February 15, 2015 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Sunday Mass: Vigil 4pm; 9am, 11am Daily Mass: Mon - Fri: 9am Morning Prayer 8:45am Eucharistic Adoration Thursdays 6:30 - 7:30pm Confessions Available First Saturday Mass: 9am

St. Athanasius Church 300 Haverhill St, Reading, 01867 Mon-Fri 9am-4pm www.StAthanasiusReading.org [email protected] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ StAthanasiusReading

Phone: 781-944-0330 Fax: 781-944-1266

Reconciliation: Saturdays 3:153:45pm and during Eucharistic Adoration. Baptism: Celebrated the 3rd Sunday at 1pm. Call to register for Baptism Prep. Anointing of the Sick: Notify the office when a person is seriously ill. Extraordinary Ministers are available to bring the Eucharist to the homebound. Marriage: Call at least 6 months in advance of your wedding.

February 15, 2015

St. Athanasius Parish, Reading, MA

Please pray for our military and civilians who defend our freedom, especially:

Saturday, February 14 4pm Mass for the People of St. Athanasius Sunday, February 15 9am Madeline DeAntonis 11am Kevin Kelly Memorial Mass Monday, February 16 9am Mass Tuesday, February 17 9am Mass Wednesday, February 18 9am Mass 3pm Ash Service 7pm Mass Thursday, February 19 9am Mass Friday, February 20 9am Mass Saturday, February 21 4pm Joseph DelGreco Sunday, February 22 9am Teresa Blewitt 11am Mass for the People of St. Athanasius

The 26th “Yankee” Brigade, and 1st Lt. Ryan Johnson, US Army, Patrick Cavanaugh, and PFC Kyle Lepore

Remember those in need of prayers, especially: Maryann Lucerto, Stephanie Lombardo-Saulnier, Gina Campagna, Margaret Sumner, John Cadigan, Mary McNerney, Mary Lou, Dianne, Bill, Joan D., Scott , Dan Hallidy, David S. Attachi Family, Olga Calautti, Haines Family, Stephen O’Neill, Kathy Oliveira, Carol McCarthy, Mary & Richard O., Shirley N., Mary OC, Bill L., Frank A., Angelo P. Tom Zerfas, Joseph P., Richard Stosez, Angelo P., Bill L., Joseph P., Cindy O'Connell, Paula, Richard M., Joanne Curran, Jimmy, Charles Morrison, Frank F., Frank DelGrecco, Barbara Coffin, Ken Hodgson, John F. O’Brien, Ruthie, John Tobin These names will stay in the Prayer Corner until Sunday, March 1st. Call the office or email [email protected] to add or renew your loved ones on the list.

M EETINGS & E VENTS

Altar Flowers in memory of Kevin Kelly Altar Candles donated by Anonymous

Monday, Feb 16 S CRIPTURE

FOR THE WEEK OF

F EBRUARY 15

Wednesday, Feb 18

15 SUN Lv 13:1-2, 44-46/1 Cor 10:31-11:1/Mk 1:40 -45 16 Mon Gn 4:1-15, 25/Mk 8:11-13 17 Tue Gn 6:5-8; 7:1-5, 10/Mk 8:14-21 18 Wed Jl 2:12-18/2 Cor 5:20-6:2/ Mt 6:1-6, 16-18 19 Thu Dt 30:15-20/Lk 9:22-25 20 Fri Is 58:1-9a/Mt 9:14-15 21 Sat Is 58:9b-14/Lk 5:27-3218 22 SUN Gn 9:8-15/1 Pt 3:18-22/Mk 1:12-15

Office Closed Ash Wednesday Masses

9am & 7pm

Family Service

3pm

Prayer Shawl

10:30 PAC

Adoration

6:30pm

Retrouvaille Post Sessions

3:30-9 PAC

Thursday, Feb 19

Saturday, Feb 21

Reading Food Pantry February donation suggestions:

W EEKLY O FFERTORY Mass Attendance: 375 First Collection: $4751 Deficit Reduction: $2227 Ash Wednesday Collection: Church in Africa, Central & Eastern Europe

Microwave Popcorn, 6 Pack of Snack Size Raisins, Brownie Mix, Jello Gelatin or Puddings, Kleenex/Toilet Tissue, Juice Boxes for School Lunches Cash Donations are also appreciated 2

