201 St. Mary's Avenue

P.O. Box 1390

La Plata, Maryland 20646-1390

(301) 934-2261 (301) 870-3895

www.sacredheartlaplata.org

www.facebook.com/SacredHeartLaPlata

Twitter: @SacHeartLaPlata

WEEKEND MASSES:

Saturdays: Vigil Mass at 5:00 PM (Rosary before Mass)

Sundays: 7:00 AM, 9:00 AM & 11:30 AM

8:00 AM at St. Joseph’s Monastery (Carmel)

DAILY MASSES:

Monday, thru Friday - 12:00 Noon

7:15 AM at St. Joseph’s Monastery (Carmel)

Saturday - 8:00 AM (Carmel), 9:00 AM (Sacred Heart)

HOLY DAYS OF OBLIGATION AND FEDERAL HOLIDAYS:

As Announced.

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT:

7:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily in the Adoration Chapel

7:00-9:00 PM each Wednesday in the Main Church

BAPTISMS:

Last Sunday of the month after 11:30 AM Mass.

Attendance at Baptism Class Required. Contact Deacon

Al Graham at 301-932-0968.

ADULT BAPTISM OR RECEPTION INTO

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH:

Please call the parish office to arrange for the instructions about

our faith. Classes are held on Tuesdays (October thru May).

PENANCE/RECONCILIATION:

- First Fridays: 6:00 - 7:00 PM

- Wednesdays: 7:00—9:00 PM

- Saturdays: 3:30 - 4:30 PM

- By appointment

MARRIAGE:

Couples must contact a priest or deacon at least six months

before the anticipated date. Please do not make any other

arrangements until a date is set with a priest or deacon.

Participation in a preparation program is required.

ITEMS FOR UPCOMING BULLETIN DUE TO PARISH OFFICE BY 9:00 AM TUESDAY!

PASTORAL STAFF & OFFICES

REV. LAWRENCE C. SWINK, Pastor REV. MARTIN E. FLUM, Parochial Vicar DEACON ANTHONY T. BARRASSO, Permanent Deacon

DEACON ALBERT E. GRAHAM, JR., Permanent Deacon

PARISH OFFICE: 205 St. Mary’s Avenue - (301) 934-2261 or (301) 870-3895

(E-mail) shclp@verizon.net Fax (301) 934-5435

Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Mrs. Christine Knecht, Administrative Assistant Mrs. Patricia Lane, Secretary

ARCHBISHOP NEALE SCHOOL: 104 Port Tobacco Road - (301) 934-9595 or (301) 870-3679

Grades Pre-K thru 8. After school day care. Mrs. Linda Bourne, Principal SCHOOL OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: 203 St. Mary’s Avenue - (301) 934-3386

(Office located in lower level of the Church) Deacon Anthony T. Barrasso, Dir. of Religious Education

MINISTRY TO HOMEBOUND, HOSPITAL & NURSING HOMES: 205 St. Mary’s Avenue - (301) 934-2261

Deacon Walter G. Rourke, Director YOUTH MINISTRY: Sacred Heart Convent, 104 Port Tobacco Rd. - (301) 934-5400

Ms. Anna Albrittain YOUTH NIGHT: (Grades 6-12) Second Saturday, Sept. thru May, 4:00-8:00 PM

MUSIC MINISTRY: Music Office - 205 St. Mary’s Avenue - (301) 934-2261

Mrs. Patricia Lane, Director of Music Ministry

CHURCH PLANT MANAGEMENT: 205 St. Mary’s Avenue - (301) 934-2261 or (301) 870-3895

Mr. John Hayden, Director

LANDINGS (Ministry to Inactive Catholics): Mr. Bill Wannall, Director — 240-416-3407

FIRST FRIDAY: Confessions 6:00 - 7:00 PM

Mass & Devotions to the Sacred Heart at 7:00 PM

MARIAN DEVOTIONS: Weekly during May & October. Miraculous Medal Novena & Rosary after 8 AM Mass each Saturday.

SCHOOL OF RELIGION: K thru Grade 8, meets Sundays, 10:15 - 11:15 AM at ANS, September thru May. Confirmation students in grades 7 & 8 contact Religious Education Office for schedule.

PARISH COUNCIL: Meets on the 1st Thursday of the month, September thru May.

