bulletin 3-20-16

PALM SUNDAY

ST. NICHOLAS PARISH From the Pastor’s Desk This weekend we observe Palm/Passion Sunday. We begin the business of Holy Week. Needless to say, this is the most important week of the Church Year. You have heard me before and I will say it again, this is not the week for fun, games and vacations. Spiritually and liturgically this is the most intense week of Lent. It is the most important time of the Church. Properly understood it is the most important time for every Christian. The observance of this week deserves our utmost attention, devotion and prayerfulness. Regrettably we have lost that sense of intensity and importance. Let us refocus our personal efforts to enter into this important time. Let the Liturgies of Holy Week draw you ever deeper into the Paschal Mystery. The scheduled events for the week are listed in this bulletin. Please note well the times for confessions this week. Again there are various hours listed to accommodate our senior parishioners who are home during the day. There are morning times as well as some afternoon times. I will not be able to have any evening times this week since I have no free evenings. Please take advantage of these remaining times to spiritually prepare yourself for the celebration of Easter. Monday we conclude our Lenten Program. We will view Bishop Robert Barron’s “Catholicism” episode on the Eucharist and the Mass. This episode stands on its own merits. If you have not attended the Lenten Program you are most welcome to join us Monday evening. Tuesday evening the priests of the diocese will gather at the Cathedral for the Chrism Mass. This is the mass in which the Bishop consecrates the oils to be used for the year. At this mass the Bishop will consecrate the Oil of the Catechumens for anointing at Baptism, Sacred Chrism for anointing at Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders, and the Oil of the Infirmed for the anointing of the sick. The priests will also renew the promises they made at the time of their ordination. Holy Thursday evening we will celebrate the Liturgy of the Lord’s Supper. With this liturgy we solemnly begin our Easter Triduum. This Liturgy commemorates the events of the Last Supper and Jesus going with his disciples to the Garden of Olives to pray. Following this Liturgy the Church will be open for personal prayer and adoration until 11:00 p.m. This is an important and solemn liturgy. This liturgy commemorates the establishment of the Holy Eucharist and Holy Orders. If you have not attended the liturgy in the past you are most encouraged to join us this year. Good Friday the liturgy of the Lord’s Passion will be observed at 2:00 p.m. Again this solemn liturgy draws us deeper into the suffering and death of the Lord. Through the reading of Sacred Scripture, especially the Passion and Crucifixion according to St. John, and the prayers of the Church we are drawn into a deep reflection into the Love and Faithfulness of our God. In the face of wickedness, sin and death the only thing we have to hold on to is the love and faithfulness of God revealed in and through our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the most important and gracious gift from God. If you have not been to this liturgy you are encouraged to join us. The Easter Vigil begins at sundown on Saturday evening. The Vigil will begin around or after 8:15 pm. During this Liturgy Catechumens and Converts to the faith are welcomed, Baptized, Confirmed and receive their First Holy communion with the Catholic Church. The following morning, Easter

Sunday, masses will be at their regularly scheduled times. I cannot stress it enough; Holy Week is the most solemn time for us. It is very important that we keep a sense of quiet reflection and prayerfulness throughout the week. I encourage one and all to turn off the TVs, the radios, the unnecessary activities and traveling and allow yourself to be drawn into the sacred character of this holy time. Recalling the focus of this year’s Lenten season set by the Gospel of St. Luke, we focus on repentance. The last three Sundays have followed this theme. We heard the call to repent; the story of the Prodigal Son and last Sunday from the St. John we listened to the story of the woman caught in adultery. All these episodes affirmed the reality of sin and our need to repent. Often we do not consider the reality of sin in our personal lives. We go about our daily business and rarely consider that some of our activities are indeed sinful. This coincides with the simple fact that during the normal course of our daily lives we rarely make an active and conscious attempt to cooperate with the grace of God. We do not consider that some of our “normal” daily activities are sinful just as we do not consider our Christian duty to grow in holiness. We just don’t consider our daily lives in terms of our Catholic Christian faith on a deeper level. Looking at last Sunday’s gospel about the woman caught in the act of adultery. The Pharisees were primarily trying to set a trap for Jesus. Their hearts were already hardened toward Jesus. They were willing to use the woman caught in adultery to get at Jesus. Such were their intentions that they did not perceive themselves as having sinful hearts. They were hiding behind their status and the Law of Moses. They recalled Moses’ command to stone such women and wanted to see where Jesus stood. Ironically they brought the woman to Jesus who knows all human hearts and did not give into their trap. Jesus did however bring their sinful hearts to their attention “Whoever is without sin may cast the first stone.” The response was silence followed by the Pharisees slowly walking away. The self-righteous Pharisees were invited to examine their consciences. Instead of having the condemnation they wanted they stumbled upon an invitation to examine their consciences and their wicked intentions. Often in our daily lives we do not examine our conscience. We do not seriously acknowledge our sinfulness until we are invited or forced to take inventory of our lives. We may think over the day, but we rarely consider our lives in broader terms of sin. It is only when we bring our lives before the Lord that we may find ourselves stumbling upon the light of truth. It is in the presence of Christ that we are able to have a clear vision of our lives. Jesus is gracious and merciful. Being gracious does not mean that our sins do not matter. It means that the sinner matters and that we are not condemned. Our response to the grace and mercy of Jesus is to use this opportunity to be thankful and to live in a manner worthy of such loving forgiveness. That is why Jesus was patient with the woman; he offered her mercy and told her not to sin again. Jesus made a judgment on the sin but not the sinner. This is what the Pharisees refused to do because of their hardened hearts. An important lesson we can learn from this Gospel is that Jesus is very patient with the sinner. Jesus is patient with all of us. Our need for a Savior implies that we are sinners. Sadly, we causally admit that we are sinners as well as we casually acknowledge Jesus Christ as our savior. This week we pause and look deeper into our lives in our relationship with Jesus Christ. We will not grow in greater appreciation and our need