February 15, 2015

St. Athanasius Parish, Reading, MA

F ROM

THE

P ASTOR

The English word “habit” carries the connotation of boring routine and uncreative predictability. That’s why my theological mentor in the seminary would always use the Latin word habitus to describe a person’s settled internal disposition when his or her actions have moral consequence. Bad moral habitus, or what we would call vice, lack conformity to doing what is good and thereby put us in conflict with God. Good moral habitus, or virtue, makes its possessor good, his or her actions good, and puts us in conformity to God. It is through the moral virtues that the Christian disciple is transformed by grace into a saint. It is true that, as the word implies, habitus is built by repetition. However, what makes a virtue different from any old, boring habit is that it makes us happy and joyful in addition to being good. This is why we should look at our Lord’s teaching as liberating and not constraining. Lent clearly is a time where we examine our habitus and seek to align them with the Gospel. This often requires a disciplined change of life, which is why Lent provides us with a period of time that we may experience as self-denial, but in another perspective is actually the process of building good habitus. With that reality in mind, I thought it might be a good idea to have the parish offer a simple and consistent weekly program that we can use as part of our Lenten disciplines to grow in spiritual closeness to God. Starting the First Sunday of Lent we will once again provide the opportunity for almsgiving with our Lenten Gospel Giving. Every Tuesday through Friday thereafter some spiritual exercise will be offered in the church of St. Athanasius Parish at 6:30 in the evening. Tuesday will be a Rosary sponsored by the Ladies Sodality with a Lenten scriptural reflection by Father Patrick. Wednesday we will continue the yearly “Light is On” opportunity for Confession. Thursday will be our usual Eucharistic Adoration and Friday will be Stations of the Cross accompanied by music that will also close with Benediction. This lent please give some serious thought to how you can change your spiritual routine so that the Lord is able to make you a better disciple.

Ash Wednesday Schedule

LADIES SODALITY

February 18th Mass 9:00 am Family Service 3: 00 pm Mass 7: 00 pm Join us for Eucharistic Adoration at St. Athanasius

LADIES SODALITY WILL BE MEETING SATURDAY FEBRUARY 28th @ 8:00am

Every Thursday from 6:30-7:30pm

IN THE PARISH CENTER. PLEASE CONSIDER JOINING US FOR AN

CONFESSION AVAILABLE

HOUR OF SERVICE AND PRAYER. 3

February 15, 2015

St. Athanasius Parish, Reading, MA

YOUTH MINISTRY: MIDDLE SCHOOLERS, HIGH SCHOOLERS, AND PARENTS

ST. ATHANASIUS OUTREACH PROGRAM

We'll be having a service day on Saturday, February 28th. More information will come next week.

IN AN EFFORT TO FORMALIZE, COORDINATE, AND EXPAND OUR OUTREACH MINISTRIES, ST. ATHANASIUS PARISH IS ASSEMBLING AN OUTREACH COMMITTEE. THE PURPOSE OF THIS COMMITTEE IS TO HELP MEET THE NEEDS OF PARISHIONERS WHO IN VARIOUS WAYS REQUIRE ASSISTANCE TO MORE FULLY PARTICIPATE IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE ARE LOOKING FOR INDIVIDUALS TO ASSIST IN THIS VITAL PROGRAM. AT THIS TIME WE ARE LOOKING FOR ONE PERSON TO COORDINATE THE WORK OF VOLUNTEERS WHO WILL MAKE HOME VISITATIONS AND ANOTHER TO COORDINATE A PROGRAM TO PROVIDE RIDES TO CHURCH FOR THOSE WHO CAN NO LONGER DRIVE THEMSELVES.

If you'd like to help out or take a leadership role in the St. Athanasius and St. Agnes Youth Ministry program, our next Youth Commission meeting is Sunday, March 1st at 7-8pm at the St. Athanasius Parish Center. Parents and youth are welcome to join. Our next Youth Night will take place on Saturday, March 21st at 7-9pm. Please RSVP with Brad if planning on attending. If you have any questions or interest please feel free to email Brad at 585-200-2831 or [email protected].

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN HEADING UP ONE OF THESE “SUB-COMMITTEES” PLEASE CONTACT ELLEN TERRY @ [email protected] OR CALL 1-781-9445431. IN THE NEAR FUTURE WE WILL BE SOLICITING VOLUNTEERS TO HELP WITH ANY NUMBER OF OUTREACH MINISTRIES AND MATCHING THEM WITH INDIVIDUALS WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM THE GENEROUS CHARITY THEY OFFER. PLEASE CONSIDER HELPING TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THOSE PARISHIONERS WHOSE ABSENCE SO OFTEN GOES UNNOTICED.

Peace, Brad Agostinelli St. Athanasius and St. Agnes Youth Ministry Follow us and stay updated with social media! -Instagram @saintasyouth (#ReadingCatholicYM) -St. Athanasius and St. Agnes Youth Ministry Facebook page (#ReadingCatholicYM)

Winter 2015 8-week Daytime Bereavement Support Group Offered by the VNA of Middlesex East

For adults who have lost a loved one The death of a loved one is hard to bear. You can find empathy and understanding at our bereavement support group. Looking forward to meeting you…

CALLING ALL PARENTS WITH CHILDREN AGES 2 -5! JOIN US FOR OUR ST. ATHANASIUS PARENTS AND TOTS MONTHLY GET TOGETHER This once-a-month outreach program provides parents and their children an opportunity to explore our catholic faith through simple bible stories and activities that are fun and educational. This program also gives parents an opportunity to connect with and meet other church community members with children of the same age. THIS PROGRAM WILL BEGIN FEBRUARY 15th IN THE PARISH CENTER (PAC) IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE 9:00 MASS. We look forward to seeing you there!

