Welcome to St. George Church

A Parish with Spirit and Heart!

74 Old Glenwood Rd. West Falls, NY 14170-9704

Web: www.stgeorgercchurch.org Email: stgeorge.wf@gmail.com

Office: (716) 652-3153 Fax: (716) 687-1336 Faith Formation Office: (716) 652-0126

Fr. Pascal (Pat) Ipolito, Pastor

Kathy Kita, Pastoral Associate, Director of Faith Formation

Week of March 13, 2016

The Fifth Sunday of Lent

From the Pastor’s Desk

Have you ever been “caught in the act”? There is no way to get out of it, though we often try. The woman was caught in the act. So was the man. Where was he? He deserved the same punishment. But I digress. Jesus catches the leaders in the act of misunderstanding the Law in a way that imprisons them.

Jesus offers a new way. Taking his time he writes on the ground. We don’t know what he wrote. Whatever it was, they are moved to change their intentions after Jesus invites anyone without sin to cast the first stone. They walk away and no longer condemn her. Neither does Jesus. He forgives her and tells her to sin no more. Note: nothing indicates that her forgiveness depends on her obeying that command.

Jesus did something new. He put her situation in a context we all share: we all sin and need God’s freely offered mercy. If we turn to Jesus, admit our need for forgiveness, and take on the suffering that changing our hearts and our ways can entail, we can experience the promised resurrection that Paul proclaims in today’s second reading.

We have a choice. We can be honest when caught in the act and suffer the consequences of sin or judgment, thus opening the way to forgiveness and acceptance; or we can try to wiggle our way out and miss God’s freely offered mercy. Admitting our sin and need for God turns weeping into rejoicing at the great things God does for us. Drink of God’s mercy and turn to the One who helps us run the race and reach the prize of God’s merciful love.

Our God, our mercy, all of us are sinners and need your merciful love. Make us turn to you today to hear you say to us, “Neither do I condemn you.” Let us not cast stones.

What is your natural response to being “caught in the act”?

Who has helped you change your heart, return to God, and live in God’s merciful love?

Shalom! Fr. Pat

Excerpted with permission from Living the Word (www.wlp.jspaluch.com)

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK

Saturday, March 12 5 pm Francis Rotterman, by the Family Sunday, March 13 8:30 am In Thanksgiving for and in Honor of all Mothers Sunday, March 13 11 am Dennis Grabianowski, by the Family Monday, March 14 8 am Souls to be remembered from All Souls’ Day Tuesday, March 15 8 am Souls to be remembered from All Souls’ Day Wednesday, March 16 8 am Communion Service and Novena Thursday, March 17 8 am Communion Service Friday, March 18 8 am Souls to be remembered from All Souls’ Day Saturday, March 19 5 pm In Thanksgiving for and in Honor of all Fathers Sunday, March 20 8:30 am Bernie Germono, by Mary Ann Pietrzak Sunday, March 20 11 am Souls to be remembered from All Souls’ Day

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SICK & SHUT-INS, especially: Doris Ellis, Peter Brady, Maryanne Mueller, Michael Schafer, John Branicky, Marsha Shuler, Dorothy Knaier, Louise Zelonis, Gina Reger, Richard & Antoinette Pucillo, Joe Arcara, Lou Williams, Jeanette Dipiano, Judy Zielinski, Sr. Mary Dee, Jill

Janik, David Dobson, Colette Longboat, Kathy Grover-Castro, Jim Moeller, Linda Bettinger, Mario Nunez, Sarah Friedhaber, Jason Estabrook, Crystal Oats, Margo McClelland, David Kroll, Dave Isbrandt, Mike Slawinski, Bill Henning, Don Murray, Faith Smith, Grace Finch, Heather Nichter, Joan Kazmierczak, Pat Whittington, John Nichter, Loretta Ellis, Nora Vogel, Diane Washburn, Kara Stoughton, Charlotte Byrne, Delight Carlson, Tom Donner, Linda Rich, Jim Burgio, Ginny Dejonghe, Diane Marts, Dottie Gottstine, Ann Marie Price and Marian Bull.

PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY TO THE CATHOLIC CHARITIES 2016 APPEAL Our parish donated over $68,000.00 last year. Will you help us surpass that amount this year? The insert in this week’s bulletin lists all of the services available through Catholic Charities, and shows you where your donations go. Volunteers will be available to take your pledges and donations after all Masses, this weekend and March 19 - 20, in the Gathering space. You can also put your pledge or donation envelope in the offering plate, mail it in, or donate online at ccwny.org/donation.

We are so thankful for, and amazed by, your generosity!

TAKE A BREAK TODAY to read the bulletin insert for our parish’s Living the Eucharist experience this week, Finding Forgiveness. Let the Eucharist be God's reconciliation and mercy in your life, enabling you to offer forgiveness and peace to others.

