RECTORY OFFICE HOURS: Monday-Friday: 9:00 A.M. to 12:00PM and 1:00PM—5:00 P.M. Saturday-Sunday: Closed Tel. # 718-647-2632 Fax # 718-647-1321 Email: stfortunatachurch@gmail.com SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Baptisms are celebrated in English First Sunday of each month at 12:15 p.m. Arrangements should be made one month prior to Baptism. Children 7 years or older should register for Religion classes. SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE Arrangements should be made with a Priest at least six months prior to wedding date. For Marriage Preparation Program /Information Log on to www.pre-cana.org SACRAMENT OF PENANCE (Confessions) Every Saturday at: 8:30 a. m. and 4:30 p.m. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (CCD) Please contact: Director: Sister Norieta Tusi, C.S.JB. Tel. 718-647-2632 EXT. 14

HORARIO DE LA OFICINA: Lunes a Viernes: 9:00 A.M. to 12:00PM and 1:00PM—5:00 P.M. Sábado-Domingo: Cerrada Tel. # 718. 647-2632 Ext. 0 Fax # 718-647-1321 Correo Electrónico: stfortunatachurch@gmail.com SACRAMENTO DEL BAUTISMO Los Bautizos en Español son celebrados el Tercer Domingo de cada mes a las 11:00 a.m. También, Sábados Bilingüe a las 5:30 p.m. Las Inscripciones deben hacerse con un mes de anticipación en la oficina. -Niños de 7 años en adelante deben registrarse en la cateque-sis para poder ser bautizados. SACRAMENTO DEL MATRIMONIO Los arreglos deben hacerse directamente con el sacerdote por lo me-nos seis meses antes de la fecha del matrimonio. Para Cursillo Pre-Matrimonial www.pre-cana.org SACRAMENTO DE PENITENCIA (Confesiones) Todos los Sábados a las: 8:30 a.m. y a las 4:30 p.m. EDUCACION RELIGIOSA (CCD) Por favor contactar a: Directora: Sor Norieta Tusi, C.S. JB. Tel. 718-647-2632 EXT. 14

PARISH STAFF/PERSONAL DE LA PARROQUIA Pastor/Párroco: Rev. Jose F. Herrera D.R.E.: Sr. Norieta Tusi, C.S. JB. Pastoral Associate: Sr. Loretta Florio, C.S. JB. Youth Minister: Deacon Rafael Cabrera Retired Deacons: Mr. Osborne Miranda & Dr. Okafor Uzoigwe Administrative Assistant: Mrs. Maria Jorge Bookkeeper: Ms. Phyllis Keenan Maintenance: Mr. Carlos Gonzalez Music Director: Mr. Edward McKenna

NEW MASS SCHEDULE: AS OF 7-1-18/ NUEVO HORARIO DE MISAS: 7-1-18 Sundays/ Domingos:11:00 a.m. (Español) 9:15 a.m. & 12:15 p.m. (English) Martes: 1:30 p.m. (English-Igbo) 7:30 p.m. (Español)-Sótano • Youth Mass 3rd Sunday of each Month 12:15 p.m. • Monday to Friday /Lunes a Viernes: 8:00 a.m. (English) • First Friday Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: 8:00 a.m. (English) and 7:30 p.m. (bilingual) • Saturday/ Sábado: 8:00 a.m. (English) 5:30 p.m Misa Bilingüe 5:30 p.m. (Bilingual) • Catholic Holy Days/ Días de Fiestas Católicas: 8:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. (bilingual) 7:30 p.m Misa Bilingüe

2609 Linden Blvd. Brooklyn, NY 11208. Tel. 718-647-2632 Fax. 718-647-1321

TODAY’S READINGS AND REFLECTION First Reading — When the people grumbled to Moses for water in the desert, the Lord heard and brought forth water from the rock for all to drink (Exodus 17:3-7). Psalm — If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts (Psalm 95). Second Reading — God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:1-2, 5-8). Gospel — Ask, and you will be given living water so that you will never thirst again (John 4:5-42 [5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42]). The English translation of the Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

THIRST Each time today’s Gospel story is read, I can’t help but think of the many television commercials I’ve seen depicting perspiring athletes lifting a beverage to their lips while the scorching sun beats down on them. Our culture has definite ideas about how to quench thirst. Today, those ideas are turned upside down. The Samaritan woman operates, initially, on the TV commercial level. She asks Jesus for the flowing water so that she will not have to keep coming to the well. Jesus then talks about what real thirst is, and how he, and he alone, can quench that thirst. Lent calls us to find those places deep within ourselves where we thirst. In our thirst, as did the Israelites, we cry out to God asking for springs of living water. Deep down we know that only the Lord can satisfy these thirsts.

Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. REFLEXION Y LECTURAS DE HOY Primera lectura — Agua salió de la roca para apagar la sed del pueblo (Éxodo 17:3-7). Salmo — Si hoy oyen su voz, no endurezcan su corazón (Salmo 95 [94]). Segunda lectura — El amor de Dios se ha derramado en nuestro corazón por el don del Espíritu Santo (Romanos 5:1-2, 5-8). Evangelio — El agua que yo les daré se convierte en el manantial de vida eterna (Juan 4:5-42 [5-15, 19b- 26, 39, 40-42]). Salmo responsorial: Leccionario Hispanoamericano Dominical © 1970, Comisión Episcopal Española. Usado con permiso. Todos los derechos reservados. SED Cada vez que se lee el relato del Evangelio de hoy, no puedo dejar de pensar en los muchos comerciales televisivos que muestran atletas sudorosos llevando una bebida a los labios mientras que el sol calcinante los golpea. Nuestra cultura tiene ideas definidas sobre cómo apagar la sed. Hoy, esas ideas son puestas cabeza abajo. Al inicio, la samaritana opera al nivel del comercial de televisión. Le pide agua viva a Jesús para no tener que seguir viniendo al pozo. Es entonces que Jesús le habla sobre la verdadera sed y cómo él, solo él, puede calmar esa sed. La Cuaresma nos llama a encontrar esos lugares muy dentro de nosotros donde estamos sedientos. En nuestra sed, al igual que los israelitas, clamamos a Dios pidiéndole fuentes de agua viva. Allá en el fondo sabemos que solo el Señor puede satisfacer esa sed.

Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

Mass Intention / Intenciones de Misa Saturday, March 14th / Sábado, 14 de Marzo 8:00 a.m.: Purgatorial Society 5:30 p.m.: For the Health of All our Parishioners/ Por la Salud de Todos Nuestros Parroquianos Sunday, March 15th —III Sunday of Lent Domingo 15 de Marzo —III Domingo de Cuaresma Second Collection: Religious Education 9:15 a.m.: Annastacia Iheoma Okehi (2nd Anniversary

Remembrance), Mr. & Mrs. Chika Igwilo 11:00 a.m.: 1) Miguel Reyes (2 Meses de Fallecido) & Antonio

Rojas (3 Meses), Su Viuda, Hijos & Familia 2) Mercedes Marquez (D), Su Cuñada Nereida 3) Luz Maria Colon (D), Su Hermana Nereida 4) Jacobo Cabrera y Las Benditas Animas del

Purgatorio, Elvira Perez 5) En Acción de Gracias por el Cumpleaños de

Elvira Perez 6) Amarlin Batista (1er Año de Fallecida), Su Prima 7) Julian Disla (24 Años de Fallecido), La Familia Disla 12:15 p.m.: For The Special Intention of Maria & George 1:30 p.m.: For the Health of All Our Parishioners Monday, March 16th / Lunes, 16 de Marzo 8:00 a.m.: Sr. Eucharia Iannucci (D), Sisters of St. Fortunata Tuesday, March 17th / Martes, 17 de Marzo 8:00 a.m.: 1) Andres Cruz (D), His Mother Juana Cruz 2) Birthday Blessings for Muriel Charles 7:30 p.m.: Spanish Mass in the Church Basement Wednesday, March 18th / 18 Miércoles, de Marzo 8:00 a.m.: Sr. Maria Claudia Marazita (D), Sisters of St. Fortunata Thursday, March 19th /Jueves, 19 de Marzo 8:00 a.m.: Jamil Ali (Birthday Remembrance), Natalie A li Friday, March 20th / Viernes 20 de Marzo 8:00 a.m.: 1) Sr. Raphael Marie Spano, Sister of St. Fortunata 2) Birthday Blessings for Muriel