PARISH MEMBERSHIP: We welcome all new members to our parish family. Please register as soon as possible. To be eligible for admission to our CCD program, reception of the Sacraments or to receive testimonial letters for sponsorship outside the Parish, an individual must be a registered participating member of the parish, known to the pastor, attending the sacraments and supporting the ministries of the church. When moving from the parish, please notify the office.

SACRED HEART CHURCH, LA PLATA

ST. PATRICK Bishop & Missionary (c. 389-461)

When Patrick was 16 years old, his father’s farm in Britain was

invaded. The raiders carried Patrick off with his father’s serv-

ants to be slaves in Ireland. Patrick spent the next six years

tending sheep. As a slave, he suffered greatly from loneliness.

But in his isolation, he found a deep sense of God’s love for

him. He began to pray. Finally Patrick was able to escape. He

made his way home to Britain. He became a monk and studied

so that he could return to Ireland as a missionary. By the year

433, he had also become a bishop. Patrick went back to Ireland

and traveled throughout the land. He preached to the Irish in

their own language, which he had learned during his years of

slavery. By the time Patrick died 25 years later, most of the

Irish people were baptized. Monasteries in Ireland became cen-

ters of learning. Missionaries sent from Ireland later played a

large part in bringing Christianity back to Europe after European

cities were destroyed by invading tribes. St. Patrick’s Day al-

ways comes during Lent, when the church is getting catechu-

mens ready for baptism at Easter. Patrick used the three-leafed

shamrock to try to explain to catechumens the mystery of the

Holy Trinity. Irish people the world over celebrate March 17 by

wearing green. In Ireland, most Catholics attend Mass. In the

United States, there are parades and many celebrations.

SUNDAY, MARCH 13, THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT 7:00 AM Margo Ann Fisher 8:00 AM Deceased, Charles County Catholic Cemeteries

9:00 AM Stephen G. Gay

11:30 AM Beverly Williams

MONDAY, MARCH 14, LENTEN WEEKDAY 7:15 AM Souls in Purgatory

12:00 PM Martin Reedy

TUESDAY, MARCH 15, LENTEN WEEKDAY 7:15 AM Deceased, Charles County Catholic Cemeteries

12:00 PM Intentions of Patty Gyorda

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, LENTEN WEEKDAY 7:15 AM Margo Ann Fisher 12:00 PM Intentions of Deacon Walter Rourke

THURSDAY, MARCH 17, LENTEN WEEKDAY; ST. PATRICK, BISHOP 7:15 AM Souls in Purgatory

12:00 PM Evelyn Connor FRIDAY, MARCH 18, LENTEN WEEKDAY; ST. CYRIL OF JERUSALEM, BISHOP & DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH 7:15 AM Sister Margaret Mary Cass

12:00 PM Intentions of Don Sullivan

7:00 PM Margo Ann Fisher SATURDAY, MARCH 19, ST. JOSEPH, SPOUSE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY; VIGIL: PALM SUNDAY 8:00 AM Intentions of the Restorers of Mt. Carmel, Both Living & Deceased

9:00 AM Thanksgiving Mass for St. Joseph

5:00 PM Helen Forbes

Please note that the 8AM Saturday and Sunday Masses, and the 7:15 AM daily Mass take place at Mt. Carme1 Monastery. All other Masses are celebrated at Sacred Heart.

RICE BOWL: This Lent, our faith community has once again joined millions of Catholics across the country by participating in Catholic Relief Services’ Operation Rice Bowl. If you haven’t already done so, your family is invited to pick up a Rice Bowl packet in the vestibule of the church and join in this simple yet powerful Lenten practice. CRS’s Operation Rice Bowl invites us to pray with our families and faith communities, fast in solidarity with those who are hungry, learn about our brothers and sisters around the world, and give sacrificial contributions to help those in need. This week’s CRS Rice Bowl country is the island nation of Madagascar, where we’re reminded of the important role farm-ers play in caring for God’s creation. As we prepare our meals throughout the week, let us reflect on where our food comes from and what role we can play in caring for our environment. Visit crsricebowl.org for more.

FAITH DIRECT: During the solemn and holy season of Lent, let us make a conscious effort to recommit ourselves to the three pillars of Lent: Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving. Supporting Sacred Heart Church through Faith Direct is a great way for us as a parish to ob-serve consistent almsgiving. Please enroll today! Visit www.faithdirect.net and use our church code, MD244, to sign up. May God bless you for your generosity!

