Bulletin for the week of February 28, 2010

LOOKING AHEAD

Feb 26 and all Fridays of Lent: Stations of the Cross, 7:00 PM

Feb 27-28: Campaign for Subscriptions to North Country Catholic

Mar 13-14: Special Catholic Relief Services collection

Mar 14: Daylight Saving Time Begins - clocks ahead 1 hour

Mar 14: Class for those preparing for Confirmation, Parish Center, 7:00 PM

Mar 20-21: Food Shelf Weekend

Apr 30: Ordination of Father Terry LaValley as Bishop, St. Mary’s Cathedral, Ogdensburg

May 9: First Communion, 10:00 AM Mass

June 13: Cadyville Fire Department Field Day

RELIGIOUS WEB SITES

www.homefaith.com (At Home with Our Faith)

www.fisheaters.com (Catholic information)

Mission Intention for March

That the world economy be managed according to the principles of justice and equity, taking account of the real needs of people, especially the poorest.

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP: Hospice of the North Country will be offering Bereavement Support Group consisting of ten bi-monthly sessions (first and third Mondays of the month) beginning on Monday, March 1st continuing through June. Evenings 7:00-9:00 pm at the Hospice Office, 43 Durkee Street, Plattsburgh. For more info phone 561-8465.

EASTER DUTY: All Catholics who have reached the age of reason must confess their serious sins in the Sacrament of Penance at least once a year. They must also receive Holy Communion at least once each year during the Easter season, which this year extends from February 21st, the First Sunday of Lent, until Trinity Sunday, May 30th.

WE HAVE A BISHOP! On February 23rd Pope Benedict XVI appointed Father Terry LaValley as the 14th Bishop of Ogdensburg. He will become Bishop LaValley on April 30th. Bishop-elect LaValley is a native of Mooers Forks. He was born on March 26, 1956. He completed his secondary education at Northeastern Clinton Central School. He received a B.A. from SUNY Plattsburgh. After serving a six-year tour of duty with the United States Navy he entered Wadhams Hall to prepare for becoming a priest to which he was ordained on September 24, 1988. He is currently the Pastor of St. Mary’s Cathedral in Ogdensburg. Lent 2010 is truly a new springtime for our Diocesan Church.

Suggested prayer for Bishop-elect LaValley

God, eternal Shepherd,

you have chosen your servant Terry

to watch over the your flock

and to pastor the Church of Ogdensburg.

Help him to respond wholeheartedly

to your call, “Follow me.”

Among us and for us,

may he be a faithful teacher,

a wise administrator and a holy priest.

Enrich him with the gifts and virtues of a true apostle,

for the good of your people in the North Country.

May he, and all those in his care,

show forth the living presence of Christ in the world;

and come to the joy of everlasting life

in your verdant pastures.

We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

HAITI EARTHQUAKE CONTRIBUTIONS: Sr. Donna Franklin, Diocesan Director of Catholic Charities, has shared with you the following information: Individuals who make a contribution to charities providing relief to Haiti in 2010 may include such contribution as an itemized deduction for their 2009 federal income tax return, so long as the contribution is made prior to March 1, 2010.

AT HOME WITH OUR FAITH: The March issue of At Home with Our Faith is now available at the entrance to the church.

MARRIAGE TIP: Can't find the right words to talk over a sensitive subject with your spouse? Consider talking with your father first - God the Father. Sometimes the quiet of prayer can help us find the words we need. Find more Marriage Rx at www.foryourmarriage.org.

READ THE BIBLE: Perhaps this Lent we can enjoy the gifts given through reading the Bible. Every moment and every event of every person’s life on earth plants something in our soul. . . . each moment brings with it germs of spiritual vitality. This Lent, let’s make the time to review the spiritual teachings we have previously received, overlearn them in order to be formed by them and practice them over and over again.

NORTH COUNTRY CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN: The annual North Country Catholic subscription campaign begins this weekend. The price for a year’s subscription to the paper is $25 for Catholics within the Diocese of Ogdensburg. Support for the Catholic Press in the North Country through patron subscriptions at $35, $50, $100 and $250 allows the newspaper to maintain an affordable subscription rate for all. The North Country Catholic is the best way for us to be informed and stay connected with the 108,000 members of our diocesan family. Please enter your subscription today. Subscription envelopes are available at the entrances of the church.

