancaster Catholic High School are now open for registration. Join us for academic, fine & performing arts, and athletic camps throughout the summer! Visit www.lchsyes.org/admissions/summer _ programs for more information and registration instructions.

OMPH ALUMNICalling all OMPH alumni! Join us on Saturday, September 16. All classes welcome to celebrate the schools 60th year! For more info- find us on Facebook under OMPH reunion. Thank you! Lauren DePaul Caramenico.

OMPH SCHOOL REGISTRATION FOR 2017-18

WE ARE ENROLLING! Registration is now open to all parish families for Preschool through Grade 8 for the 2017-2018 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 738-2414. Financial aid is available to qualifying families through FACTS Grant and Aid Assessment. The deadline to apply for financial aid is April 1 st ! 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!

SPRING IS HEREIt’s time for the OMPH School 25th Annual

Benefit Golf Tournament on May 10 Honeybrook Golf Club


SAVE THE DATE SCHOOL EVENTS




Enjoy a fun filled day of golf at a first class course. Prizes and contests including a chance to win a trip for two to the 2018 Super Bowl or $15,000 cash.

A single golfer is only $90 and includes golf at Honeybrook Golf Course, cart, range balls, contests, prizes, light breakfast, grilled lunch and refreshments.

Advertising through sponsorship reaches members of surrounding business communities as well as school families and friends and is available by contacting the School Development Office at 738-2414.

LCHS ONE DAY GIVEHow would you like to own a piece of the Old Rossmere Stadium? You can! Catholic High's own

art teacher, Mr. Dick Ressel, is crafting a few limited edition commemorative sculptures made from the actual turf from the 50-yard line. Visit

www.lchsyes.org/rossmereauction/ for more information on how to bid!

On Wednesday, April 5, Catholic High will provide an opportunity for students, faculty, staff, families, and businesses throughout the community to participate in the One Day of Giving. The One Day of Giving is a vital part of the Annual Fund, and without it, frankly, Catholic High's doors would not stay open. Please consider donating on this special day and stay tuned for more details as we get closer to the One Day of Giving on April 5!

Lancaster Catholic's Fine & Performing Arts department is proud to announce April & May events including "Going Home", "The Confessionals", and "Shrek the Musical". Visit www.lchsyes.org/FPAupcomingevents/ for more information (dates, times, ticketing, etc.). Hope to see you there!

ST. RAPHAEL’S SINGLESAre you a single, Catholic, 35-55 year old in the Lancaster area looking for ways to meet other Catholic singles? St. Raphael’s Singles is a new group, focused on spiritual, service, and social events to build a network of friends with similar interests and beliefs. Join us for dinner on Saturday, April 29 th

at 7:00pm at the Federal Taphouse (201 N Queen St, Lancaster). Please email Jeanette Craymer ([email protected]) if you are interested in

attending this or any future event by Monday, April 24th.




web viewin today’s second reading, (the letter to the romans) paul speaks about god’s...

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