PARISH FAMILY PICTORIAL DIRECTORIES are here and can be picked up at the parish office during normal business hours (9AM to 5PM, Monday through Friday). If you had your photo taken and it appears in the directory, there is a free directory waiting for your pickup. Limited extra copies are available for purchase at $10.00 each.

Readings for the Week of March 13, 2016

Sunday: Is 43:16-21/Ps 126:1-6/Phil 3:8-14/Jn 8:1-11

Monday: Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or 13:41c-62/Ps 23:1

-6/Jn 8:12-20

Tuesday: Nm 21:4-9/Ps 102:2-3, 16-21/Jn 8:21-30

Wednesday: Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95/Dn 3:52-56/Jn 8:31-42

Thursday: Gn 17:3-9/Ps 105:4-9/Jn 8:51-59

Friday: Jer 20:10-13/Ps 18:2-7/Jn 10:31-42

Saturday: 2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16/Ps 89:2-5, 27, 29/Rom

4:13, 16-18, 22/Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a or Lk 2:41-51a

Next Sunday: Lk 19:28-40/Is 50:4-7/Ps 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24/

Phil 2:6-11/Lk 22:14--23:56 or 23:1-49

THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

Rev. Cary Hill, Sr. Ann Parker, IHM, Deacon Al Feneis, Margaret Foster, Cecil Short, William Brown, Nancy Chase, Rose Radcliff, Leila Hicks, Philip Green, George Lane, Barbara Mohler, Mary Hill, Kandy Magg, Bill Jacobs, William John Blake, Ann Chadwick, Dan Harris, Mary Garner, Jamie Floyd, Virginia Rehovich, Theresa Mlinac, Patty Gyorda, Mark Shutters, Valerie Murphy, Robbie Southerland, Patty Southerland, Doris Chesley, James Thompson, Kandy Nagy, Mitzi Whalen, Marie Martin, Fritz & Jane Hoffmann, Marvin Pitts, Eleanor Hancock, Joe Gardiner, Cindy Brigman, Mitchell Runyan, Maggie Wyman, George Jackson, Dan Bowes, Dave Forbes, Samuel Posey, Ann Yates, Mary Barkofsky, Margie Simpson, Gianna Grace, Jamie Seith, Randy Martin, Judy Clopton, Bobby Jacobs, Maria McGuigan, Miriam Cappers, Cecelia Kozlowski, Mary Ellen Starkey, Norma Han-cock, David & Kathryn Newman, Tim Knecht, Audrey Ellis, Lisa Fra-zer, Mya Gahan, Mary Dunbar, Mary Krug, Marilyn Hoffmann, Car-olyn Posey, and Mikey Raymond.

Names will remain on the above prayer list for 60 days from the time

they are requested. At the end of that time, you may renew your

request.

HOW TO VOTE WITH ONE’S FAITH

Many people are concerned with the state of our country and this up-coming election. I will not and cannot tell you who to vote for, but I can help you form your conscience on how a Christian is to approach the topic of voting.

Principle #1: A Catholic has the moral obligation to partake in the

political process. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “Submission to authority and co-responsibility for the common good make it morally obligatory to pay taxes, to exercise the right to vote, and to defend one’s country.” This means citizens should participate in the political process at the ballot box.

Principle #2. A Catholic must use a “well-formed conscience” when

choosing candidates. “A well-formed Christian conscience does not permit one to vote for a political program or an individual law that con-tradicts the fundamental contents of faith and morals.” In other words, a Catholic must avoid electing officials who are going to promote laws that are evil and who disregard the rights and needs of certain of God’s creatures.

Principle #3. Certain issues are always wrong and cannot be support-

ed by a voter while many issues can be dealt with in a variance of ways

using the virtue of prudence. This means applying the best means of achieving the good in a concrete situation, such as how we deal with economics, immigration, energy problems, poverty, etc. The Bible and our Holy Church teach that certain issues are “intrinsically evil”, which means they are wrong “no matter what the circumstances” and cannot be supported or voted for by God’s people. The five issues that fall in this category are: (1) Abortion: The Church teaches that, regarding a law permitting abortions, it is “never licit to obey it, or to take part in a propaganda campaign in favor of such a law, or to vote for it.” The unborn child is always an innocent party, and no law may permit the taking of his life. (2) Euthanasia: Often disguised by the name “mercy killing,” euthanasia is also a form of homicide. No person has a right to take his own life. (3) Embryonic stem cell research: Human embryos are human beings. “Respect for the dignity of the human being excludes all experimental manipulation or exploitation of the human em-bryo.” (4) Human Cloning: I do not think this is a huge issue today; and (5) Homosexual “Marriage”: Legal recognition of homosexual unions actually does homosexual persons a disfavor by encouraging them to persist in what is an objectively immoral arrangement.