MARCH 20, 2016 for a Savior until we accept this invitation to prayer and reflection on our lives touched by the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Church provides the liturgies of Holy Week to assist us in this very important aspect of our faith life. As we pray during this Holy Week we reflect upon God’s supreme Faithfulness and His tremendous Love for us. We seek His forgiveness for our lack of faith and our lack of love. We seek His mercy and grace. As we recall his sacred passion and death we pray that we may grow in Faith and Love with the Hope in having a share in his Glorious Resurrection. Have a Blessed Holy Week. Father Ralko

Church Support March 13, 2016 OFFERTORY Diocesan Tax Fenwick Subsidy Rosecrans subsidy Available for Parish Operations Parish Operating Expenses Religious Education Expenses Other Income Weekly deficit May God bless you for supporting your parish

$11,277.00 $ (650.00) $(3,060.00) ($290.00) $7,277.00 $(8,200.00) $(800.00) $2,300.00 $ 255.00

Thank you and God Bless. This week we pray Week II of the Liturgy of the hours. We pray for the following who have died recently: Thomas L. Morosco and Carol M. Smith

YOUTH GROUP NEWS Sunday, March 20th, High School Students will continue working on the Walking Stations of the Cross. Students will prepare prayers for the Walking Stations of the Cross. NOTE THE CHANGE IN TIME. Students will meet at the St. Nicholas Teen Center. We begin with lunch at 12:30 p.m. and will be finished about 2:30 p.m. Walking Stations of the Cross - Good Friday, March 25th. 9:00 a.m. All are invited to join us as we recall Christ's walk to Golgatha. We will walk through the City of Zanesville stopping to pray at various locations throughout the city as we reflect on each station and remember Christ's suffering and pray for our brothers and sisters in our own community who are struggling with the crosses of illness, hunger, homelessness, addiction and poverty. All are welcome. Students not accompanied by parents must have a completed permission slip to participate. The Walk begins and ends in St. Nicholas Church. The Parish Office will be closed on Good Friday, March 25 and Easter Monday, March 28. Fr. Ralko and the Parish Staff wish everyone a Blessed Easter.

PRE JORDAN CLASS St. Nicholas will hold a Pre Jordan Class for parents and sponsors of infants and small children who are to be baptized on Tuesday, March 29 at 7:00 PM in the St. Nicholas Parish Office Building. Please call Mary Lou Staker at 740 453-7141 to register. NEW LITURGICAL MINISTERS SCHEDULE For those who didn’t get their new schedule via e mail, please pick one up next to the sign-in stand this weekend. BISHOP ROSECRANS HIGH SCHOOL Tuesday 3/22 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. BRHS New Student registration and class scheduling  Tuition Assistance Applications due by 3:00 p.m. Thursday 3/31 for any family requesting tuition assistance from BRHS.  Freshmen & New Bishops Orientation Monday 8/22 from 10am-1pm (lunch provided) Check the school online calendar for other important dates and deadlines www.rosecrans.cdeducation.org 

SADIE CORRY PILGRIMAGE TO CAREY We will leave from the K of C in Sunrise Center, Zanesville at 7:55 A.M. on Wednesday, May 4th and return about 6:45 P.M. Cost is $25.00 and you may purchase your lunch at the cafeteria. Paid reservations are needed by March 30 th. Make checks payable to Margaret Kronenbitter, 2700 Wayne Ridge Rd., Zanesville, OH 43701. For information call Mary Murphy at 452-4454 or Margaret at 453-7657. DIVORCED? Is anyone in YOUR family DIVORCED? The Catholic’s DIVORCE SURVIVAL Guide 12-week program features 30-minute DVD shows each week that cover topics of shock, denial, anger, grief, guilt, forgiveness, money, the courts, the kids, the ex-spouse, annulment, dating, sexuality, spirituality, remarriage or staying single, and much more. Whether you got divorced ten days ago or ten years ago, the program offers valuable insight for everyone. The DVD series includes Catholic men and women who share their gutwrenching but inspiring stories of divorce and recovery. You’ll cry, laugh and be encouraged. PLEASE JOIN US. The group begins Monday, March 28, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in the St. Nicholas Parish Office Upstairs Meeting room (955 East Main Street). The program is free and includes a “Personal Survival Guide”. Find comfort and counsel consistent with Catholic teachings. Sorry, no child care available. Call the St. Nicholas Parish Office to register. - For more information about The Catholic’s DIVORCE SURVIVAL Guide go to http://www.catholicsdivorce.com/ MONDAY NIGHT LENTEN PROGRAM During Lent, Fr. Ralko is offering a program focusing on the Mass. He is using Dr. Edward Sri’s video presentation on “The Mass”. Dr. Edward Sri is a nationally-known Catholic speaker and the author of several books. His presentations are easy to understand and inspiring. Father is confident that many will find them helpful in understanding the Mass better with the hopeful outcome of greater participation in this great prayer of the Church. The program will be held in the Church on Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. All are most welcome to join us.

