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THIRD SUNDAY
OF
LENT
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CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST |
| Our Lady of Victory |
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St. Malachy
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| Sunday - 9:00 A.M. |
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Saturday - 7:00 P.M. |
Q U E S T I O N O F T H E W E E K |
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THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
Source of strength |
| Reading I |
Exodus 17:3-7 (water from the rock) |
| Reading II |
Romans 5:1-2,5-8 (faith, hope and love) |
| Gospel |
John 4:5-42 (the Samaritan woman at the well) |
| Key Passage |
Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life." (John 4:13-14)
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| We thirst for many things. Do we thirst for God? |
| Do we thirst for what God offers us in Jesus?
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Pastor |
William Marrevee s.c.j. |
Email |
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Rectory |
490 Charles Street
Gatineau, Québec J8L 2K5 |
Secretary |
Monday and Thursday 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. |
Telephone |
(819) 986-3763 |
Fax |
(819) 986-9889 |
A sincere welcome to those who are new among us. We hope you find a warm and welcoming faith-home with us. Please introduce yourself after Mass and call the Rectory to register.
THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT (A) FEBRUARY 27, 2005
| WED. |
02 - 9:00 a.m. |
For the holy souls in Purgatory by donor |
| SAT. |
05 - 7:00 p.m.
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Denise Pearson by the family |
| SUN. |
06 - 9:00 a.m. |
Lyall Sicard by Nan & family
Helen, Harold & Sean Cullen by Maureen & Norbert Ricard |
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Friday, 7:00 p.m., O.L.V.
SANCTUARY LAMP - O.L.V.
February 27-March 12 for the special intentions of Roger Gauthier.
LENT - WE CLIMB THE HOLY MOUNTAIN OF EASTER
The Lenten season gives us a rich fair of Scripture readings. That is especially true of the Scripture readings for the Sundays of Lent. What they have in common is that they all prepare us for the celebration of the central mystery of the Christian faith: The Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Not all Scripture readings can be mentioned here, but notice this fixed pattern of the Gospel readings in Lent. The first Sunday always deals with the Temptation of Jesus in the desert; temptations that threaten every Christian but that by the power of Jesus' Spirit we are able to deal with. The second Sunday always gives us the story of Jesus' Transfiguration, a preview of His resurrection and glory in which we are called to share.
When it comes to the 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays of Lent, the Gospel readings follow a different pattern over a three-year cycle. This year we are in year A. The focus is on the Baptism, the baptismal orientation of the Christian life. That is why we are given three lengthy passages from John's Gospel that each brings out an aspect of baptism:
| 3rd Sunday: |
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The Samaritan woman at the well (John 4) from sin/thirst to grace/living water
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| 4th Sunday: |
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The healing of the man born blind (John 9) from darkness/blindness to light/sight
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| 5th Sunday: |
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The raising of Lazarus (John 11) from death to resurrection.
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These Gospel passages remind us that the Christian life is an ongoing passing over from sin and darkness and death into grace and light and life. How far are we on that "passing over"?
AT ST. MALACHY - EASTER SUNDAY 9:00 A.M. EUCHARIST
Yes, there will be a Mass on Easter Sunday at St. Malachy. It took a bit of work, but we have an extra priest to help us out. We'll take a closer look to see how necessary this is.
Easter Sunday is part of the Three Great Days, the so-called Easter Triduum which starts on Holy Thursday evening. The Holy Thursday service, the Good Friday service and the Easter Vigil we'll do together at O.L.V. That stands to reason. Those are the most important days for us as Christians and we want to celebrate them the best we can. It would be normal that we set time aside so that we can participate in all three services. Here we celebrate what makes us Christian. These days with their services are important enough to have us set other things aside. It is not a bad idea to make that point at this "crucial weekend" for us as Christians. The Jews can do this sort of thing, the Muslims can do it; we as Christian have very good reasons to do it too!
"FAITH FORMATION OF CHILDREN" - HOW IS THAT DONE?
Last Monday a few PPC members met for the third time with some parents that have young children. For a part this was a spin-off from the good experience we had around the children's involvement in the Christmas story this past Christmas.
The way last Monday's meeting went it seems we are moving in the direction of more children's involvement in the proclamation of the Passion Narrative on Palm Sunday. Naturally, this takes some preparation sessions during the weeks leading up to Palm Sunday (March 20). Let us hope it works! Our thanks to the PPC members who are putting things in place for this. It is amazing how much time, work and faith go into it!
Forming children in the faith we cherish takes more than the occasional involvement in a church service. We will not find in a church service the reality that we have not already "bumped into and rubbed shoulders with" in day-to-day life: the God of Jesus whose precious children we all are, young and old. It seems to be so difficult for many today to stay in touch with and interact with that God. No wonder what we do in church becomes boring and irrelevant.
All this to say there are no quick fixes or instant solutions to the question how children are formed in the faith. But surely we would want to support each other in taking small steps in that direction. And this not just for the sake of the children, but so that our own faith may continue to grow and mature.
IN THE DESERT WITH JESUS - ANOTHER WAY OF LOOKING AT LENT
There are many layers to Lent. There are 40 days to the Lenten season. They remind us of the 40 days of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness. These, in turn, recall the 40 years of Israel's temptation in the wilderness on their journey to the Promised Land.
What kind of a place is the desert? Our Bible associates some basic notions or themes with the desert. During Lent you'll find a golden rod slip attached to the Sunday bulletin covering each week a key biblical theme. In some small way it may help us get to know the Bible and it may provide some food for thought for the Lenten period.
CONGRATULATIONS to Carmel Gauthier who is celebrating her 90th birthday. May you be blessed with health and happiness.
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
St. Andrew's United Church (570 Ave. de Buckingham), Friday, March 4, 2:00 p.m. All welcome!
ARTISTS
A group of artists meets Monday evenings, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in O.L.V. Hall. Some painting experience is preferable as there is no teacher. Cost is $2.00 per evening.
RAFFLE
Tickets on sale at O.L.V. for a painting donated by Jeanine Cressey. Drawing at the St. Patrick's Tea.
ST. PATRICK'S DANCE
Saturday, March 12, 8:30 p.m.-1:00 a.m., Centre Recreatif Forestier, Julie/Chantal, 1361 Rte 315, L'Ange Gardien , Sponsored by Canada Day Committee. Music provided by Gary Fairburne. Adm.; $6.00.
ST. PATRICK'S TEA
Thursday, March 17, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
| Weekly Receipts |
O.L.V. |
St. Malachy |
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Regular |
$ 515 |
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THANK YOU! |