Charles 7:00 p.m.: Stations of the Cross & Mass/Via

Crucis & Misa Saturday, March 21st / Sábado, 21 de Marzo 8:00 a.m.: Purgatorial Society 5:30 p.m.: Por La Salud de Todos Los Miembros y el Exito de

los Cursillistas de Santa Fortunata Sunday, March 22nd —IV Sunday of Lent Domingo 22 de Marzo —IV Domingo de Cuaresma Second Collection: Religious Education 9:15 a.m.: 1) In Thanksgiving for Fanny Obi’s Birthday,

Winnie Obi & Family 2) Muriel Charles (Birthday Blessings), Sr. Amelia 11:00 a.m.: 1) Carlos Valentin (7 Meses de Fallecido), Su Madre Georgina Gaston 2) Juan De Dios De Jesus (D), Georgina De Jesus 12:15 p.m.: Mark Edwards (Birthday Remembrance), Helena Edwards & Family 1:30 p.m.: ___________________________________

III SUNDAY OF LENT/ III DOMINGO DE CUARESMA

The African Community Of St. Fortunata Prayer Meeting: Last Friday of every month at 6:30pm in the Church & African English Mass at 7:30 pm in the Church. General Meeting: Last Sunday of every month After 9:15a.m. Mass In the Church basement. Contact Information and Application. Presi-dent: Tunde Dare: (646)492-4547. Public Relation Officer: Matthew Ozougwu (917)640-6055 Bible Study Class: Coordinator: Sr. Loretta Meeting every Tuesday in the Rectory Basement 8:30 a.m-10:00 a.m. Catechism for Igbo Community Children: Every Sunday at 11:45 a.m. in the Church Basement. CWO: First Sunday of every Month at 2:30 p.m. in the Church Basement. Charismatic Prayer Group: Coordinator: Solomon Mbagwu. Meetings every Saturday in the church Basement at 6:30 pm. Choir: Practice on Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. “English” Igbo Community of St. Fortunata: Coordinator: Chibuzo Nweke. 917-642-5828 Meeting second Sunday of every month, in the Church Basement at 3:00 P.M. Knight s of Columbus: Coordinator: Evans Anuforoh

Meetings First and Third Friday of the month at 8:00 p.m. in the Church Basement. Liturgy Group: Coordinator: Dr. Lopez Meetings by convocation every three months. To join please call the rectory. Youth Group of St. Fortunata: Coordinator: George Deschamps Youth Minister: Deacon Rafael Cabrera Meetings every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. in the Rectory Basement.

Calendario de Reuniones de Grupos y Eventos Coro Hispano: Director: Eddie Mckeenan Cursillo de Cristiandad: Coordinador: Ana Rodríguez Reunión todos los domingos en el sótano de la Iglesia a las 11:30 a.m. Equipo de Liturgia: Coordinadora: Carmen Pérez reuniones cada tres meses. Por convocatoria. Para unirse llame a la Rectoría. Grupo Juvenil: Coordinador: George Deschamps Reuniones todos los domingos en el sótano de la rectoría Renovación Carismática: Coordinadora: Carmen Pérez Reunión todos los martes a las 7:00 p.m. y Misa a las 7:30 p.m. Legión de María: Coordinadora, Matilde. Reunión todos los Miércoles a las 7:00 p.m.

CALENDAR OF SOCIETIES / GROUPS / MINISTRY

Weekly Offering Report for the Week We are a Tithing Community following God’s Plan for Giving. The key to understanding how God wants us to give to the Church is found in 1 Corinthians 16:2, “On the first day of the week each of you should set aside whatever you can afford,” In re-

turn for the Lord’s generosity. In the last week our people returned to his Church the Following:

Weekly Offering Report for March 8th, 2020 1st Collection 2nd Collection

Saturday 5:30 p.m. $161.- $85.- Sunday-Domingo 9:15a.m. $2,255.- $403.- 11:00 a.m. $756.- $263.- 12:15 p.m. $254.- $131.- 1:30 p.m. $354.- $184.- Children: $164.-

“Our weekly offering is one way of saying: we belong to the Lord… and one another. What Does YOUR weekly offering Say? Pray for His guidance THEN renew your commitment to Tithing”.

Fast & Abstinence Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence. For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards. A Reflection on Lenten Fasting If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the "paschal fast" to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and to celebrate more readily his Resurrection.