Principle #4: (1) For each office, first determine how each candidate stands on each of the issues that will come before him and involve non-

negotiable principles. (2) Rank the candidates according to how well their positions align with these non-negotiable moral principles. (3) Give preference to candidates who do not propose positions that contra-dict these principles. (4) Where every candidate endorses positions con-trary to non-negotiable principles, choose the candidate likely to do the least harm. If several are equal, evaluate them based on their views on other, lesser issues. (5) Remember that your vote today may affect the offices a candidate later achieves.

Remember, “In God we trust!”

Father Larry

LENTEN REMINDER: The Lenten season is traditionally

a time of penance throughout the Universal Church. It is also a

season in which prayer, the reception of the sacraments, chari-

ty and almsgiving are emphasized. Fast (limit of one full meal

for all between the ages of 18 and 59) and abstinence (all who

have reached their 14th birthday are bound to abstain totally

from meat) are observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Fri-

day. All Fridays in Lent are days of abstinence from meat. As our Easter Duty Obligation, Holy Communion must be

received during the Easter Season, as specified by Archdioce-

san Regulations.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE HAPPY REPOSE OF THE

SOUL of Mary Weimer.

CEMETERY CLEANUP WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 20. This means you must remove any items of sentimental value

from the graves of your loved ones before that date. We cannot

be responsible for items left on graves after that date. We also

ask that you please keep the following guidelines in mind

throughout the year: Families are welcome to place fresh flow-

ers on the graves of their loved ones at any time. Artificial

flowers and wreaths are permitted during the months of No-

vember through March. Flags are permitted three days before

and after Memorial Day, July 4, and Veterans Day. Your ob-

servance of this policy is greatly appreciated and helps us to

maintain the sacred burying ground of our family members and

parishioners.

OUR MONTHLY MEN’S NIGHT OF RECOLLECTION will take place this Monday, March 14, beginning at 7:00 PM

in the church. Our visiting priest, Fr. Brennan Buckler, will

preside. Please plan to join us as we continue our Lenten jour-

ney.

MARCH 13, 2016�

ARCHBISHOP NEALE SCHOOL CASH RAFFLE: Tickets are on sale NOW! Drawing to be held at the Father and Daughter Dance on Saturday, April 16, 2016. First Prize — One-Year Free Tuition (2016-2017) or $2,500.00 Cash or 25% of the Profit; Sec-ond Prize — $1,000.00 Cash or 10% of the Profit; Third Prize — $500.00 Cash or 5% of the Profit. Tickets: $10.00 each or 6 for $50.00. Winner need not be present to win! We will need your help in the sale of raffle tickets. Please try to sell at least six tickets to your family and friends, in order to help us reach our goal of 1,000 tickets sold. Please make all checks payable to Archbishop Neal School, and send to Archbishop Neale School, Attn: Judy Melvin, 104 Port Tobacco Road, La Plata, MD 20646. For more information, call Judy Melvin at 301-934-9595 or email ju-dy.melvin.ansdevelopment@gmail.com. SUPPORT ARCHBISHOP NEALE SCHOOL: ANS provides a quality education with special emphasis on faith foundation and Christian values. Middle States Accredited, the school offers a wide variety of extracurricular and sports activities, daily 4-year-old Pre-K, and full-day Kindergarten, and an After-Care Program with homework supervision. Tuition assistance is available. Please con-

tact the school at 301-934-9595 for additional information or a

campus tour.

COMMUNITY CATHOLIC

YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS

LIVING STATIONS OF THE CROSS: CCYM will be presenting a Living Stations of the Cross this Lent. On Friday, March 18 at Sacred Heart, join the youth in prayer as we present the Stations of the Cross at 6:30 PM. All middle and high school students are invited to participate. No lines to learn, no acting talent required. Practice will be Thursday, March 17, at 7:30 PM in the Friendship Room. Check our website or contact Anna Albrittain for more information.

HOLY THURSDAY PILGRIMAGE: All middle and high school students, as well as their parents, are invited to join CCYM on our annu-al Holy Thursday Pilgrimage. Join us as we travel around Charles County to pray at seven different parishes on Thursday, March 24. Check out our website or contact Anna Albrittain for more information.

