Church of St. Philip the Apostle est. 1898 Diocese of Charlotte

P.O. Box 882 525 Camden Drive

Statesville, North Carolina 28677

Office/Fax Phone (704) 872-2579 Rectory Phone (704) 380-3476

E-mail: stphilipapostle@bellsouth.net

Website: http://stphilipapostle.com

Rev. Fr. Thomas J. Kessler, Pastor

Rev. Mr. Charles Brantley, Deacon Mrs. Regina McCollum, Secretary

Mr. & Mrs. Jim Kermes, Food Closet

Mrs. Mary Brown, Faith Formation Director Mrs. Norma Echevarria, Faith Formation

Mrs. Raquel Swierczewski, R.C.I.A Mr. Ken Parker, Y outh Director

Marriage - Baptism Call the church office. Marriages, call at least 6 months in advance. Reconciliation

Pastoral Council Meetings are 2nd Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. September thru June except National Holidays.

Religious Education Children, grades 1-Confirmation, are required to attend religious education classes. Call the office to register your children. Adult classes also available. Parish Registration We welcome new parishioners to the parish and we ask them to register as soon as possible. Parish registration is important and necessary. Also, if you move away from the Parish please notify the office. Thank you.

Fifth Sunday of Lent

from the pastor…

Fifth Sunday of Lent – Today’s second reading says “So we are ambassadors for Christ…”. Part Three, Article 4, Chapter Two of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition, Libre-ria Editrice Vaticana, 1997 deals with many topics under the guidance of the Fourth Commandment. Under The duties of citi-zens, #2240 says - 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. You would do well to read this whole section, but at the very least read “IN BRIEF” numbers 2247 through 2257 on page 543. #2254 says Public authority is obliged to respect the fundamental rights of the human person and the conditions for the exercise of his freedom. #2255 – It is the duty of citizens to works with civil authority for building up society in a spirit of truth, justice, soli-darity and freedom. #2256 – Citizens are obliged in conscience not to follow the directives of civil authorities when they are con-trary to the demands of the moral order. “We must obey God ra-ther than men”. (Acts 5:29) Tuesday, March 15th is Primary Election Day – to the best of your ability, follow the aforementioned directives from the Church founded by our Lord himself; be an ambassador for Christ and exercise your right to vote. Next Sunday is the Palm Sunday and marks the beginning of Holy Week. The readings at Mass will be the Gospel for the blessing of the palms Luke 19:28-40. Isaiah 50:4-7; Philippians 2: 6-11; the Passion of Our Lord Luke 22: 14-23:56. Next Saturday, March 19th will be the last opportunity to go to con-fession prior to Easter. Confessions will be heard from 3:45- 4:45 p.m.. Confessions will not be heard on Saturday of Holy Week, March 26th.

Easter Flowers – for contributions, please use the envelopes in your monthly packets and drop those envelopes in any collection. You can memorialize your contribution by noting names on the reverse side of the envelope. As always, thanks so much for your support. The Parish Council will meet this Monday, March 14th at 7 p.m. The Stations of the Cross - on Fridays of Lent – 6 p.m. in English and 7 p.m. in Spanish. All are invited to a little Lenten food in the Social Hall after the devotions in English and prior to the devotions in Spanish. This Friday, March 18th the Knights of Columbus will be providing their Fish Fry. Diocesan Support Appeal. Our assessment/goal this year is $47,107. To date we have received $31,522 in contributions and pledges. Do it for the Lord. There will be a 2nd collection next weekend to support this appeal. You may make pledges or gifts using the envelopes you received in the mail or those on the tables at the entrance/exit of the church. You can also make pledges online at www.charlottediocese.org/dsa. Please be sure to indicate the name of our parish in the com-ments section of the online form. Thanks so much for your sacr ifi-cial generosity. Thanks to all those who brought canned goods, etc. this weekend, to assist those in need, who come to our parish food closet on a regular basis. Thanks also to the Family Life Committee for organizing this corporal work of mercy. Finally, thanks to those who donate to the Food Closet and those who donate their time early on Saturday mornings to feed the poor. May God bless your generosity. FYI—The reason for the change in wine recently is due to free case samples provided by the company.