Ayuno y Abstinencia Cuaresmal El Miércoles de Ceniza y el Viernes Santo son días obligatorios de ayuno y abstinencia para los católicos. Además, los viernes durante la Cuaresma son días obligatorios de abstinencia. Para los miembros de la Iglesia de rito latino, las normas son obligatorias desde la edad de 18 años hasta los 59. Cuando se ayuna, se le permite a la persona comer una comida completa, así como dos comidas más pequeñas que juntas no equivalgan a una comida completa. Las normas sobre la abstinencia de carne son vinculantes para los miembros de la iglesia católica de rito latino desde los 14 años en adelante. Si es posible, el ayuno del Viernes Santo se continúa hasta la Vigilia Pascual (la noche del Sábado Santo) como el "ayuno pascual" para honrar el sufrimiento y la muerte del Señor Jesús y prepararnos para compartir más plenamente y celebrar más apropiadamente su Resurrección.

Queridos Hermanos y Hermanas en Cristo: “Ya que hemos sido justificados por la fe,

mantengámonos en paz con Dios, por mediación de nuestro Señor Jesucristo. Por El hemos obtenido con la fe, la entrada al mundo de la gracia, en el cual nos encontramos; por El podemos gloriarnos de tener la esperanza de participar en la gloria de Dios.” Nuestro itinerario cuaresmal va transcurriendo entre el miedo y la esperanza, miedo porque la obra creadora de Dios constantemente se ve amenazada por el mismo hombre, no hemos sido precisamente buenos administradores de cuidar el edén que el Señor nos puso a cargo y como que se siente hasta en el aire esa inseguridad general, ahora amenazada por esta enfermedad letal. Es tiempo de ponerse a los pies del Señor y reconocer que esa armonía con nuestro Creador, con la naturaleza y con nosotros mismos está lesionada, fracturada con graves efectos, no sólo debemos prevenir, debemos recuperar nuestra

intimidad con Dios y volver a El para que el mundo sea más lleno de su presencia que la del maligno que nos aflige con tantas desgracias, que sea más bien su gracia la que nos inunde y vivamos con mayor esperanza, porque El es la luz que ilumina todo. ¡Ven Señor Jesús! Todavía hay tiempo de participar los viernes que quedan en la misa y viacrucis tanto por la mañana como por la noche, es la oportunidad

de sintonizar con Jesús y dejar que nos encamine por nuevos senderos comunitarios y sociales.

Ya inició el proceso del proyecto del baño en la

sacristía, hay dificultades para llevar la infraestructura necesaria para el efecto, les mantendremos informados. Quienes hicimos promesa con Generaciones de Fe por favor sigamos aportando de ello dependerá cumplir este tercer plan, contamos con ustedes.

Abundantes bendiciones para todos,

José Francisco Herrera, Su servidor

From the Desk of the Pastor... Del Escritorio Del Párroco... Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: “Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith, to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in of the glory of God.” Our Lenten journey is taking place amidst fear and hope; fear because God’s creative work is constantly being threatened by mankind itself. We have not been good stewards in caring for the “Eden” that the Lord has put in our charge. And so now we are even experiencing a sense of anxiety in our environment, threatened by this deadly virus. It is time to place ourselves at the feet of the Lord and acknowledge that the harmony with our Creator, with nature and with ourselves is impaired and fractured with grave consequences. We must return to God and restore our intimate relationship with Him, so that our world will be filled with His presence rather than that of the evil one who afflicts us with such misfortunes. Therefore, His grace will engulf us so that we will live with greater hope since He is the light that illumines everything. Come Lord Jesus! There is still time to participate at Mass and the Way of the Cross on Fridays in the morning or evening. It is an opportunity to tune in with Jesus and allow him to lead us along new paths in our community and our social life. We have already begun the process for the bathroom project in the sacristy. However, there are difficulties regarding the infrastructure needed for this purpose. We will keep you informed of our progress. Those of you who made a pledge to the ‘Generations of Faith’, please continue your contributions. The completion of this third project depends on it. We are counting on you.

Abundant blessings to all, Fr. Jose Francisco Herrera, Your servant

You are Invited to our Lenten Retreat:

“A call to Discipleship in The Family” SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2020 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Concluding with the 5:30 p.m. Mass in the Church We hope you can join us!