Please support this ministry by praying the Living the Eucharist prayer every day.

The next First Friday Mass is April 1st at 9:00 am in the Chapel.

Confession: Saturday from 4:00 - 4:30 pm

HOLY THURSDAY WASHING OF THE FEET - MARCH 23rd. Give some thought to signing up for the washing of feet at this Mass. This moving ritual of charity and service, in the example of Jesus toward his own disciples, challenges us to humble ourselves and serve one another. The sign-up sheet is on the table in the Gathering Space. Thank you!

SOUP & BREAD DONATIONS ARE NEEDED FOR FRIDAY, MARCH 18TH! Join us for a delicious potluck Soup & Bread Supper on Friday, March 18th at 6 pm in the parish hall, hosted by our YOUTH GIFT Team and families. We welcome your contribution of a pot of soup, a loaf of bread, or rolls to share. A sign-up sheet is on the GIFT table in the back of the church. Following our community meal, plan to stay for our Youth group's

presentation of the Shadow Stations of Mercy at 7 pm in church. Don't miss this special evening of friendship, faith and prayer!

HOLY WEEK

Holy Thursday 8 am

7 pm

No Mass - Morning Prayers in Chapel

Mass of the Lord’s Supper

Good Friday 8 am

3 pm

No Mass - Morning Prayers in Chapel

Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion

7 pm Stations of the Cross in Church

Holy Saturday 9 am Easter Decorating of the Church

All are Welcome!

12 pm Blessing of Food by Father Pat in the Chapel

8 pm Easter Vigil Mass

Easter Sunday 8:30 & 11 am Easter Sunday Mass

EASTER FLOWER OFFERINGS are used each year to create a Memorial Garden and to decorate our church. If you would like to make an offering in memory of a deceased loved one, or to honor someone special with a Living Intention, please complete the form below, enclose it in an envelope with your offering, and return it to the Rectory or place it in the offering basket at Mass. The names will be published in the Easter Sunday bulletin, as

long as we receive your dedication by Palm Sunday, March 20th.

Please PRINT—help us spell your loved ones’ names correctly. Thank you!

In Memory of ______________________________________________________________

In Honor of (Living Intention) __________________________________________________

Donated by ______________________________________ Envelope # ______________

OUR MISSION OF MERCY We ask our St. George family to be generous as possible, so we can fulfill our mission of mercy as we journey in faith together. Last weekend’s offerings totaled $4,181.15. Offerings for Maintenance and Capital Improvements totaled $793.00. Thank you to everyone who supported the annual Black and Indian Mission Collection last weekend. Offerings totaled $429.00. We sincerely appreciate your continuing generosity!

Join next weekend's Palm Sunday procession. We invite everyone to gather in the foyer of the Church before Mass. (Those who have difficulty walking are welcome to take their seats in church.)

Father Pat will begin our Palm Sunday liturgy in the back of church, with the blessing and distribution of palms. You will receive your palms as you process into church.

EASTER CHOIR We welcome you to share your musical gifts at Easter Vigil on Saturday, March 26th at 8 pm and/or Easter Sunday Masses (8:30 am; 11 am). For more information, or to sign-up, please contact Lisa Oun, 597-5894, or LisaMJDOun@aol.com.

SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL In today’s Gospel, Jesus is the model of compassion and kindness. He shows us how to be merciful and nonjudgmental. When we give to the poor, God indeed pours his love, peace and mercy into our hearts and into the hearts of those suffering in poverty. Remember the opportunity to teach our children a lifelong lesson of charity. Encourage their donations to the St. Vincent de Paul Poor Box. God Bless all.

HAITI NEWS - THANK YOU to everyone who donated medicines, medical supplies, toothpaste and toothbrushes recently for our twin parish of St. Michael the Archangel in Coq Chante, Haiti. Thanks to your generosity, the medical clinic at our twin parish will be supplied with many important medicines and supplies.

THE ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT for West Falls residents is Saturday, March 26th at the West Falls Conservation Club on Bridge St. at 2 pm. Please arrive by 1:45 pm. Sponsored by the West Falls Volunteer Fire Company Ladies’ Auxiliary. Join us for the fun!!

YEAR OF MERCY: The Spiritual Works of Mercy are works of mercy directed toward the needs of the soul. This week we consider ways that we can Comfort the Sorrowful. Be open to listening and comforting those who are dealing with grief. Even if we aren't sure of the right words to say, our presence can make a big difference. A few suggestions:

Lend a listening ear to those going through a tough time.

Make a home cooked meal for a friend who is facing a difficult time.

Write a letter or send a card to someone who is suffering.

A few moments of your day may make a lifetime of difference to someone who is going through a difficult time.

Think about how might you might perform a Work of Mercy this week! (Excerpted from www.usccb.org.) Learn more at www.yearofmercy.org.