Saturday, Mar 12th 5:00 pm Al Upton † by M/M Andrew DeRiso Sunday, Mar 13th 8:00 am RCIA Candidates & Instructors by Catholic Daughters 10:30 am Donald Fitzgerald † & Family by Linda Fitzgerald 12:30 pm Pro Populo

Monday, Mar 14th 9:00 am Juanita Lister † by M/M Herman Lister Wednesday, Mar 16th 6:00 pm Anthony & Rose Matarazzo † by Carol Micalizzi Thursday, Mar 17th 9:00 am Pro Populo Friday, Mar 18th 9:00 am Peter & Madeline McEvilly † by M/M Bill McEvilly Saturday, Mar 19th 5:00 pm For the living & deceased parishioners of our parish by Arrington Family Sunday, Mar 20th 8:00 am Peter Bertuccio † M/M Mark Vaglica 10:30 am John & Josephine Ortiz † by Linda Ortiz 12:30 pm Margoth Gavela † by brothers & sisters READERS Mar 19 5:00 p.m. Ellen Upton (N) Michael Hoffman (S) Mar 20 8:00 a.m. Michele Woldman (N), Mary Brown (S) 10:30 a.m. Ken Byers (N), Jim Eisele (S) EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION Mar 19 5:00 p.m. H. Bauer (H), P. Daly, A, Eisele, B. McGinn, B. Myers Mar 20 8:00 a.m. R Swierczewski (H), J. Archibald, C. DiFulvio 10:30 a.m. B. Stickle (HA), L. Ortiz (HA), C. Bennett (HC), J. Bennett, L. Hardig, T. Douglas, J. Eisele ALTAR SERVER Mar 19 5:00 p.m. Beni, Juarez, Kailey Lund, Patrick Fergu son

Mar 20 8:00 a.m. Evie Staples, Jasmine Dessert. Charles Kelley

10:30 a.m. Savannah Warren, Daniel Gonzalez, Jeremy Smith Happy Birthday 3/13/2016– 3/19/2016 3/13 Daisy Escobar, Patricia Paredes Mata, Ismael Gregorio 3/14 Anthony Hafford, Lisa Onley, Rigoberto Pleites, Richard Stoup 3/15 Raul Garcia, Rose Simiele 3/17 Erin Carcic, Destiny Carranza, Robbie Greenwood, Pat Johnson, Anne Meluch 3/18 Regina Cowne, Amie Gregorio, Aslan LaClair, Juan Carlos Torres 3/19 Charles Dessert, Alondra Flores, Cordula Mayer, Nicole McCoy

Happy Anniversary 3/13/2016—3/19/2016 3/14 Jose & Mayra Rivas 3/15 Julian & Marlene Guadarrama 3/17 Wilson & Teresa Mejia Friday Soup and Substance is at 6:30 p.m. on Fr idays dur ing Lent. Please come and join us after the English Stations of the Cross in the parish hall. The Knights of Columbus will be having a Fish Fry this Friday. The Saturday and Sunday English choirs are looking for new members to join them in praying to God twice by singing with them. We are particularly in need of male voices. If you can carry a tune, please consider joining us. You can see any choir member or call the office.