Bulletin for the week of February 21, 2010

LOOKING AHEAD

Feb 20-21: Food Shelf Weekend

Feb 26 and all Fridays of Lent: Stations of the Cross, 7:00 PM

Feb 27-28: Campaign for Subscriptions to North Country Catholic

Mar 13-14: Special Catholic Relief Services collection

Mar 14: Daylight Saving Time Begins - clocks ahead 1 hour

Mar 20-21: Food Shelf Weekend

May 9: First Communion, 10:00 AM Mass

June 13: Cadyville Fire Department Field Day

RELIGIOUS WEB SITES

www.osv.com (Our Sunday Visitor)

www.fisheaters.com (Catholic information)

Mission Intention for February

That the mentally handicapped might not be marginalized but respected and lovingly helped to live in a way dignifying of their physical and social conditions.

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP: Hospice of the North Country will be offering Bereavement Support Group consisting of ten bi-monthly sessions (first and third Mondays of the month) beginning on Monday, March 1st continuing through June. Evenings 7:00-9:00 pm at the Hospice Office, 43 Durkee Street, Plattsburgh. For more info phone 561-8465.

EASTER DUTY: All Catholics who have reached the age of reason must confess their serious sins in the Sacrament of Penance at least once a year. They must also receive Holy Communion at least once each year during the Easter season, which this year extends from February 21st, the First Sunday of Lent, until Trinity Sunday, May 30th.

HAITI EARTHQUAKE CONTRIBUTIONS: Sr. Donna Franklin, Diocesan Director of Catholic Charities, has shared with you the following information: Individuals who make a contribution to charities providing relief to Haiti in 2010 may include such contribution as an itemized deduction for their 2009 federal income tax return, so long as the contribution is made prior to March 1, 2010.

NORTH COUNTRY CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN: The annual North Country Catholic subscription campaign begins next weekend. Since 1946, the NCC has served as a vital source of information, evangelization and unity for the 108,000 members of our diocesan family. During the coming year, the North Country Catholic will offer the most comprehensive coverage of the arrival of our next bishop, will continue its special observance of the “Year for Priests” and introduce readers to “Women of Faith,” young Catholic writers and Catholics who live out the Gospel of Life every day. Please renew or subscribe through our parish subscription campaign.

LENTEN PRAYER: Father, I abandon myself into your hands; do with me what you will. Whatever you may do, I thank you: I am ready for all; I accept all. Let only your will be done in me and in all your creatures. I wish no more than this. O Lord, into your hands I commend my soul; I offer it to you with all the love of my heart, for I love you, Lord, and so need to give myself, to surrender myself into your hands with no reserve, and with boundless confidence, for you are my Father. (Charles de Foucauld)

LENT - FASTING OR FEASTING: The following Lenten Prayer blends together the idea that Lent is more than a time of fasting. It also increases our awareness of our need for God.

Fast from judging others; feast on the Christ indwelling in them.

Fast from emphasis on differences; feast on the unity of all life.

Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude.

Fast from anger; feast on patience.

Fast from worry; feast on trust.

Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation.

Fast from hostility; feast on non-violence.

Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness.

Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.

Fast from discouragement; feast on hope.

Fast from personal anxiety; feast on eternal truth.

Fast from facts that depress; feast on truths that uplift.

Fast from lethargy; feast on enthusiasm.

Fast from thoughts that weaken, feast on promises that inspire.

Gentle God, during this season of fasting and feasting, gift me with your presence so I can be gift to others in carrying out your work. Amen.

--Source unknown

FOR LENT: To help you make your Lent more spiritual you may want to take some of the pamphlets you find at the entrance to the church.

THE SIGN OF THE CROSS: For early Christians, the Sign of the Cross involved tracing small crosses on the forehead, on the lips and on the heart, as we do at Mass before the reading of the Gospel. The Sign of the Cross is made on Catholics at Baptism, at the Anointing of the Sick and countless times in between. When you reverently bless yourself with the Sign of the Cross, you express belief in God the Father, in God the Son and in God the Holy Spirit from whom all blessings flow. Many women and men wear a cross. We can make our life more spiritual with this ancient gesture and sign.