The group will meet on the following Thursday afternoons:

February 19th March 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th TIME: 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Open to the community G ROUPS

ARE FREE OF CHARGE

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED Space is Limited Please call for information & to reserve a space:

Suzie Yoffe, Bereavement Coordinator VNA of Middlesex East & Visiting Nurse Hospice 781-224-3399

4

February 15, 2015

St. Athanasius Parish, Reading, MA

To assist ST. ATHANASIUS PARISH families in the practice of almsgiving during this Lenten season we are all encouraged to participate in our

LENTEN GOSPEL GIVING EACH WEEKEND, members of the parish (old, young, and in-between) are asked to bring one item (to whichever Mass they attend)

as suggested by the readings of the day and indicated below There will also be a Lenten Gospel Giving reminder each week’s Bulletin. FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT: February 21—22 “The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert.” Collect: items for our troops in the desert through “Helping our Troops” Bar Soap, Body Wash, Bounce Sheets, Chap Stick, Roll-on Deodorant, Q-Tips, disposable razors. Room Fresheners, Shampoo, Conditioner, Sun block, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Handy-wipes, moisturizer, wet-naps, band-aids, shaving cream, mouthwash, baby wipes, tooth picks, dental floss, nail files, odor eaters, feminine hygiene products, hand sanitizers, insect repellant. (Hotel sized miniatures of toiletries are great.) Tylenol, eye Drops, Foot Powder, aspirin, Rolaids, Pepto Bismol, Tums, Imodium AD, Cortisone cream, Motrin, Vitamin C Chews etc. SEE THE COMPLETE LIST ON POSTERS AT THE CHURCH ENTRANCES

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT: February 28—March 1 “. . . and his clothes became dazzling white, so as no fuller on earth could bleach them.” Collect: whiteners, soap, laundry detergent, etc. “Reading Food Pantry”

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT: March 7—8 “Jesus was speaking of his body (and ours) as temples of God ” Bring $5.00 or $10.00 food market cards “Catholic Charities”

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT: March 14—15 “. . .this is the verdict, that the light came into the world.” Collect: 60/75 watt light bulbs “Mission of Deeds” & USED EYE GLASSES

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT: March 21—22 “Unless a grain of wheat falls . . . and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat.” Collect: boxes of cereal “Reading Food Pantry”

PALM SUNDAY of the LORD’S PASSION : March 28—29 “Many people spread their cloaks on the road . . .crying out: Hosanna!” Collect: sweaters, flannel shirts, sweat shirts & “hoodies” [all ages] for “Lazarus House”

AND

HOLY THURSDAY:

APRIL 2 through the

2nd Sunday of Easter/Divine Mercy Sunday April 12 “He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciple’s feet and dried them with the towel around his waist” Collect: adult size white athletic sox for the Boston Health Care for the Homeless 5

February 15, 2015

St. Athanasius Parish, Reading, MA

Parish Staff

Scouts Attend Mass

Pastor ………………………………. Reverend Darin V. Colarusso [email protected]

Troop 735 attended the 9:00 Mass and hosted the coffee hour on February 8, Scout Sunday.

Parochial Vicar………………………..Reverend Patrick Armano [email protected] Permanent Deacon………………………….Deacon Neil Sumner [email protected] Permanent Deacon…………..….………...Deacon Matt Baltier [email protected] Administrative Office Manager………………….. Nancy Sieger [email protected] Coordinator of Religious Ed……………………….. Jo-Ann Rossi (Grades 1-5) [email protected] Music Director..………………………………………..John Donovan [email protected] Business Manager……………………………………...Janine Castro [email protected] Administrative Assistant ……………………….. Luann Barretto [email protected] Youth Ministry……………………………………….Brad Agostinelli [email protected]

JOIN BOY SCOUTING Troop 704 from Reading will host visitors interested in joining our troop on Thursday, February 26th 2015. The meeting will start at 7:04 PM in the First Congregational Church basement, 25 Woburn St, Reading. Scouting is available to boys who are at least 10 years old but not yet 18 years old. Scouting combines educational activities and lifelong values with FUN. Here is a partial list of activities that boys can participate in: camping, hiking, skiing, sailing, ice fishing, and white water rafting. Scouts will also have the opportunity for advancement to Eagle. Contact: Joseph White (Scoutmaster) at 781944-3944 or [email protected]. RSVP if possible, but not required.

Bulletin Submissions [email protected] By Monday 9 am

Donation Opportunities for Special Items Heating Oil (1 week) 1 Month of Altar candles Flowers for the week Bread & Wine for the week

Coffee Hour We need hosts for February & March Contact Sophie at 781-944-9085 or sign up in the Parish Center . 6

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“Be a Servant” Matthew 20:26

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CALL (617)797-4718 North Reading . OSullivanLawPC.com

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Saint Athanasius Parish of Reading, MA