Mrs. Mary Brown: If you need to contact Mrs. Brown, Faith For-mation Director, please call or text 704-929-0152 or email her at faithformationdir@att.net or if you need to contact Mrs. Norma Echevarria please call the office at 704-872-2579 or email her at echevarria_norma@yahoo.com. The Faith Formation Sunday class will be presenting Stations of the Cross Live at 9:30 am on Palm Sunday, March 20th. Every-one is invited to attend The annual Easter Egg Hunt will be next Sunday, March 20th from 3-5 p.m. There will be games, eggs and a hotdog supper. This is a great opportunity for Confirmation candidates to get volunteer hours. Adult volunteers are also welcomed. We are in need of candy donations for the Easter Egg Hunt. Can-dy needs to be individually wrapped and fit inside a plastic Easter egg. We need lots! We are also in need of desserts. Please bring any dessert donations to the kitchen March 19 or 20th. Thank you. The First Communion Mass for the English classes will be Sun-day, May 1st at the 10:30 am Mass and for Spanish classes at the 12:30 pm Mass. Confirmation will be Friday, May 13th at 6:30 pm in the evening. Bishop Jugis will be celebrating the Confirmation Mass. Students need to be at the church by 4:30 p.m. with their sponsors. Any ques-tions please call Mary Brown. Mark your calendars: Vacation Bible School will be Monday, June 20th-Thursday June 23rd from 6-8 p.m. The theme will be the Year of Mercy celebrated through international saints. Snacks and dinner will be provided. Additionally, there will be crafts, music, games and lessons. VBS will conclude with water games and cake! Volunteers will be needed to plan, teach, provide music crafts, etc. VBS is open to all children 4-12 years of age. Children outside of St. Philip’s are welcomed too!

Collections last week Regular 5:00 p.m….…………………………….……….……..$3,462.00 8:00 a.m…..…………………………………….………2,065.00 10:30 a.m…………………...……………………………2,296.76 12:30 p.m…...…………………………………….………. 978.75 Total……..…………...………………………….……$8,802.51 Parish Improvement Total……..…...…………...…………………………...$1,931.00 Food Closet Total...…..……...……......……….….....………………...$91.00 DSA Total……………….………………………………….$1,880.00 Easter Flowers Total……………………………………………………..$439.00

Collections Year to Date Last year This Year Regular $295,825.85…...….…….........$293,422.33 Parish Improvements 17,707.52………...…...……...33,751.61 Food Closet 15,080.00...….…..……...……13,527.50

Thank you for returning some of God’s gift to you to His Church.

Fifth Sunday of Lent March 13, 2016

PARISH SUPPORT CHURCH YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2016

Sunday, Mar 13th 9:00 am Faith Formation 11:00 am Faith Formation / Spanish Monday, Mar 14th 9:00 am Rosary Tuesday, Mar 15th 9:00 am Catholic Daughters sewing pillow cases Wednesday, Mar 16th 11:15 am Bible Study (Knights of Columbus Room) 6:30 pm Faith Formation 6:45 pm RCIA Thursday, Mar 17th 6:30 pm Youth Group Friday, Mar 18th 6:30 pm Soup and Substance/ Knights of Columbus Fish Fry Saturday, Mar 19th Catholic Daughter Easter Basket Raffle Weekend Sunday, Mar 20th 9:00 am Faith Formation / 11:00 am Faith Formation / Spanish 3:00 pm Easter Egg Hunt/ Hotdog supper

THE WEEK AHEAD

The Catholic Daughters will be making pillow cases for local organizations. Bring your sewing machine and fabric this Tuesday, March 15th from 9-12 pm. In the CDA room. If you have any questions please contact Becky Scales at 704-872-3469. The Catholic Daughters will be having their Annual East-er Basket Raffle next weekend after all the Masses and during the Easter Egg Hunt. There will be 3 baskets to be raf-fled: a family basket, boys basket, and girls basket . Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5. Winners will be chosen after the East-er Egg Hunt. At home.. Lillian Alvey, Paul and Ber tha Summerville, Bill Parker, Betty Brostowski, Anna Eisele Shingleton, Rebec-ca Eisele, Jessica Allison, Jessica Crosso, Andrew Gulley, Jackie Mejia, Angela Moreno, Loretta Savage, Howard Stew-art, Rick Stoup, Robinette Tilley, Alan Eisele, Lisa Jordan Brookdale Peachtree.-Arthur & Marion Weber, Statesville Manor - Brenda Kelley. The Gardens- Anna Pettit. Please pray for the intentions on Our Prayer Tree. To place a name on the Prayer Tree, please sign the Prayer Book in the Lobby or e-mail; Jean Danckert - danckert5851@roadrunner.com. The Family Life Book Group –The March book will be “Three Cups of Tea” by Greg Mortenson. The March meeting will be held on March 23 at 7pm. Please call Norma Gassett at 704-380-4125 with any questions.