PALM SUNDAY LITURGICAL MINISTERS SCHEDULE It is your responsibility to find a substitute if needed. March 27, 2016 Easter Sunday MONDAY, March 21 Thursday, March 24 @ 7:00 p.m., Holy Thursday Lector: Othello Repuyan, Tom C. Pitcock Server: David Eppley, Christina Rozsa, Victoria Hall Eucharistic Minister – Coord: Chris Drake Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Michael Drake, Mary Lou Staker Eucharistic Minister: Sue Hillis, Jim Hillis, Marvin Paul Friday, March 25 @ 2:00 p.m., Good Friday Lector: Patty Barnes, Diane Hoffer Server: Nicholas Hoffer, Nathan Hart, Justin Hart Eucharistic Minister – Coord: Dottie Durant Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Tom Durant, Erin Roush Saturday, March 26, Nightfall, Holy Saturday Lector: Nancy Susa, Sharon Coen, Mary Lou Staker Server: TBA Eucharistic Minister – Coord: Don Susa Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Janis Maziar, Judi Peterson Sunday, March 27 @7:30 a.m. Lector: Stephanie Bridwell, Tom C. Pitcock Server: Mason Harmon, Rex Hankinson Eucharistic Minister- Coord: Carol Kohler Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Margaret Kronenbitter, Philip Kocoloski Eucharistic Minister: Marvin Paul Sunday, March 27 @ 9:30 a.m. Lector: Jim Gable, Diane Hoffer Server: Gabe Skrobot, Nicholas Hoffer Eucharistic Minister - Coord: Betsy Skrobot Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Dan Sylvester, Jim McKee Eucharistic Minister: David Skrobot, Cheryl Sylvester, Linda Haswell, John Haswell Sunday, March 27@ 11:30 a.m. Lector: Wendy Hart, Patty Logan Server: Nathan Hart, Justin Hart Eucharistic Minister - Coord: Paula Peterson Eucharistic Minister - Wash Vessel: Kevin McCarthy, Sandy Black Eucharistic Minister: Scott Peterson, Marianne Hall, Mary Mirgon, Karen Hardman INCOME TAX If you would like to have a record of your donations to the Church for tax purposes, please fill in your envelope number, name and address or email and place it in the collection basket. A statement will be sent to you. Envelope No._____________________________ Name___________________________________ Address_________________________________or Email address____________________________

8:00 a.m., Mass: Clarence Bronkar, Church 10:00-11:00 a.m. and 4:00-5:00 p.m. Confessions, Church 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Sign Language Class, Parish Office 7:00p.m. Lenten Program, Church

TUESDAY, March 22 8:00 a.m., Mass: Paulette Bronkar, Church 1:00-2:00 p.m. Confessions, Church WEDNESDAY, March 23 8:10 a.m., School Mass: Rita Petho, Church 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 5:00-6:00 p.m. Confessions, Church 7:00 p.m., R.C.I.A., Church THURSDAY, March 24, Holy Thursday 7:00p.m., Mass: Violet June Shawger, birthday, Church

FRIDAY, March 25, Good Friday Parish Office Closed 2:00 p.m., Celebration of the Lord’s Passion

EASTER SUNDAY SATURDAY, March 26, Holy Saturday Mass: James V. & Mary Hoffer, Church Begins at Nightfall SUNDAY, March 27 7:30 a.m., Mass: Hope Buchanan & Dorsel Babcock, Church 9:30 a.m., Mass: James V. & Mary Hoffer family, Church 11:30 a.m., Mass: St. Nicholas Parishioners, Church

Readings for Week of March 21, 2016 Mon. . . . . . . . Tues. . . . . . . . Wed . . . . . . . . Thurs. . . . . . . .

Is 42:1-7 Is 49:1-6

Jn 12:1-11 Jn 13:21-33, 36-38 Mt 26:14-25 Jn 13:1-15

Is 50:4-9a Ex 12:1-8, 1114 Fri. . . . . . . . . . Is 52:13-53:12 Jn 18:1-19:42 Sat. . . . . . . . . . Gn 1:1-2:1:1, Lk 24:1-12 26-31a Sun . . . . . . . . Acts 10:34a, Lk 24:13-35 37-43 Please join us each Monday at St. Nicholas Church at 2:00 P.M. as we gather to pray the Rosary asking Our Lady’s Intercession for the many needs of our nation, community, and parish.