Bulletin for the week of February 14, 2010

LOOKING AHEAD

Feb 14: Class for those preparing for Confirmation, St. James Parish Center, 7:00 PM

Feb 17: Ash Wednesday. Beginning of Lent, Masses 8:30 and 5:30

Feb 17: Collection for Support of Church in Central and Eastern Europe

Feb 19 and all Fridays of Lent: Stations of the Cross, 7:00 PM

Feb 20-21: Food Shelf Weekend

Feb 27-28: Campaign for Subscriptions to North Country Catholic

Mar 14: Daylight Saving Time Begins - clocks ahead 1 hour

Mar 20-21: Food Shelf Weekend

May 9: First Communion, 10:00 AM Mass

June 13: Cadyville Fire Department Field Day

RELIGIOUS WEB SITES

www.osv.com (Our Sunday Visitor)

www.marylinks.org (Mary Links)

Mission Intention for February

That the mentally handicapped might not be marginalized but respected and lovingly helped to live in a way dignifying of their physical and social conditions.

THE FIRST VALENTINE: In Medieval England, it was commonly held that birds chose their mates on the feast of St. Valentine. As this date approached, a young woman sent a letter assuring her suitor that if he could be content with her small dowry, I would be the merriest maiden on the ground, a good, true and loving Valentine. Ever since, similar hopes have been in the minds and on the lips of countless lovers.

LENT this year begins on with Ash Wednesday, February 17. Lent is the holiest season of the year for Christians, especially Catholics. There are certain sacrifices we make and certain traditions that we observe: Before he began his public ministry, Jesus spent forty days in the desert. He prayed, fasted, confronted temptation, and prepared for the journey that was to come. During Lent, we imitate Jesus in self-denial. We pray, fast, and give of our time and our talents to help others. Using God’s Word and centuries of spiritual practices and devotions, we can little by little, set aside what distracts and harms us, open our lives to deep conversion to the Lord, and emerge ready to enter into the lasting joy of life with the Risen Christ.

LENTEN REGULATIONS 2010

ABSTINENCE: All Catholics who have reached their 14th birthday are bound to abstain totally from meat on the following days: Ash Wednesday (February 17) , all Fridays of Lent (except Friday, March 19th-Solemnity of St. Joseph) & Good Friday (April 2).

FASTING: All Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 are bound also to observe the Law of Fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Fasting, that is, eating less, involves limiting oneself to a single full meal and avoiding food between meals. Lighter nourishment may be taken on two other occasions in the course of the day.

PRAYER & PENANCE: The entire season of Lent should be observed in a spirit of prayer and penance. Spending extra time in prayer or Bible reading, attending daily Mass, voluntary sacrifice and self-denial, combined with works of charity and service to others, are all excellent ways to obey the Lord's command to reform our lives and to prepare for the joyful celebration of Easter.

EASTER DUTY: All Catholics who have reached the age of reason must confess their serious sins in the Sacrament of Penance at least once a year. They must also receive Holy Communion at least once each year during the Easter season, which this year extends from February 21st, the First Sunday of Lent, until Trinity Sunday, May 30th.

OBLIGATION: All Christ’s faithful are obliged by divine law to do penance. The days set aside for fast and abstinence in Lent are special ways of doing penance and are an expression of unity for all the Church.

SPECIAL NOTES: Funeral Masses may not be celebrated on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter. When a marriage is celebrated during Lent, it is to reflect the special penitential nature of the season.

MARRIAGE TIP: Christian marriage is not a 50/50 contract. It's a covenant, which means that each spouse promises to give unreservedly. Find more Marriage Rx at www.foryourmarriage.org.

CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE: Great needs remain in the Church in Central and Eastern Europe. Some parishes still need a proper place to celebrate Mass; some dioceses cannot maintain necessary social and

charitable works; most cannot support basic pastoral work. On Ash Wednesday we ask you to donate generously to the Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe. Give faith to the future.

WORLD MARRIAGE WEEKEND: This weekend has been designated to honor marriage on the theme: Love One Another. Couples might pray together the following prayer: "Father, we thank you for your tremendous gift of the Sacrament of Marriage. Help us to witness to its glory by a life of growing intimacy. Teach us the beauty of forgiveness so we may become more and more One in Heart, Mind and Body. Strengthen our communication and help us become living signs of your love. Make us grow more in love with the church so we may renew the Body of Christ. Make us a sign of unity

in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Brother.”

FOR LENT: To help you make your Lent more spiritual you may want to take some of the pamphlets you find at the entrance to the church.