Leader and Guest Speaker: Rev. Father Jerome Iyeh

Le invitamos a Nuestro Retiro de Cuaresma: Llamados a Ser Mis Discípulos en La Familia

SABADO 28 DE MARZO, 2020 De 1:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. Culminando con la Misa de 5:30

Predicador: Diácono Rafael Cabrera –Acompañado por un Ministerio de Música

Lugar: Sótano de la Iglesia ¡Esperamos que pueda acompañarnos!

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK OF SOUL, BODY OR SPIRIT /POR FAVOR ORE POR LOS ENFERMOS We kindly request your prayers for the following persons. May God grant them healing and strength/

Oremos por nuestros Enfermos para que el Señor les dé la Salud de Alma y Cuerpo.

Ana Fajardo, Vivian Johnson, Rose McNally, Cecilia Vencebi (Cookie), Alima Atanda, Tugman Nichols, Maria Huerta, Christina Graham, Emma Hall, Gabriel

Soto, Victor McDaniel, Elaine Pastore, Dorothy Randall Fortune, Gregory Cortez, Ana Berrios, Ezequiel Cintron, Michael St. Hill, Vicky Gomez, Verna Smith, James Leung, Jose Vazquez, Carmen Vanderpool, Catherine Henry,

Dionisio Rodriguez, Nancy Leon, Jesus De Leon, Jacki Reeves, Deacon Okafor Uzoigue, Germain Charles, Veronica Henry, Alvira Waldron, Sylvia Brown, Andre Clarke, Fanny Obi,

Darwin Williams, Mary Basile, Jocelyne Mills.

SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: Third Sunday of Lent Tuesday: St. Patrick Wednesday: St. Cyril of Jerusalem Thursday: St. Joseph; Spring begins Friday: Abstinence SAINT JOSEPH, HUSBAND OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY March 19 Joseph, someone once joked, was indeed the perfect husband: the only major character in Je-sus’ story who never utters a word! But the Gos-pel recounts and the liturgy celebrates his silent witness of faith-filled deeds: “With a husband’s love he cherished Mary, the Virgin Mother of God; with fatherly care he watched over Jesus” (Preface of Saint Joseph, Sacramentary). Catholic devotion, therefore, hails him as patron-protector of the universal Church. Some cultures set a festive “Saint Joseph’s Table,” welcoming the poor and strangers to feast with family and friends. Tradition keeps today as the anniversary of his death, which we presume was peaceful, with Jesus and Mary pre-sent. Thus, Catholics invoke Joseph as Patron of a Happy Death. De-scended from David’s house, which God finished “building” through Joseph’s provision of a home for Mary and Jesus, he was, fittingly, a carpenter by trade; thus, patron of workers. Spring, nature’s rebirth, begins between his feast and Annunciation (March 25), appropriately, since Joseph’s silent obedience and Mary’s “Let it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38) usher in humanity’s spiritual rebirth. —Peter Scagnelli, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday:2 Kgs 5:1-15b; Ps 42:2, 3; 43:3, 4; Lk 4:24-30 Tuesday: Dn 3:25, 34-43; Ps 25:4-51b, 6, 7bc, 8-9; Mt 18:21-35 Wednesday: Dt 4:1, 5-9; Ps 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20; Mt 5:17-19 Thursday: 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 Friday: Hos 14:2-10; Ps 81:6c-11ab, 14, 17; Mk 12:28-34 Saturday: Hos 6:1-6; Ps 51:3-4, 18- 21ab; Lk 18:9-14 Sunday: 1 Sm 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a; Ps 23:1-6; Eph 5:8-14; Jn 9:1-41

The African Community of St Fortunata Church invites you to a Spiritual Pilgrimage to the

NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE DIVINE MERCY, Stockbridge, Massachusetts

DATE:SUNDAY APRIL 19, 2020 7.30am (Front of the Church)

Each Monday during Lent, the Priests of our neighboring parishes, Deanery 6-B, will be offering confessions. They will be coming to St. Fortunata on Monday, March 23rd from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This is an opportunity to let us reconcile ourselves with God and our neighbor by receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation.

Cada lunes durante la Cuaresma, Los Sacerdotes de las Parroquias vecinas, Decanato 6-B, ofrecerán confesiones de 7:00 p.m. a 9:00 p.m. Ellos vendrán a nuestra parroquia el Lunes 23 de Marzo. Esto es una opor tunidad de ponerse en paz con Dios, su prójimo y usted mismo (a).

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