STEUBENVILLE REGISTRATION IS OPEN: Registration is now open for CCYM’s annual trip to the Steubenville Youth Conference. We will be attending Main Campus 1 on the weekend of June 17-19. All students currently in grades 8-12 are invited to join us. Check out the website to see videos, testimonies, and more: www.steubenvilleconferences.com/youth. Contact Anna Albrittain for more information on how to secure your spot!

LOOKING FOR A SUMMER JOB? We know it’s still winter , but consider giving your summer to Christ! St. Joseph Summer Camp is looking for new staff members and volunteers. All college students and students going into grades 11 and 12 can apply for a paid staff position, and all high school students are welcome to volunteer! Grow in your faith and love for Christ this summer as you lead the campers and spend time in prayer and fellowship with the rest of the staff. Check out www.stjoesummercamp.com for more info and to apply. CORNERSTONE CLUB AND UPPER ROOM RENOVATIONS:

All high school students are invited to join us on Fridays from 7:00 to 11:00 PM for Cornerstone Club, located at the “Upper Room” (106 Port Tobacco Road, La Plata). In addition, we are planning some much-

needed renovations and updates at the Upper Room. Donations of need-ed items or financial gifts will be gladly accepted. New carpeting or tile is also desperately needed in several of the rooms. If you are able to help us out or have questions about how you can help, please call Anna Albrittain (240) 412-4532. Follow us on Instagram @ ccymcharlescounty. Don’t forget to register for Community Catholic Youth Ministry on Sacred Heart’s Flocknotes. To respond for any event or if you have questions, or want to be added to the CCYM email list, send an email to ccym.coordinator@gmail.com or call/text Ms. Albrittain at 240-412-4532.

FRIDAYS DURING LENT: Stations of the Cross at 11:30 AM and again at 6:30 PM, followed by Mass and a Holy Hour at 7:00 PM, will be offered each Friday during Lent. Please make a commitment and plan to join us as a part of your Lenten experience this year.

PLEASE KEEP OUR CONFIRMATION STUDENTS IN YOUR

PRAYERS. Consider praying for one of our students prepar ing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Pictures of the students can be found at the entrance of the church. Please take a name off the board and remember them in your prayers and sacrifices for Lent.

OUR MOTHER’S GROUP WILL MEET THIS FRIDAY,

MARCH 18, at 1:00 PM to star t r eading and discussing Pope Francis’s encyclical Evangelii Gaudium/The Joy of the Gospel, in ad-dition to our usual prayer and conversation. No preparation is neces-sary, and new faces are always welcome. Mothers and caretakers of babies, preschoolers and school-age children may come by themselves or with children of any age. We will also dye Easter Eggs at a mem-ber's home on Wednesday, March 24. To learn more or to get on our email list, contact Daina Currano at dainacurrano@gmail.com or 301-

910-6203.

PASSOVER SEDER MEAL CELEBRATION: All are invited to participate in this year’s Passover Seder Meal Celebration on Palm Sunday evening, March 20, at 5:00 PM in the Friendship Room. Fr. Larry Swink will be our presider at this celebratory meal which is the Christian version of the ancient rite which prefig-ures our Holy Thursday celebration. The cost is $10 per person, and seating is limited to 50, so reservations are essential. Reserva-tion forms were provided in last week’s bulletin, or you can call or stop by the parish office to make your reservation if you plan to attend.

1-800-MASS TIMES: Don’t forget to call 1-800-MASS-TIMES or visit www.masstimes.org for Mass schedules and locations around the country if you are away during the Easter holidays.

WOMEN’S RETREATS AT LOYOLA RETREAT HOUSE:

This year we are blessed to be able to offer a choice of two spring retreats for women at Loyola Retreat House in Faulkner. On April 1-3, “The Joyful Call of Mercy”, a Catholic retreat for Women with Retreat Master Fr. Larry Swink, along with Msgr. Charles Pope, Fr. Tom Morrow and Fr. Scott Holmer. Registration flyer and form are now available at www.sacredheartLaPlata.org. Also available is the Annual Charles County Women’s Retreat on April 8-10. The cost for this retreat is $235, with a deposit fee of $135 due with registration (deposits are non-refundable but are transferable). Please make checks payable to “Loyola Retreat House,” and mail to P O Box 9, Faulkner, MD 20632-0009. For more information, call 301-392-0800 and/or visit www.loyolaonthepotomac.com.